Summary

The Sleep Disorders Center is part of the Pulmonary Medicine section. 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).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizenship of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) b
• 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
• c
• 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
• d
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• e
• 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
• 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
• (a) 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 (b) 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
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 Preferred Experience: Mandatory-RPSG Previous supervisory experience

Duties

• CLINICAL & PATIENT CARE 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)
• Scans and examines environment of recording to detect and eliminate possible sources of artifacts - recognizes artifacts as they occur in real time
• works rapidly to diagnose and eliminate artifacts - in order to preserve the integrity of recording
• Monitors patient - diagnostic equipment - recording and video equipment throughout the night
• obtains artifact-free data and tracings
• record significant observations such as sleep stage - heart rate - respiration rate - oxygen saturation level - body position
• presence and/or absence of sleep apnea - snoring - tumescence - nocturnal myoclonus - nocturnal seizures - bruxism - cardiac arrhythmias - and night terrors
• Maintains proper equipment function and data collection
• responds appropriately to all situations involving patient care
• maintains proper oxygen and PAP setting
• Under the supervision of the pulmonary and sleep providers - conducts initial screening of patients referred for evaluation
• 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
• Perform electroencephalogram and home sleep testing and evaluate results
• 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
• Equipment Operation - Repair - Maintenance and Supply Cleans and assembles equipment
• Prepares - calibrates - interfaces - and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures
• Troubleshoot and calibrate polysomnography - computer - oximeters - movement monitors and patient electrodes prior to the onset of each recording
• Orders and maintains an adequate amount of supplies
• Calibrates all the equipment used for the polysomnographic procedure
• Makes minor repairs to equipment used for sleep disorders evaluation
• Performs operator maintenance of EEG equipment (e.g. - disassembles machine - cleans and oils parts and makes repairs or replaces parts) as required
• Sharpens - cleans and sterilizes electrodes
• Employs various bacteriostatic agents and techniques to clean - disinfect - and sterilize equipment
• The incumbent understands electrical safety and recognizes unsafe recording equipment and environments
• Performs proper corrective actions
• Recognizes signs of patient distress or clinical instability and takes appropriate action to provide emergent care
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0600-1430 Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement # 49591F