Summary

The Technician independently operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the FxHCC. The technician performs a full range of standards - but complex examinations including overnight sleep studies - MSLT and PAP. They are responsible for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to PSG tracings.

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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) - GS-8Experience
• 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
• 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
• Selective Placement Factor: Must have experience with Day Time EEG - MLST - and Outpatient CPAP Devices 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 G27Physical Requirements: The MIT (Polysomnography) must meet the physical requirements to provide pulmonary function and diagnostic testing: 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 The MIT (Polysomnography) may be required to function as sole Clinician in the Pulmonary Services area if circumstances dictate

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: 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) - and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols
• Complete and verify documentation
• Explain pre-testing - testing - and post-testing procedures to the patient
• Equipment: The technician will operate computerized polysomnography for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG - EOG - EKG - EMG - and respiratory parameters
• Polysomnographic Record Scoring: The technician will score sleep/wake stages by applying professional accepted guidelines
• Medical Terminology: The technician will know medical terminology - anatomy - physiology as it relates to sleep disorders
• Testing: The Polysomnography (PSG) technician will utilize standard or alternate position for patients with common physical disabilities for the procedure being performed
• Patient Safety: The PSG technician will know the typical patient reaction to the neuro diagnostic procedure being performed and know signs of patient distress
• Work Schedule: Virtual: This is not a virtual position.