Summary
Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) perform sleep-related diagnostic testing, PAP procedures, and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Recruitment Incentive: Authorized
Duties
Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) of the Sleep Lab Clinic within the Medicine Service of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center are to include, but not limited to:
Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up
- Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).
- Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician and sleep physician recommendations and laboratory protocols.
- Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
- Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
- Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
Sleep Study Procedures
- Follow procedural protocols [such as Polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.
- Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
- Follow "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
- Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct, and document artifact.
- Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such PAP, oxygen administration, etc.).
- Follow "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g., repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
- Score sleep/wake stages
- Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
- Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.
- Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
- Demonstrate adherence to AASM Scoring Manual parameters for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals, and study failures and generate an accurate report.
Service Management and Essential Skills
- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
- Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
- Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
- Document all data.
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
- Demonstrate customer service skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrate teamwork skills. Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.
- Demonstrate ability to follow direction.
- Respond to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
- Provide patient education utilizing sleep facility specific protocols.
- Adhere to sleep facility policies related to quality assurance.
- Evaluate sleep study-related equipment and inventory.
- Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
- Comply with professional standards of conduct.
- Assist the supervisor in all aspects of sleep facility operations, including management of sleep-related consults.
- Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
- Participate in in-services, education, departmental quality assurance, and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
Work Schedule: (3) 12- hour shifts + (1) 4-hour shift
Compressed/Flexible: Yes
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment Incentives: Incentives are authorized for this vacancy but subject to funding.
Recruitment incentive is authorized for highly qualified candidates
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Conditions of Employment
- Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/29/2024
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.
- Must pass a physical examination
- Must be proficient in both spoken and written English language.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Preferred Experience:
- Maintain BCLS Certification
- Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology; or successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a sleep technician.
- Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnograhic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential.
At the GS-8, applicant must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: performs at a level of excellence in all sleep-related diagnostic testing, PAP procedures, and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and policies and procedures. Applicants must also demonstrate and document the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
1. Advanced knowledge of 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 characteristic (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.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.
Physical Requirements: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision, no color or night blindness; Lifting 30 lbs.; Pushing 65 lbs.; Repeated stooping; Repeated bending; Repeated twisting; Prolonged standing and walking; Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C | Veterans Affairs.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc
. - Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- OF-306
- Other (1)
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/29/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12067814.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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