Job Summary

This position is located in the Pulmonary Section, Sleep Lab, of Medical Service at the VA New Jersey Health Care System Medical Center. The Medical Instrument Technician operates and monitors computerized and other equipment in the Sleep Laboratory to obtain high quality polysomnographic studies. The technician is responsible for performance of sleep monitoring studies, occasionally assisting in technical analysis. The work is performed during an evening tour to accommodate a 40 hour week.

Job Description

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 for applicants to have Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography): Experience: Candidates must possess 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. Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: Performs sleep monitoring (PSG) on individuals with variety of sleep disorders, prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures, recognize sleep apnea, sleep movements, nocturnal seizures, and parasomnias such as nocturnal myoclonus and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder; makes adjustments in recording parameters to optimize performance of sleep studies, monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; records significant observations, prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures, perform a full range of standard, routine examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test), and PAP (Positive Airway Pressure Titration). AND; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography): Experience: Candidates must possess 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. Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: orients patients regarding nature and purpose of procedures being performed. Maintains a good rapport with patient to ensure maximum relaxation and cooperation is attained during the procedures. Calibrates and adjust equipment to obtain an accurate and technically acceptable record. Performs and appropriately documents all types of sleep disorder studies as specified by the Physician's order. Incumbent documents pertinent events and changes during the study. They maintain a log of patient data. Incumbent reports pertinent and significant data from previous night to Chief Technologist/Physician in charge of the department. Recognizes technical, mechanical, and patient-induced artifacts and takes appropriate steps to eliminate them. Incumbent follows specific protocol for oxygen and CPAP administration. They intervene promptly and appropriately for respiratory and cardiac emergencies. Maintains and organizes the sleep laboratory and patient area before and after the patient leaves to ensure cleanliness and patient safety. Incumbent conducts weekly inventory, ordering supplies to replenish stock levels. Performs light clerical duties as needed. They perform a full range of standard, but complex, polysomnography examinations with responsibility for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to the beginning of the PSG tracing and selection of appropriate electrode montages and sensitivity and filter settings to elicit the best possible tracings. AND; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography): Experience: Candidates must possess 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. Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: 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. They have knowledge of Bi-level pressure titrations. They have knowledge of advanced pressure titrations including Bi-level spontaneous/timed and Auto Servo-Ventilation. They 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 polysomnographic recordings. They have knowledge of advanced sleep study tracings such as seizure activity and parasomnias including REM Behavior Disorder. AND; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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: RPSGT Credential, NJ State Polysomnography License, CPR Certification. 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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08.