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.
English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a of the qualification standards.
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.
Grade Determinations:
GS8 MIT-Polysomnography Experience: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS7 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 which provided a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders.
GS8 MIT-Polysomnography Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders
- Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form
- Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) and ability to take appropriate action
- 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.
Preferred Experience: Registered Polysomnographic technologist certification
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Incumbent exercises physical effort in the performance of duties-continually standing, bending, walking, stooping, frequently pushing and pulling patients stretchers and mobile imaging equipment, occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to thirty pounds. Position also requires operation of the computer keyboard which requires frequent involvement (flexion and extension) of both wrists. Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees. Eyestrain may be encountered. Work is performed in areas having adequate heating and cooling and is exposed to disagreeable odors and minor injuries. Portable examinations may be required, which entail transporting equipment to bedside and examining the patient on the ward.