What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) position at Central Virginia VA Health Care System?
This position is for a Medical Instruments Technician (Polysomnography) at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, 1201 Broad Rock, Richmond , VA 23249.
Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.
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".
GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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).
GS-8
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:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
Assignment. This represents the full performance level. At this level Polysomnographic Technicians are 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.
Work Schedule: 0730 - 1600, Monday through Friday
Compressed/Flexible: not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
Telework: Not authorized.
Virtual: Not authorized.
Qualifications:
BASIC REQUIREMENTSCitizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.
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".
GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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).
GS-8
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:
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.
Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
Assignment. This represents the full performance level. At this level Polysomnographic Technicians are 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.
Responsibilities:
Duties:- The technician independently operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Integrated Sleep Disorders Center Richmond VAMC, VISN 6.
- The technician performs a full range of standard, but complex examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (multiple sleep latency tests), and PAP (positive airway pressure).
- They are responsible for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to PSG tracings.
- Independently determine the need for CPAP therapy.
- Provide briefings and orientation about sleep studies and lab policy to residents, fellows, and other personnel who may rotate thru department.
- Serve as mentor to lower level technicians.
- Duties at this level may involve more complex procedures (under closer supervision) to prepare the technician for promotion to higher levels.
Work Schedule: 0730 - 1600, Monday through Friday
Compressed/Flexible: not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
Telework: Not authorized.
Virtual: Not authorized.
Salary : $58,374