Summary

The incumbent functions as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) within the Salem VA Medical Service Sleep Medicine Section. The technologist performs technical duties utilized in the evaluation - diagnosis and treatment of sleep-wake disorders.

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
• 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"
• 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: GS8: 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: 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 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
• Reference: Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 The full performance level of this vacancy is 8
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 8 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• DUTIES: Home Sleep Testing Program: a
• Review the patient's history and verify the medical order b
• Verify patient identification - complete the required paper work prior to issuing the equipment
• c
• Patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep testing d
• Must adhere to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices e
• Scoring portable monitoring recordings according to AASM scoring parameters
• identify artifact - inadequate signals and study failures and generate a report for sleep physician to review f
• The technologist will be responsible for screening consults for home sleep studies or in-lab polysomnogram - scheduling the procedures deemed necessary and maintaining the portable sleep technical needs and clinic schedules
• Salem VA Medical Center and Affiliated CBOC CPAP/BIPAP Clinics: a
• Applicant will be responsible for setting up CPAP and Bi-level equipment - fitting patients with the correct mask type and size - and educating them on their therapy so that they are able to be successful and compliant with therapy b
• Instruction for patient training for nebulizers and oxygen c
• Help patients with sleep equipment including oxygen and provide education accordingly d
• Process document orders including machine exchanges - update and confirm future orders
• e
• Review patient file for complete and thorough documentation acquisition f
• Supports orientation and training of other personnel at the direction of the Supervisor Overnight Polysomnogram - MSLT - MWT and Day time Nap study as needed: a
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient for in-lab testing b
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards c
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization d
• Scoring of sleep/wake stages and clinical events (such as respiratory events - cardiac events - limb movements - arousals - etc.) utilizing AASM standards Work Schedule: 40 hours/week includes 3 nights/week 12 hour shifts 7pm-7am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized