The incumbent will function as a Sleep Technician (Medical Instrument Technician) in the Sleep Disorders Center Testing Unit. The incumbent will perform and score a wide variety of polysomnographic studies in the Sleep Center: routine polysomnogram, PAP titration studies including CPAP, Bi-level, and complex studies, including but not limited to ASV, AVAPS/iVAPS, MSLT, PAP naps, home sleep testing (HST), and Inspire. The incumbent is capable of setting up positive airway pressure devices. 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, 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: GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician Requirements. (a) 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 position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR, 1. Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 Medical Instrument Technician Requirements. (a) 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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR, (b) Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Requirements. (a) 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: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. 2. 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. 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. 4. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). 5. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Requirements. (a) 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: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. 2. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. 3. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. 4. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations. 5. 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 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Requirements. (a) 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: (b) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required. Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies. Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required. Manual dexterity and mobility are required. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching may be necessary. Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required. Intermittent exertion is possible. Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer. Sound judgement and ability to function under stress is required. Inappropriate actions/judgment, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death. ["The major duties of this position include: The duties as described above are to be carried out in accordance with the standard procedures for performing, scoring, and reviewing polysomnography and other sleep studies. The incumbent will also meet the following criteria: Trouble shoot and repair as necessary EEG, EKG, EOG, EMG. CO2, 02, and respiratory monitoring equipment. Recognize when situation is above his/her skill level and ask for assistance of the supervisor. Will be timely and accurate with patient hook up utilizing the international 10-20 system of measurement. Deliver compassionate quality care to our veteran population. Educate the Veteran and his/her family on procedures performed and on equipment issued. Titrate patients on CPAP/bi-level therapy devices, auto-servo ventilation devices, AVAPS/iVAPS devices, Inspire devices. Perform PAP naps, MSLT, MWT, HST studies. Clean and sanitize equipment following in-lab studies, maintain clean equipment, and similarly clean, sanitize, and maintain HST equipment. Receive consults and view alerts for initial set up of and changes to PAP equipment, pressure settings, comfort levels, mask size and type, humidification, and supplemental oxygen. Coordinate oxygen needs with VA Home Oxygen Coordinator. Coordinator with Prosthetics to provide appropriate equipment to patients. Ensure that patient and/or family understand the function, maintenance, and cleaning of all PAP equipment issued to him/her. Complete and verify documentation of set up and training in the patient electronic medical record. Review remote download data, accurately interpret the data, and make necessary changes to pressure, masks, etc. Download PAP chips, PAP devices and HST units in clinics, and from and to storage sites. Perform follow-up calls and trouble shoot issues over the phone with Veterans. Recognize when a change in device type is required to adequately treat the Veteran. Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication. Utilize computer-based technologies to view and retrieve medical information and insert reports. Recognize and treat complex patients and readily adapt to changing situations. Able to stay calm and work effectively with multiple walk-in patients, phone calls, and interruptions. Perform home sleep testing set up, download, and scoring in a timely and accurate manner. Maintain good records in CPRS and other databases about visits, phone calls, etc. Actively participate in quality assurance and organizational performance improvement activities. Work Schedule: 7:00pm to 7:30am Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]

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