Summary

The Polysomnography Technician works under the general supervision of the Chief - Respiratory Care and the Sleep Lab Medical Director. The incumbent proceeds in his/her work using independent judgment and following guidelines set by departmental and hospital policies. The supervisor places considerable reliance on technician's knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures but is available for consultation and advice if situation warrants.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• 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)
• GS -08 Grade Determinations: Preferred 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 overall knowledge - skills - and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases
• 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
• 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-8.

Duties

• The Polysomnography technician must have the ability to work independently without direct supervision while recording physiologic data during nocturnal polysomnography or daytime testing
• Must be able to properly prepare patients for all types of studies and accurately perform bio calibration and machine calibration
• Technician has the immediate responsibility for monitoring the safety of patients in the lab - some of which are vulnerable to life threatening cardiac and/or pulmonary emergencies
• The technician must be able to recognize these emergencies - provide competent care
• Technician must be competent in basic life support and operation of the AED
• Prior to performing each sleep study - the technician must review patient's medical history and physician's notes and orders in the patient's chart
• After the study - writes a brief note describing the procedure and outcome in the patient's chart
• Assigned Duties : - 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)
• - Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols
• - Review the patient's history and verify the medical order
• - Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study
• - When patient arrives - verify identification - collect documents and obtain consent for the study .- Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing
• - Provide age-appropriate patient education
• - Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and adjust - if necessary
• - Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards
• - Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization Work Schedule: 07:30am -4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized