Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography Technician)
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is in need of Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography Technician) right now, this occupation will be depute in Tennessee. More complete informations about this occupation opportunity please read the description below. Vacancy Identification Number
(VIN): 944412
Salary:
To be determined ! by Professional Standard Board of your peers and based on your education, experience, and professional accomplishments.
You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans!
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be adding approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians - to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce.
The
Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) needs mental health professionals who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans.
Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professi! onally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your ! country's service.
If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA.
The VA is committed to hiring Veterans
.
The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are
I
ntegrity,
C
ommitment,
A
dvocacy,
R
espect and
E
xcellence ("
I CARE
").
America's Veterans need you!
To find out more, go to
http://www.va.gov/jobs/
.
PLEASE NOTE:
Qualified cl! inical trainees, residents, fellows, interns, etc. are encouraged to apply; please follow the instructions in the How to Apply section.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
US citizenship
English language proficiency
Background/suitability investigation
Physical standards - Must pass pre-employment examination
DUTIES:
The Incumbent works in the Neurology section of the VAMC on a temporary/intermittent basis and is responsible for recognizing and scoring sleep staging, respiratory events, cardiac events, periodic leg movements, arousal and awakening and different types of apnea. The He/she must have the knowledge of anatomy and physiology sufficient to understand the function of the lungs and knowledge of neuro-anatomy sufficient to assess brain activity for each level of sleep. The Incumbent must use independent judgment to apply knowledge of neurophysiology and pulmonology. He/she must also use problem-solving skills to collect ! and analyze data from brain waves, thoracic and abdominal belts, oximet! ers and C-Pap equipment to ensure the exam is comprehensive and accurate. The Incumbent performs continuous sleep monitoring adjusting filters as necessary, adding oxygen and/or C-Pap as needed and assists the physician with results of the exam. He/she receives patients, explains procedures and performs exams consistently communicating and treating all customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.
Relocation expenses and/or incentives have not been authorized.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. citizenship
English language proficiency (written and spoken)
Physical standards - All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.
Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)
Although licensure
requirement is not required by
OPM Qualification Standards
for this position applic! ants who
are licensed
will be referred to the Selection Official First.
(1)
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 recogni! ze 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.
(d)
Assignment.
Polysomnography (PSG) Technicians at this level perform a full range of standard, routine examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test), and PAP (Positive Airway Pressure Titration).
(2)
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 addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b)
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1.
Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices.
2.
Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.
3.
Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy.
4.
Knowledge of BiLevel pressure titrations.
5.
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.
(c)
Certification.
No certification or registration is required.
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
(d)
Assignment.
At this level the Polysomnography Technician performs 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.
They independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea.
They may administer nerve conduction velocity tests.
(3)
GS-8
(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
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.
(c)
Certification.
No certification or registration is ! required.
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardi! ac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
(d)
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.
Salary to be determined by Professional Standard Board of your peers and based on your education, experience, and professional accomplish! ments.
DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
NOTE:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the United States Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards your qualifications for this position. You can verify accreditation at the following website:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for ! that education.
Veteran's Preference
: When applying ! for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability. If the military member is within 120 days of separation and does not yet have a DD214, the member may instead submit any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
Veterans with service-connected disab! ility of less than 10%, nonservice-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed SF 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and required documentation with your application materials.
For more information on Veterans' Preference, go to
http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsinfo.asp
.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Complete application packages will be reviewed to determine if the basic qualifications for this position have been met. A listing of candidates who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the hiring facility where the credentialing and privileging screening process is completed.
BENEFITS:
VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered:
http://www.va.gov/jobs/job! _benefits/benefits.asp
.
OTHER INFORMATION:
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
- .
If you were eligible to this occupation, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
Interested on this occupation, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This occupation will be opened on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 07:23:14 GMT
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