Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) in Biloxi, Mississippi, is a 1c facility comprised of a medical facility, community living center, blind rehabilitation center, primary care, specialty care, and community-based outpatient clinics. The incumbent displays knowledge of and proficiency in polysomnography (PSG) testing positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.

Duties

Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12619373-25-LC. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) included but are not limited to: Polysomnography (PSG) Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions that may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Provides education to patients related to procedures and studies to be performed; secures the cooperation of patients by explaining procedures to obtain optimal results. Ability to conduct full sleep studies, including overnight studies, and evaluate the relationship of events and sleep stages as they relate to possible medical conditions related to sleep. Independently performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include, but are not limited to, PSG, PAP titration, split night, and Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) testing procedures. Possesses knowledge of equipment used to perform testing including functional characteristics, operating capabilities, and operator adjustments of the instrumentation. Verifies instrument function by performing calibrations before a study is started and after the study has been completed. Ensures proper signals and adjusts as necessary. Independently implements appropriate therapeutic interventions, such as PAP and oxygen therapy, to appropriate levels per established protocols. Performs PSG data acquisition while monitoring study tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and makes adjustments as necessary. Documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of study results. Scores sleep/ wake stages and clinical events by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/ wake and clinical event data. Home Sleep Testing (HST) Provides step-by-step instructions for home sleep testing including information on the device, how and when to use the device, and how and when to return the device. Provides oral, visual, and written instructions on HST units including placement of the device, placement of the sensors, powering on the device, and removing the device to end testing. Issues HST devices in person in the clinic, by mail with disposable devices, or by a contracted vendor. Devices will be packaged with all necessary sensors and batteries and will be shipped using a service with tracking capabilities. Clinic Management Receives patients in clinic; performs and documents vital signs, neck size, and weight. Assists patients with the completion of questionnaires and additional information including, but not limited to, chief complaints, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Stop Score, sleep habits/ symptoms, etc. Provides education to patients related to PAP device setup and use; secures the confidence and cooperation of patients by explaining equipment and procedures to obtain optimal results. Assists with the completion of electronic consults, answering provider secure messages, and responding to telephone messages. Dedicated to providing same day service for needs of patients who have been seen in clinic, including, but not limited to mask fitting, troubleshooting PAP device problems, PAP therapy initiation and management, pressure adjustments, issuing HST equipment, desensitization, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Pay: When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01100F/ 01101F/ 01068F/ 01069F/ 01070F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. Language. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Medical Instrument Technologist (Trainee), GS-04Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level.OR,Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Medical Instrument Technologist (Trainee), GS-05Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level.OR,Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), GS-6Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate and operate the equipment and recognize and eliminate recording artifacts. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. Certification. No certification or registration is required at this level. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Medical Instrument Technologist (Polysomnography), GS-07 & GS-08 - Please see the education section of this announcement for these requirements. Preferred Experience: Minimum three years experience as Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) or equivalent. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G27, Medical Instrument TechnologistQualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), GS-7.

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices.
2. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.
3. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy.
4. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations.
5. Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep. This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings.

Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), GS-8

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders.
2. Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form.
3. Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) and ability to take appropriate action.
4. Ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians.

Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Leslie Cruz
• Phone: 228-260-3377
• Email: [email protected]