Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) - RPSGT

Summary

The primary duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) - RPSGT are to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices, score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic (PSG) recordings, and perform interventions, such as positive airway pressure and oxygen therapies, with minimal supervision.

Duties

• This announcement is open continuous. Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a weekly basis until all positions have been filled. Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled and may close sooner than 9/11/2026. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Receives/acts on assignments for a variety of difficult examinations on compromised patients for planned, urgent & emergent tests. Performs full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment requiring precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs, conditions or test sequences. Performs sleep monitoring (PSG) on individuals with variety of sleep disorders. Explains procedures and positions patient to insure comfort during variety of tests, taking into account the patient's age, mental and physical status. Applies electrodes according to recognized standards using The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. Applies thoracic and abdominal transducer; pulse oximeter finger or ear probe; respiratory effort belts; nasal/oral sensors; and other equipment. Recognizes sleep apnea, sleep movements, nocturnal seizures, and parasomnias such as nocturnal myoclonus and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder; makes adjustments in recording parameters to optimize performance of sleep studies Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on electroencephalographic records in real time. Recognizes artifacts, movements and diagnostic findings making changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the phenomenon. Scans and examines environment of recording to detect/eliminate possible sources of artifacts, recognizes artifacts as they occur in real time; works rapidly to diagnose/eliminate artifacts, in order to preserve integrity of recording. Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; records significant observations. Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay. Scores clinical events and sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Analyzes approximately 1000 pages of information per PSG for sleep stages; heart rate and arrhythmias; respiration rate and pattern; oxygen saturation level; pH level; myoclonic activity; seizure activity; thoracic and abdominal movement pattern; tidal volume changes, tumescence activity; EOG activity; bruxism; specific EEG patterns; awakenings/ arousals; and other significant observations. Prepares and organizes patient charts and patient rooms. Participates in Home Sleep Testing (HST) program; sees HST patients, trains clinic staff on HST data collection and setup, PAP setup, and follow-up; instructs remote technicians to download the HST data to the Minneapolis VAHCS Sleep Center; assures competency in HST and CPAP setup. Assures sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the test being performed. Maintains inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests. Ensures that all equipment is kept clean and safe for use by the CPAP patient. Prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures. Work Schedule: Nights - Sunday to Wednesday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series is eligible for the SLRP. Funding is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. SLRP is an incentive, not a benefit. It is dispersed as a one-time lump sum payment or bi-weekly payments. The total lifetime gross amount for student loan repayments that may by authorized on behalf of an employee is $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.