Summary

Medical Instrument Technician proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all Sleep Diagnostic procedures and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and policies and procedures of Orlando VA Medical Center.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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
• 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
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• 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-08: 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 1
• Advanced knowledge or 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 characteristics (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
• 5
• Extensive knowledge of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy - adjusting PAP settings - mask fitting - downloading - and troubleshooting PAP equipment
• 6
• Ability to educate patients on the care - use - maintenance of and assess response to PAP equipment
• 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 Preferred Experience: RPSGT certification -(Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)) Polysomnography knowledge - device knowledge - medical terminology - medical records organization - procedure protocol - anatomy and electrode placement - CPAP knowledge
• Maintains a current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) card 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
• All Medical Instrument Technicians must be able to perform the following physical requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• Pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers/both hands required
• Walking - Standing - Kneeling - Repeated bending Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties but - not are limited to: Communication and interpersonal relations - including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers
• Maintenance of confidentiality of patients/employee information - electronic and printed
• Functioning in the Medical Center in a safe manner including infection control and the correct operation of equipment
• Interacts fully with patient and physician to determined the effectiveness and/or need for change of PAP modality
• Monitors and interprets values and makes recommendations to physicians regarding treatment
• Recognizing the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk
• The staging and scoring of events present in the sleep studies
• Performing MSL T and MWTs in accordance to practice parameters set by the AASM as required
• Quality control in acquisition of data - scoring - and preparation of templates and/or reports for interpretation
• Maintaining competency for operation and trouble shooting of all types of PAP equipment seen at the sleep center
• Trouble shooting patient issues in CPAP clinics
• provides compliance monitoring of PAP usage (card reading/evaluating patient compliance) - patient education and coaching
• Recording treatment - findings - and progress pertinent to patient care as per policy and protocols
• Coordinating with EMS staff for proper maintenance of sleep lab
• Assisting the Medical Director and/or the designated lead technologist of the Sleep Lab - to assure timely ordering coordination with prosthetics of delivery and/or stocking of all parts and supplies required in the sleep lab
• Resolving technical work problems with the aid of references - such as manuals - troubleshooting guides - and other reference sources
• Assisting the Supervisor - Medical Director - and/or Lead Sleep Tech of the sleep Lab to assure Quality Improvement standards are monitored in the clinic
• Knowledge of standard - computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG - EOG - EKG - EMG and respiratory parameters
• Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records - sleep study orders - consent forms - and medical charts - etc
• Work Schedule: Orlando-10 hour shifts (rotating off days) - Saturdays as needed
• Daytona-7:30a-4:00pm - Monday to Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized