Career Center

Summary

The W.G. Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) to serve within Medicine Service. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements candidates must meets the following Grade Requirements:GS-7 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities related to the duties of the position
• Experience includes: Independently conducting difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations
• Performing a full range of standard - but complex - polysomnography examinations with responsibility for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to the beginning of the PSG tracing and selection of appropriate electrode montages and sensitivity and filter settings to elicit the best possible tracings
• Independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea and administering nerve conduction velocity tests
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:- Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices.- Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.- Knowledge of indications - complications - and contraindications of CPAP therapy.- Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations.- Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep
• This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings
• GS-8 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities related to the duties of the position
• Experience includes: Providing complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders
• Interacting fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare
• Conducting 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
• Anticipating problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations - make changes in established procedures - or recommend alternative courses of action
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:- 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
• PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of an accredited educational program
• leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography
• 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 Sleep Technician PREFERRED CERTIFICATION: Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) RPSGT needs to be with the NC Board of Medicine - Even though the VA is not required to register with the State - to be employed in North Carolina it is required
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time
• frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus
• lifting and repositioning patients
• and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures
• 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).References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G27 - Medical Instrument Technician
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Duties

• A Registered Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D. - D.O - or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders
• This may involve polysomnography - diagnostic and therapeutic services or patent care and education
• A Registered Polysomnographic Technologist can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may provide oversight of other staff
• Performs procedures with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and facility sleep program policies and procedures
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Work with Veterans to improve PAP adherence - case management (analyze and integrate patient information) - study results - education - management of CPAP/BIPAP equipment coordination of in-center and home sleep apnea diagnostic testing and work with departmental leadership to create and implement policy and procedure related to job responsibilities
• Understand sleep architecture and identify factors contributing to normal sleep variances related to aging - gender - and medication
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the pathophysiology of sleep disorders and associated comorbidities as described in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine International Classification of Sleep Disorders (most current edition)
• Reference current national clinical sleep practice parameters and clinical practice guidelines to develop appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans
• Maintain proficiency in the domains of practice in sleep medicine and technology
• Maintain certifications as required by department
• Demonstrate proficient use of medical terminology and monitor clinical - quality - patient satisfaction and other key regulatory metrics
• Collect - analyze - and integrate patient information
• Competent with specific clinical assessments using standard diagnostic tools (e.g
• Epworth Sleepiness Scale - PAP downloads)
• Provide all aspects of instruction in caring for patients with sleep disorders
• Must have the ability to obtain information regarding patient needs - a knowledge of growth and development - and an understanding of the range of treatment needed by these patients
• Monitor patient adherence to prescribed treatment and work with patients to improve PAP adherence when compliance falls below department standards
• Coordinate in center and home sleep apnea diagnostic testing and therapeutic modalities
• Implement and follow-up on physician orders
• Communicate effectively and professionally with the patient's healthcare team regarding new or continued symptoms - treatment concerns - or management of optimal care
• Develop programs and provide education to assist patients with treatment acclimation and compliance and track health improvement indicators
• Discuss equipment/supply replacement schedule and complete documentation within Department of Medicine standards
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Friday - Saturday - Sunday
• rotating Thursday 7:00pm to 7:00am - 12hr shifts Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: This is not a telework position
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.