Location: Martinsburg, West Virginia, West Virginia
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 800312300
The Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography Technologist) is located at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center and works under the supervision of the Section Chief of the Sleep Clinic and the Chief of Medicine. The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatments for sleep disorders. Duties may include polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services and/or patient care and education. 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. English Language: Proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-8 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) (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 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: (b) 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. Preferred Qualifications: Preferred Certification: Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or Valid RPSGT certification. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography and neurodiagnostic. OR Successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technologist. Sleep 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work is physically demanding. The employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close, distant, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The incumbent may occasionally help sick patients in/out of bed. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Understand and interpret results from sleep diagnostic studies, including in-laboratory polysomnography, home sleep testing, PAP titration, and overnight oximetry. Perform and assist with sleep diagnostic testing as needed. Patient assessment related to sleep disorders Provide effective education and information to patients, family, and co-workers as appropriate. PAP set-up and follow-up, including troubleshooting, pressure adjustments, and maintenance Collect, review, and evaluate relevant clinical data, including SD/smartcard download/remote PAP monitoring Mask fitting Desensitization techniques Identify and treat sleep-related breathing disorders Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk Document all data Understand appropriate use of various types of PAP and non-invasive positive pressure (NIPPV) devices. Assists with management of sleep-related consults as needed Participates with in-services and education Participate in program development Assists the Sleep Medicine physicians Actively participating in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Work Schedule: 08:00PM-7:30AM Wed, Thurs, Friday Week 1 & Wed, Thurs, Friday, Saturday Week 2 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.