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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)-SIGN ON Bonus Near Indianapolis, IN

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/29/2024

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.
• Must pass a physical examination
• Must be proficient in both spoken and written English language.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Preferred Experience:

• Maintain BCLS Certification
• Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology; or successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a sleep technician.
• Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnograhic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential.

At the GS-8, applicant must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: performs at a level of excellence in all sleep-related diagnostic testing, PAP procedures, and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and policies and procedures. Applicants must also demonstrate and document the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
1. Advanced knowledge of 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 characteristic (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, Part II, Appendix G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision, no color or night blindness; Lifting 30 lbs.; Pushing 65 lbs.; Repeated stooping; Repeated bending; Repeated twisting; Prolonged standing and walking; Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time

Responsibilities:

Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) of the Sleep Lab Clinic within the Medicine Service of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center are to include, but not limited to:

Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up

• 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 and sleep physician recommendations and laboratory protocols.
• Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.

Sleep Study Procedures

• Follow procedural protocols [such as Polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Follow 'lights out' procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct, and document artifact.
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such PAP, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow 'lights on' procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g., repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
• Score sleep/wake stages
• Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
• Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
• Demonstrate adherence to AASM Scoring Manual parameters for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals, and study failures and generate an accurate report.

Service Management and Essential Skills

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
• Document all data.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrate customer service skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate teamwork skills. Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.
• Demonstrate ability to follow direction.
• Respond to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Provide patient education utilizing sleep facility specific protocols.
• Adhere to sleep facility policies related to quality assurance.
• Evaluate sleep study-related equipment and inventory.
• Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Comply with professional standards of conduct.
• Assist the supervisor in all aspects of sleep facility operations, including management of sleep-related consults.
• Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
• Participate in in-services, education, departmental quality assurance, and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.

Work Schedule: (3) 12- hour shifts (1) 4-hour shift
Compressed/Flexible: Yes
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment Incentives: Incentives are authorized for this vacancy but subject to funding.
Recruitment incentive is authorized for highly qualified candidates
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary