Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Summary

Performs the full range of complex tests using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs. Tests consist of partial and full Polysomnography, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy devices setup and operation, and telemedicine equipment operation.

Duties

Checks in and stages patients for CPAP clinic. Assists patients with proper fit for PAP equipment and masks. Sets up the exam rooms to assure sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the test being performed. Sets up the PAP equipment, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure. Establishes and monitors quality control, record keeping systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of results. Establishes and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment. Translates data into meaningful information. Examines and considers all aspects of a situation, including its context and complexity, in order to identify the best course of action and reach an informed decision. Ensures all equipment is kept clean and safe for use by the PAP patient. Able to recognize and report malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical Services for repair or replacement. Maintains and monitors all necessary supplies are stocked and available in the event of an emergent procedure. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor adjustments and maintenance. Helps with instructing the remote, CBOC technicians to download the HSAT data to the Portland VA Sleep Center and score the HSAT study. Oversees staff working at remote CBOCs for the HSAT program to assure competency in HSAT and PAP setup. Independently explains the procedures to the patient and answers any questions regarding HSAT study. Appropriately prepares patient for test using standardized aseptic technique. Performs triage, rearranges schedule according to patient priorities, and assists other MITs when needed. Evaluates and reviews market of HSAT equipment to determine if new equipment would provide additional clinical diagnostic abilities and recommends new equipment as needed. Prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures. Applies electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes based on the International 10-20 electrode placement system. Applies electro-oculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) using AASM scoring manual. Applies pulse oximeter ear or finger probe; thoracic and abdominal effort belts; nasal/oral thermistor or thermocouple sensors and pressure sensors to produce flow signals, and other diagnostic electrodes and equipment. Ensures patient comfort and proper function of applied electrodes and transducers. Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; 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, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep terrors. Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on the EEG records in real time. Maintains proper equipment function and data collection. Work Schedule: 9-hour shifts (compressed work weeks) Week one: Monday-Wednesday 0800-1730, Thursday 0800-1630 Friday off / Week two: Monday-Friday 0800-1730 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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" 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. **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). Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) GS-6 (a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. 2. Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate and operate the equipment and recognize and eliminate recording artifacts. 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. 4. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). 5. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. (c) Certification. No certification or registration is required at this level. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. GS-7 (a) 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 the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. In a