The incumbent serves primarily as a CTVHCS nighttime Polysomnographic Technologist for the Sleep Center located in Killeen, Texas. The Polysomnographic Technologist works under the direct supervision of the CTVHCS Sleep Clinic Supervisor and the general supervision of the Sleep Medical Director providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. A Basic Requirements: 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.) 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". 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. Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. 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. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirement as described above, you may qualify with experience and demonstrating the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Appendix I - Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) GS-08 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-07 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: AND 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 Experience: Meets all GS-8 KSA requirements for MIT-Polysomnography. Must have current registry and in good standing by the Board of Registered Polysomnography Technologists or American Board of Sleep Medicine. Minimum 8 years experience performing diagnostic and treatment sleep studies in accredited sleep lab or labs. 4 years of experience using SomnoStar Sleep Diagnostic Equipment References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54, PART II, APPENDIX G27, APPENDIX G27. MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN, QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-649; Appendix I - Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography). The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Hearing without aid. Performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle , or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 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 by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. ["Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: The Polysomnographic Technologist works under the direct supervision of the CTVHCS Sleep Clinic Supervisor and the general supervision of the Sleep Medical Director providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. A Polysomnographic technologist must perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may assist with delineation of duties and training of other Polysomnographic Technicians. Medical Instrument Tech (Polysomnography) GS-08 Gather and analyze the patient information: Review history, physical information, medications, procedure request according to the physician's orders and the sleep center's Standard Operating Procedures. Complete and verify documentation Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient. Explains procedures and equipment to patients in order to gain patient's support and ally apprehension. Instructs the patients in use of equipment such as oxygen, CPAP, Bi-level, mask and head gear fitting as well as cleaning the equipment. Data transfer and entry. Testing Preparation Procedures: Prepare, calibrate and trouble shoot sleep diagnostic equipment required for testing to determine if properly functioning. Apply electrodes and sensors according to the International 10-20 placement system. Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments, if necessary. Perform a variety of routine positive airway pressure (PAP) and mask fitting. Provide patient education on CPAP/Bi-Level, ST/ASV technologies. Polysomnographic procedures: Follow procedural protocols (such as PSG, Split, CPAP, Bi-level, ASV and Oxygen titration, etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data for proper diagnosis. Follow \"lights out\" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, ox hemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.). Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments as necessary. Polysomnographic Record Scoring: Score sleep/wake stages with sleep center SOP and proven professionally accepted guidelines set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) following sleep center SOP and AASM guidelines. Generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical events data for attending sleep physician and sleep center supervisor. Clinical Duties: Perform Sleep Clinic duties according to CTVHCS, Medical Service­ Pulmonary/Sleep clinic protocols. Download the patients (in or outpatient) PAP therapy equipment for compliance and asses the need for changes to PAP Therapy. Adjusts pressure on devices based on the compliance download and protocols. Change interfaces as needed for patient comfort and compliance in accordance with Prosthetics Service guidelines. Asses the respiratory/sleep status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and PAP compliance downloads to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to providers for changes in the patient's treatment plan, improving patient compliance and effectiveness of PAP therapy. Evaluate progress of patients, observe and asses any deviation from the expected. Collaborate with providers to modify written orders as indicated. Make recommended changes to patient's therapy, i.e., pressure changes, mask changes, and changes to other comfort related to PAP therapy settings. Home Sleep Testing: Prepare, calibrate and trouble shoot Home Sleep Testing equipment (i.e. Oximetry, Watch Pat, Alice, NoxT3, and Actigraphy) and home PAP devices to determine if properly functioning. Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures and equipment to patients to gain patient's support and allay apprehension. Provide patients education related to the HST technology and/or Sleep study procedures and instructs patient and/or family step by step how to correctly apply and use HST testing device. Ensure HST patients have return appointment and know where and when to return HST device. Work Schedule: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday nights OR Sunday, Monday, Tuesday nights; 6:00pm - 7:30am first 2 nights, then 6:00pm - 7:00am for 3rd night 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"]

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