---

Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Near Buffalo, NY

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: US Citizens
Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions.
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.

For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under 'Titles and Certification/Registrations'. For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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.

Grade Determinations:

Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices.
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.

Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.

Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service.

Polysomnography Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).

In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must also meet the grade determinations for this position.

GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide the most complex polysomnography technician services.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.

1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
*2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program.
*3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.
*4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
*5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

Certification. Registration by the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Supervisory Polysomnographic Technician. Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing polysomnography technician services in more complex and non-standard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs


Preferred Experience:
- Registration of Polysomnographic Technologist
- Previous Supervisory experience

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Responsibilities:

Some duties include but are not limited to the below:

Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing polysomnography technician services in more complex and non-standard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; Participating as an instruction at the facility; clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs.

Conducts a variety of polysomnography tests: Nocturnal Polysomnography (NPSGs), Split Night Studies, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Positive Airway Pressure Titration (PAP), actigraphy, upper airway pressure monitoring, arterial blood gases, oxygen titration and portable diagnostic studies in difficult and demanding environments such as research, intensive care or rehabilitation environments.

Applies a variety of advanced ventilator techniques such as positive airway pressure (PAP), adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), non-invasive ventilation (NIV), etc. Explains procedures, and positions patient to insure patient comfort for optimal recording of EEG. When possible, anticipates and corrects patient discomfort, mechanical and electrical interference (artifacts). Assures appropriate and timely follow up when concerns or issues are raised. Evaluates the relationship of events, sleep stages and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. Obtain data measuring wake, sleep and breathing states and records various signals from the brain and airways, cardiac rate, oxygen saturation and position to enable the physician to assess and diagnose sleep and breathing disorders. Analyze and score patient data and summarize on report for physician interpretation. Monitor and initiate interventions for complications of testing and determine whether patient meets criteria for termination of testing. Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on the electroencephalographic records in real time (i.e., as the test is occurring).

Performs multiple sleep latency tests, and polygraphic overnight polysomnography (i.e., simultaneously monitoring two patients for polysomnography or one patient on long-term video EEG seizure monitoring and one undergoing polysomnography). Scores and interprets data obtained from all night recording. Explains any deviation from standard operating procedures.

Anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study, prepares for such situations and makes changes in established procedures. The supervisor assigns work by defining objectives, priorities and deadlines as well as provide guidance on the assignments that do not have clear precedents. The incumbent develops instructions for the subordinates to follow in regard to procedural techniques, quality checks on the various equipment and instrumentation using manufacturer recommendations and standards of practice according to national guidelines for the sleep lab. Shares information with the program team and provides information in writing to Sleep Services; Chief of Respiratory Care or to the Medical Director for Sleep Medicine, when indicated. Provides additional services and performs other duties as needs are identified within the VAWNY HCS, and Sleep clinic. Assists with achievement of accreditation of the sleep center by the American Association for Sleep Medicine (AASM) and is responsible for all activities related to maintaining accreditation. Manages the inter-scorer reliability program and keeps the AASM Reference Manual and Practice Parameters current. Attends and participates in professional meetings and workshops to develop an awareness of new techniques and procedures.

Work Schedule: M-F 6am-2:30
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary