Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)
What you'd do
The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is assigned to the Sleep Disorders Center (SDC) within the Portland Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The MIT reports directly to the Supervisory MIT of the SDC, who reports through the Respiratory Care Manager, the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) and the Clinical Director of the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine (DHSM).
Major duties
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF PRACTICE: Collects and analyzes information (i.e., age, physical/cognitive limitations, emotional/physiological status surrounding procedure, relevant medical/social history) from the patient, their medical record and inpatient and outpatient wards personnel to identify and meet care requirements during the procedure. Able to utilize available mechanical lifts when needed. Determines final testing parameters and procedures in conjunction with SDC and ordering physician or clinical director protocols. Accurately documents and summarizes polysomnographic data and patient encounters in electronic medical records (EMR) and other appropriate systems according to SDC and VA standards. Effectively communicates with staff, patients and their families and caregivers while maintaining protected health information and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act policies. Fully performs providers' requests and consults them for guidance when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is required. Monitoring: Conducts various procedures, including, but not limited to, diagnostic nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG), positive airway pressure and upper airway stimulation titrations, parasomnia studies, multiple sleep latency tests, maintenance of wakefulness tests, home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) and actigraphy. The MIT may provide an HSAT if a patient arrives and declines an NPSG. Tests, calibrates and troubleshoots monitoring devices to ensure proper functioning prior to beginning procedures. Evaluates clinical presentation of sleep and arousal disorders to determine appropriate parameters and final procedures to meet patients' needs. Provides clear and thorough documentation of all interactions and observations during procedures by using proper templates within the acquisition software and EMR. Titrations: Administers supplemental oxygen and applies and maintains noninvasive ventilatory (i.e., CPAP, Bilevel S, ST, ASV, IVAPS) and nonventilatory (i.e., oral mandibular advancement device and UAS) therapies outlined in the SDC's standard operating procedures and/or prescribed by patients' physicians. Determines appropriate PAP pressures, interfaces and desensitization and dispenses diagnostic medical equipment and accessories, including reordering information, as needed. Provides patient education regarding use of PAP equipment and accessories. Electrode Application: Accurately measures and applies electrodes and other sensors in a timely manner as outlined in the SDC's SOP and in accordance with American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines. Ensures electrode impedances meet SDC standards. Work Schedule: 1st week, M-TH, 7:00pm-6:30am; 2nd week, (M, 7pm-600am), T & W 7:00pm-6:30am Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available
What you need to qualify
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. 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 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-6 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate and operate the equipment and recognize and eliminate recording artifacts. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. GS-7 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 the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations. Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep. This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings. 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 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year experience, RPSGT preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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