Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Description:

This is a non-supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) (MITP) position located at the VA Northern Arizona Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) in Prescott, Arizona. The primary duties of the MITP are to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices, score and analyze sleep stages in clinical home sleep testing (HST) recordings. The MITP summarizes and prepares reports of HST data.

Requirements:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and 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 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations :

Polysomnography Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).

Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices . To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.]

Quality of Experience . Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.

GS-10 - Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) . In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.

• Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-09), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide the most complex polysomnography technician services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( * ):
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level.

1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
* 2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program
* 3.Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.

Preferred Experience: Possess the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist™ (RPSGT) certification from Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).The RPSGTis an internationally recognized credential representing the highest certification in the field for the health care professionals who clinically assess patients with sleep disorders. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and 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/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate physical effort to include: lifting/carrying up to 50-100lbs; prolonged extensive or considerable standing/walking; lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients; assists with lifting and moving patients; lifts supplies/equipment; pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies; manual dexterity and mobility; intermittent exertion when performing treatments; and reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .