The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) serves as the supervisory medical technologist in the Sleep Program, oversees the Sleep Lab to ensure it is maintained at an optimal level of performance, scores sleep studies, and works as a technologist in the Sleep Lab as needed.
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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Polysomnography Technician: Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing polysomnography technician services in more complex and non-standard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs. GS-10. 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 (*): Certification. Registration by the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions. Preferred Experience: Experience monitoring the functioning of a sleep lab (resource monitoring and allocation, supply inventory levels, adherence to infection control guidelines) Experience providing oversight of a home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) program. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27, Appendix I - Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography). 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.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties Include: Serves as the supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (MIT), Polysomnography (PSG). As such, he/she is responsible for exercising all supervisory control over other PSG technicians, including GS-8 night time sleep technologist(s)/ daytime sleep technologist(s)/Scoring technologist(s) and GS-9 lead sleep technologist. Under the supervision of the Section Supervisor(s), Division of Sleep Medicine displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all sleep diagnostic and related procedures in accordance with guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Association of Sleep Technologists, and policies and procedures of the VA Maryland Healthcare System. Works with the Sleep Medicine providers, Sleep technologists and patients to oversee and/or deliver services related to Polysomnography (PSG), positive Airway Titration (PAP) titration studies, Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT), the Multiple Wakefulness Test (MWT), Hypoglossal nerve stimulation Sleep studies, Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT), the Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Nap clinic, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) clinic and scoring of sleep studies. Responsible for monitoring functioning of the Sleep Lab, resource monitoring and allocation, supply inventory levels, adherence to infection control guidelines, processing and storage of sleep study reports, and ensuring the Sleep Lab's continued functioning in accordance to the VA, The Joint Commission and legal requirements. Takes responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the Sleep Lab, prepares work schedules and assigns duties to subordinates to ensure efficient and timely performance of all in-lab sleep studies. Assures that all employees under his/her supervision are aware of and abide by the appropriate safety regulations. Provides advice, counsel or instruction to individual employees on both work and administrative matters. Takes appropriate disciplinary actions or rewards as required. The incumbent is under the supervision of the Director, Sleep Medicine Program who reviews completed work for results achieved and for conformance to department policies and requirements. At this level the supervisor places considerable reliance on the supervisory technologist's knowledge of complex procedures, and completed work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy. The incumbent will regularly use a variety of sources for guidance and make a search for up to date procedures. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes. Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively and positively with a wide variety of internal and external customers. Professionally maintains good relations with sleep providers, patients, and referring services. Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively and positively with a wide variety of internal and external customers. Professionally maintains good relations with sleep providers, patients, and referring services. The technologist is available to give direction to night shift staff when needed. The incumbent should be willing to work a schedule where he/ she overlaps with the regular shift (daytime) employees and the night shift technologists. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 512-24069-F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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)