Summary

The Polysomnography Technologist works under the general supervision of the Sleep Lab Supervisor and/or clinical director (M.D.) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography - diagnostic and therapeutic services or patent care and education. Can provide supervision to a Polysomnography trainee.

Qualifications

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
• 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: MITs 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)
• Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Polysomnography Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep
• Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the criteria discussed in the applicable headings - or that defined in the appendices - must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-9 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide all aspects of polysomnography services and is defined as: 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
• AND The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures - to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects - and to write policies - procedures - and protocols - that pertain to Polysomnography
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• Certification: Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• Preferred Experience: Five years of experience in polysomnography

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Administrative: The Polysomnographic Technologist must be up to date on all policies and procedures
• Clinical: Collect - analyze and integrate patient information In order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs - 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
• Informs patients on usage of all PAP equipment during titration studies
• Testing Preparation Procedures: Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting
• Polysomnographic Procedures: Follow procedural protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data
• Follow \"lights out' procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position
• ox hemoglobin saturation - respiratory and heart rates - etc.) Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments - if necessary
• Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events - changes in procedure and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and Interpretation of polysomnographic results
• Implement appropriate interventions (Including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure - oxygen administration - etc.) Inspire fine tuning
• Documents baseline - makes changes in Inspire voltages to ensure a quality signal free of artifact
• Follow \"lights on' procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process
• Polysomnographic Record Scoring: Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines
• Score clinical events(such as respiratory events
• cardiac events - limb movements
• arousals etc. -) according to center specific protocols
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data
• Upon request for an emergency procedure with an immediate report - the results will be shown to the interpreting physician as soon as the test is completed and often must convey the report to the requesting physician
• Although not responsible for interpretation of the results - the incumbent must know through experience how to recognize abnormalities and promptly bring them to the attention of the supervisor
• The incumbent shall review the patient's chart and record pertinent symptoms - medical history - medications and other lab results
• PAP Monitoring: As a diagnostic tool - applies CPAP - BPAP - ASV and AVAP when performing polysomnogram studies per physician's diagnosis and request while continuously monitoring equipment in use
• Makes independent judgment for changes in the setting of air pressure needed in each individual case
• As a diagnostic tool - introduces supplemental oxygen - with or without positive pressure therapy - and titrate oxygen dose as necessary upon physician's request
• Work Schedule: 7:00pm - 7:00am
• Wednesday - Thursday - Friday and alternating Saturday Compressed: Yes - this position is a compressed tour Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized