Summary The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) in Portland, OR. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) of the Sleep Disorders Center who reports through the Respiratory Care Manager along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM). Responsibilities The Polysomnography Medical Instrument Technicians (MITs) perform duties which are routine and standardized in nature with minimal supervision. MITs are proficient with equipment and ensure proper performance. The MIT is expected to function as a mentor to MIT staff and trainees/students. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common sleep medicine terminology. Performs the full range of complex tests using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs. Tests consist of partial and full Polysomnography, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy devices setup and operation, and telemedicine equipment operation. MIT sets up all necessary accessories or supplies and advises other medical personnel of new equipment, accessories or supplies. Major duties will include, but will not be limited to: Checks in and stages patients for CPAP clinic. Assists patients with proper fit for PAP equipment and masks. Sets up the exam rooms to assure sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the test being performed. Sets up the PAP equipment, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure. Establishes and monitors quality control, record keeping systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of results. Establishes and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment. Translates data into meaningful information. Examines and considers all aspects of a situation, including its context and complexity, in order to identify the best course of action and reach an informed decision. Ensures all equipment is kept clean and safe for use by the PAP patient. Able to recognize and report malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical Services for repair or replacement. Maintains and monitors all necessary supplies are stocked and available in the event of an emergent procedure. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor adjustments and maintenance. Incumbent works with a variety staff at local and remote sites to train clinic staff on HSAT data collection and setup, PAP setup, and follow-up. Instructs the technicians at remote sites on the proper hookup procedure for the HSAT device so the studies are close to artifact free. Communicates effectively with a range of personnel (physicians, nurses, administration and clinic managers) within the medical center and at Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to develop policy and procedures for the HSAT program. Provides oversight of the HSAT program to assure that it meets with all Joint Commission, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and other regulatory bodies prescribed standards. Incumbent may assist in the performance of sleep studies, including Diagnostic, Split Study, PAP Titration, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), or a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). Incumbent establishes and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment when necessary. Assures that the required equipment is carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the procedure being performed. Requests preventative maintenance as required. Able to perform routine maintenance and recognize and reports malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical Engineering for repair or replacement. Makes minor adjustments to equipment which enhances diagnostic results. Performs the full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8 hour shifts from 8:00am-4:30pm or 9 hour shifts from 8:00am-5:30pm Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. 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. Grade Determinations: 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 Abilities1. 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 recognize 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. 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 Abilities1. 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 Bi-Level 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. 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 Abilities1. 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 Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Preferred Experience: 1 year Sleep DME experience, or 1 year overnight PSG - RPSGT certified References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a federal employee. VA may offer newly appointed Federal employee's 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.