Duties
The technologist gathers and analyzes patient information and integrates that information to identify and meet the patient specific needs (including but not limited to physical/mental/emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, sleep complaints and habits, pertinent medical, family and social history, medications/allergies) and performs polysomnographic studies on patients with known or suspected sleep disorders. This includes but is not limited to attended and unattended baseline polysomnograms (PSG), PSG with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and BiPAP, addition of supplemental oxygen when needed, split night studies, studies with expanded EEG montage, RBD montage, multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWT), auto-PAP studies, and other types of sleep studies, including home sleep studies. The technologist performs other job-related duties as requested.
Testing Preparation Procedures:
- The technologist prepares for patient arrival by setting up equipment to be used, gathering necessary patient information, verifying the montage to be used, preparing PSG, PAP, video and audio equipment and obtaining patient questionnaires. The technologist greets the patient and ensures patient comfort. Reviews existing patient information in patient record. Examines orders and protocols for study. Interviews the patient to assess current medications, allergies, recent caffeine or alcohol ingestion, current sleep problems and habits, and need for treatment interventions during testing (use of inhalers, insulin, etc). Efficient application of recording devices to the patient; cleaning/sterilization of equipment and proper set up for monitoring of studies. Ensures the integrity of diagnostic data collection through proper calibration and set-up. Obtains pre-study patient questionnaires. Explains set-up and testing procedures to patient, explains PAP treatment and fits PAP masks, provides PAP orientation/education.
Sleep Testing Procedures:
- The technologist follows established procedural protocols to ensure accurate and appropriate collection of data. The technologist vigilantly monitors equipment to record breathing (airflow/respiratory effort), respiratory inductive plethysmography, electroencephalograms (brain waves), electrocardiograms (heart rate and rhythm), electromyograms (muscle activity), pulse oximetry (blood oxygenation/saturation) and other equipment to provide various treatment modalities. The technologist documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in patient position, changes in procedure, patient behaviors, and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results. The technologist recognizes normal and abnormal sleep, is able to quickly and accurately identify various abnormalities during sleep including but not limited to parasomnias, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, abnormal limb/EMG activity, hypoxia, and take appropriate action per sleep lab protocols. The technologist is proficient in efficiently setting up and monitoring patients with expanded EEG montage. The technologist is adept at recognizing and quickly correcting artifact on the sleep recordings during collection. Obtains post-study patient questionnaire. Informs the physician of any study that requires immediate attention due to the acute nature of the finding on the study eg arrhythmias, severe hypoxia etc. The technologist may perform special procedures, portable monitoring, and other patient education as necessary. The technologist may perform multiple or concurrent studies per AASM guidelines. The technologist ensures that reliable information is being recorded as well as making careful observations of the patient's behavior. The technologist reviews the polysomnogram during data acquisition. The review and scoring of data (on the fly) is an integral part of the job in order to justify the initiation of appropriate treatment modalities for the treatment of sleep disorders associated with respiration. The technologist determines treatment efficacy (appropriate treatment pressures and appropriate, supplemental oxygen levels) required to treat these respiratory disorders. He/she identifies normal/abnormal breathing patterns, artifacts, human sleep stages, abnormal cardiac activity and abnormal EMG activity to provide a preliminary diagnosis, in order to justify the initiation of treatment during the performance of split night polysomnograms. The technologist must recognize recording artifact and remove this artifact when present. The polysomnographic technologist records observational data accurately and concisely and summarizes clinical events pertinent to a patient's recording.
Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm,
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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.
- Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
GS-8
- (a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- 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.
- (c) 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.
- (d) Assignment. This represents the full performance level. At this level Polysomnographic Technicians are able to interact fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. They are able to conduct full sleep studies including overnight studies and evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. They anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations, make changes in established procedures, or recommend alternative courses of action. They are able to mentor lower graded technicians.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45+ lbs); moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); light lifting (under 15 lbs); heavy carrying (45+ lbs); moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); light carrying (under 15 lbs); straight pulling; pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; crawling; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, legs only; climbing use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, specific visual requirement; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); hearing without aid. Transferring patients & objects may be required, protective clothing in isolation situation or operative/ invasive procedures, may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium. Work may be performed inside around electrical energy; slippery surfaces; working closely with others; working alone.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
- 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.
How to Apply
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 03/13/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12704693.
- 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.