Career Center

Summary

Activities in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section impact direct patient care in both the in-patient and outpatient setting for the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (ECHCS). The primary responsibility of the MIT (Polysomnography) at this level is to receive requests and/or instructions for procedures and conducts diagnostic studies as ordered by the VA Providers. The MIT (Polysomnography) will be expected to provide education the patient on proper technique to ensure optimal test results.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but may not 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 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 & 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 - & 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 & Certification/Registrations"
• For all specialties identified in this standard - Basic & Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• Grade Determinations: Basic Developmental Levels: GS-4 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - & other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled
• Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fields
• The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic & therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR - Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - & Abilities: Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - & settings of the equipment to be used
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved & ability to recognize signs of distress
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• Ability to communicate orally & in writing
• GS-5 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - & other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled
• This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR - Education
• Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation - or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - & Abilities: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities & ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal & abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize & report obvious abnormalities
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or 8 procedures
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - & calibrate the machine
• Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) GS-6 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - & Abilities: Knowledge of standard - computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG - EOG - EKG - EMG & respiratory parameters
• Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters - respiratory effort devices - nasal pressure devices - thermistors - thermocouples - continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines - & laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate & operate the equipment & recognize & eliminate recording artifacts
• Knowledge of medical terminology & medical record organization to review medical records - sleep study orders - consent forms - medical charts - etc
• Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies - MSLT - MWT - PAP - etc.)
• Knowledge of basic anatomy & physiology & the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies
• Certification: No certification or registration is required at this level
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• GS-7 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge - skills - & abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - & Abilities: Knowledge of CPAP function & operation to select & fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices
• Ability to independently titrate & document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals
• Knowledge of indications - complications - & contraindications of CPAP therapy
• Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations
• Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing & identify all stages of sleep
• This includes the ability to score & analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings
• Certification: No certification or registration is required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• GS-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - & 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: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - & Abilities: Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders & the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders
• Ability to summarize & report polysomnographic data in narrative form
• Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g. - respiratory - cardiac - sleep stage - seizures - etc.) & ability to take appropriate action
• Ability to provide briefings & orientation to hospital staff including physicians
• Certification: No certification or registration is required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) & Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Performs Polysomnography studies of limited complexity and related interventions to include but not be limited to: Full polysomnogram - unattended sleep studies - Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) - Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT).)
• Must have knowledge of normal vs
• abnormal test data and be able to distinguish between artifact and an actual event
• Must have knowledge of respiratory therapy and necessary equipment related to oxygen delivery systems - pulse oximetry - and non- invasive ventilation
• Preps patients and calibrates complete sleep recording equipment
• Reviews the consult for appropriateness - enters all information into the sleep equipment software program and saves data when testing is completed
• Reviews the patient's medical record - orders and physician's notes
• After the study - the technician writes a brief note describing the procedure and outcome in the electronic medical record
• Reviews results of all sleep related diagnostic testing to determine if the test is valid
• Responsible for accurately scoring each polysomnogram according to the R and K criteria and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring standards
• Distinguishes and annotates any change in recording parameters or conditions on the test tracings as they occur
• Recognizes sleep apnea - sleep movements - hypopneas - and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder and makes adjustments in recording parameters to optimize performance of sleep studies
• Follows standard precautions to prevent spread of disease
• Will actively participate in DME and or Sleep Lab meetings
• As needed will participate in scheduled CPAP/BiPAP educational clinics
• Assist with walk-in clinics as related to CPAP mask fittings and equipment set-up and troubleshooting
• Provide support to the Chest Clinic and Sleep Clinic and be a resource to patients and providers as related to sleep disorders and sleep studies and related DME equipment
• May be required to Set-up equipment for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) titration studies and oxygen titrations
• Completes all annual competencies
• Will communicate effectively in person - via telephone and electronic venue
• Must maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and complete all annual competencies
• Will display a cooperative - positive attitude and will effectively work together with patients and peers to implement the organization's mission and goals
• Will assist in other areas of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section as directed by the Supervisor/Manager/Chief to ensure the goals of the Section are met
• Will be flexible in job performance to meet the demands of an ever-changing patient population
• Will be expected to assist in other areas of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section as related to their education - training and licensure
• Must have knowledge of anatomy and physiology - including an in-depth understanding of the circulatory and pulmonary systems - and the major organs associated with these systems
• Must have expertise in the operation of all sleep study related equipment and follow-up intervention and be able to select and manipulate the equipment and therapy to meet the patient's needs
• May be expected to occasionally travel to other locations such as the Community Based Out-patient Clinics (CBOC's) to assist with patient coverage as needed
• Work Schedule: Intermittent Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 58718-0