Summary The Ft. Harrison VA Health Care System located in Montana is currently recruiting for two GS 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 Medical Instrument Technicians-Polysomnography Technicians. Responsibilities The full performance level of the Medical Records Technician-Polysomnography Technician duties include, but aren't limited to the following: GS-4 & GS-5 graded positions are trainee positions that are taught the following duties as they progress through their training As employees are promoted to grades GS-6 & GS-7 they are trained to perform more complex duties w/ more degrees of independence until they are promoted to GS-8 GS-8 graded employees are full performance employees & perform the following duties independently w/ minimal supervisor input Monitors patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices to score/analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic recordings Summarizes & prepares polysomnographic data reports Anticipates problems likely to occur during the sleep study & makes changes in established procedures, or recommends alternative courses of action Is knowledgeable in more complex procedures & uncommon/rare sleep disorders Reviews patient history related to sleep disorders & medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders Explains various procedures to the patient Performs sleep monitoring (polysomnography) on patients w/ possible sleep apnea or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions Performs sleep monitoring on individuals w/ other potential sleep disorders including, but not limited to, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder Applies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) to appropriate levels per established protocols Applies oxygen therapy per established protocols Responsible for the safe & proper operation of all equipment used in the Sleep Center Verifies correct instrument calibration & operation using established procedures Identifies common problems & notifies engineering service as needed Obtains technical or factory assistance in order to fully utilize the equipment to its full potential Must be able to recognize sleep onset during nap opportunities Performs Home Sleep Testing(HST) procedures, scores & prepares HSAT reports Has a working knowledge of sleep software: Sleepware G3, Somnoware, Noxturnal, nVision, Care Orchestrator, AirView & Actiware Assists w/ nocturnal oximetry & Actigraphy programs Monitors supply inventory & initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies Interacts w/ staff physicians regarding diagnosis & treatment of sleep disorders & may provide briefings & orientation to hospital staff including physicians Provides patient education during the performance of sleep studies & may assist w/ sleep education classes Assists w/ scheduling of sleep studies as needed Assists w/ maintaining department spread sheets for department performance measures Assists w/ providing sleep study results to patients Assists w/ MD/PA sleep clinics as needed Mentors lower graded technicians Attends courses in sleep related subject matters Stays abreast of technological developments related, but not limited to, polysomnographic technology Proficient w/ computer databases & word processing to prepare reports Maintains current BLS course completion card, (& ACLS if possible) Protects printed & electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance w/ the provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 & other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes & policies Protects data from unauthorized release or from loss; alteration, or unauthorized deletion Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc Demonstrates I-Care values when interacting w/ all internal/external customers Maintains current knowledge of & practices in accordance w/ The Joint Commission requirements Protects printed & electronic files containing sensitive data according to Federal privacy Act & confidentiality statutes Follows regulations & instructions regarding release of sensitive/protected patient/ employee information May serve on Service Line/VISN 19/medical center committees, workgroups, &/or task forces, etc. Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Friday-Sunday, from 7pm-7am, & one 8 hour shift on Thursday every other week. Duty Location: This position is located at an off site facility located at: 2271 Deerfield Lane Helena MT 59602 Compressed Schedule: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD04-58592-A,05-58593-A,06-51227-A,07-51228-A,08-51229-A, PD04-58592-A,05-58593-A,06-51227-A,07-51228-A,08-51229-A, and PD04-58592-A,05-58593-A,06-51227-A,07-51228-A,08-51229-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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. 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 Applicants pending completion of educational/certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but can't 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 US citizens English Language Proficiency Applicants must be proficient in spoken & written English Education. There are no specific educational requirements for occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at GS-4 & GS-5 levels. See grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for title, series & grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part occupation's basic requirements. For employees who don't meet all basic requirements required in this standard, but who met qualifications applicable to position when they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in occupation that doesn't require a licensure/certification/ registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted w/in occupation but won't be promoted beyond journey level or placed in supervisory/managerial positions Such employees in occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including full performance (journey) level, or demoted w/in occupation, but can't be promoted beyond journey level or placed in supervisory/managerial positions Employees initially grandfathered into occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education &/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all qualification standard basic requirements must maintain required credentials, as a condition of employment in occupation Grade Determination Requirements: Criteria discussed in applicable headings must be met when determining candidate's grade in addition to basic requirements for employment. GS-4 Trainee Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. 6 months of experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing or similar fields. Remaining 6 months must have been in operating diagnostic & therapeutic equipment covered by occupation. Experience gained in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR Education. Successful completion of 2 years of education above high school or associate's degree w/ a major field of study directly related to medical instrument technician occupation In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated KSAs 1) Knowledge of basic medical terminology 2) Ability to learn components, operating characteristics & settings of equipment used 3) Ability to learn typical patient reactions to basic procedures involved & ability to recognize distress signs 4) Ability to learn standard positions for procedure being conducted 5) Ability to communicate orally & in writing GS-5 Trainee Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. Experience in operating equipment related to polysomnography or in related functional areas. Experience gained in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to bachelor's degree w/ courses related to occupation or bachelor's degree in major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs Demonstrated KSAs 1) Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions 2) Knowledge of common physical disabilities & ability to position patients for the examination or treatment 3) Ability to learn the normal/abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize & report obvious abnormalities 4) Ability to operate equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures 5) Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on equipment including ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble & calibrate machine GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated KSAs 1) Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG & respiratory parameters 2) Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines & laboratory computers including ability to calibrate & operate equipment & recognize & eliminate recording artifacts 3) Knowledge of medical terminology & 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 & international 10-20 electrode placement system to conduct the sleep studies GS-7 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. Experience which provided individual w/ KSAs to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated KSAs 1) Knowledge of CPAP function & operation to select & fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices 2) Ability to independently titrate & document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals 3) Knowledge of indications, complications & contraindications of CPAP therapy 4) Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations 5) Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing & identify all sleep stages, including ability to score & analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings GS-8 Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to next lower grade level which demonstrates KSAs & other characteristics related to position duties. Experience which provided a knowledge of more complex procedures & knowledge of uncommon &/or rare sleep disorders In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated KSAs 1) Advanced knowledge or International Classification of Sleep Disorders & ability to recognize uncommon &/or rare sleep disorders 2) Ability to summarize & report polysomnographic data in narrative form 3) Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) & ability to take appropriate action 4) Ability to provide briefings & orientation to hospital staff including physicians Preferred Experience: Registered Polysomnography Technologist certification from Board of Registered Polysomnography Technologists. Sleep lab experience. BLS &/or ALS certification Reference: For more information on qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Vacancy full performance level is a GS-8. Applicants may be selected in grade ranges GS-4 to GS-8 Physical Requirements: Must be able to use your hands to grasp & precisely manipulate objects Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word Must be able to view, read, enter, edit & manipulate information on computer screens Must pass, possess & maintain BLS certification Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts can be unofficial transcripts, but must include your name, the school's entire name, the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable). 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/. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.