Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician - under the supervision of the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) under the Sleep Disorders Center Director - displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all Sleep diagnostic and treatment procedures and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines and protocols established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine - BVAHCS Sleep Disorders Center and procedures of the Birmingham VA Medical Center.

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
• 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
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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 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: 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
• 5
• Extensive knowledge of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy - adjusting PAP settings - mask fitting - downloading - and troubleshooting PAP equipment
• 6
• Ability to educate patients on the care - use - maintenance of and assess response to PAP equipment
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year experience in polysomnography
• 3 years highly desirable
• RPSGT (Registration by Board of Polysomnographic Technologist) highly desirable
• Home sleep study experience highly desirable CPAP setup - troubleshooting - management experience highly desirable Reliable - self-motivated - courteous - team player - able to work independently and with others in a professional manner
• 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing
• clear - distinctive speech
• and manual dexterity
• The position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting - telephone and computer usage - walking - standing - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring of equipment/objects may be required.

Duties

• * Initial training of up to 6 months to be completed on site at the Birmingham VA Medical Center
• After completing competencies - the employee will be stationed at the Huntsville Community Based Outpatient Clinic
• The incumbent is responsible for rendering Sleep Disorders Center services ordered by and in collaboration with the physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision
• A Sleep Technician works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician Polysomnography under the Sleep Disorders Center Director or designee in the Neurology Section - to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders
• Assigned Duties but are not limited to: Displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all Sleep diagnostic and treatment procedures and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines and protocols established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine - Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS) Neurology Sleep Disorders Center - and procedures of the BVAHCS
• Interacts fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare
• Performs positive airway pressure therapy desensitization assessments - set/download/troubleshoot and adjust positive airway pressure devices - prepare and complete documentation for reports
• Responsible for interpreting doctor's orders prior to setting up equipment and determine if equipment will allow the specified pressure ranges ordered
• Responsible for testing and troubleshooting equipment set-up problems with regards to equipment to treat sleep disordered breathing - including but not limited to positive airway pressure (PAP) equipment issued to the patient
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) devices and mask fitting
• Works directly with Prosthetics and Denver Logistics Center to procure necessary PAP equipment and parts
• Responsible for the content - implementation - education - and revision of all educational material available for diagnosing and treating veterans with sleep disorders
• Instructs patients on sleep disorders - including but not limited to obstructive and central sleep apnea - adequate sleep hygiene - sleep safety - etc
• Responsible to communicate both orally and in writing with individuals from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds - providing education to both veterans and hospital personnel as needed
• Responsible for sleep and PAP education and follow up
• Responsible for updating and maintaining accurate and current data in the PAP equipment databases
• Responsible for consult review - addressing sleep technical patient questions - and PAP data downloads
• Anticipates problems likely to occur and prepares for such situations - suggest changes in established procedures - or recommend alternative courses of action
• Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: May be available on an ad hoc basis after probationary period - if meets criteria
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:521-FS-22 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required