Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off up to 50 days per year

Health and life insurance

Child Care Subsidy after 60 days

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Instrument Technician specializing in Polysomnography in Portland, Oregon. This role involves performing complex tests using advanced medical equipment, assisting patients with CPAP therapy, and overseeing remote technicians.

Qualified candidates will have experience in polysomnographic procedures, strong technical skills, and must be U.S. citizens. The position offers competitive salary, generous paid time off, and additional benefits. A BCLS certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Citizenship of the United States is required.
• Opportunity for certification in the field is desirable.
• Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology.

Responsibilities

• Checks in and stages patients for CPAP clinic.
• Performs quality checks of PAP equipment before procedures.
• Assists patients with proper fit for PAP equipment and masks.
• Monitors patient and equipment during sleep studies.

Skills

Knowledge of polysomnographic procedural protocols

Understanding of medical terminology

Ability to calibrate and operate medical devices

English language proficiency

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification

Education

At least 1 year of experience in a related field

Tools

Polysomnographs

CPAP machines

Electroencephalograph

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: Citizenship of the United States. (Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.)
• There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation; education may substitute for experience at GS‑4 and GS‑5 levels.
• Licensure or certification is not required for this occupation, but is strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• English language proficiency – spoken and written – in accordance with version 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
• 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).
• Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) GS‑6 – at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include:
  • Knowledge of standard computerized polysomnographs for recording all‑night physiological data (EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG, respiratory parameters).
  • Knowledge of devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, CPAP machines, and laboratory computers, with the ability to calibrate, operate, and eliminate recording artifacts.
  • Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, and charts.
  • Knowledge of polysomnographic procedural protocols (overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP).
  • Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10‑20 electrode placement system.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
• GS‑7 – similar experience requirement with additional KSAs such as CPAP function, independent titration, knowledge of indications, complications, contraindications, and bi‑level pressure titrations.
• GS‑8 – requires advanced knowledge of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon or rare sleep disorders with related KSAs.
• Preferred Experience: RPSGT, RST, CRT‑SDS, or RRT‑SDS with at least 1 year of experience.
• Reference for qualification standards: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is in the range of GS‑6 to GS‑8.

Duties

• Checks in and stages patients for CPAP clinic.
• Assists patients with proper fit for PAP equipment and masks.
• Sets up the exam rooms to ensure sterile supplies and required equipment are selected and properly presented.
• Performs quality checks of PAP equipment before procedures.
• Establishes and monitors quality control and record‑keeping systems.
• Writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments.
• Translates data into meaningful information.
• Examines all aspects of a situation to identify the best course of action and reach an informed decision.
• Ensures all equipment is kept clean and safe, reporting malfunctions to Biomedical Services.
• Maintains supplies and readiness for emergent procedures.
• Performs minor equipment adjustments and maintenance.
• Assists remote - CBOC technicians with downloading HSAT data to the Portland VA Sleep Center and scoring the HSAT study.
• Oversees staff at remote CBOCs for the HSAT program to assure competency.
• Explains procedures to the patient and answers questions regarding HSAT study.
• Prepares patient for test using standardized aseptic technique.
• Performs triage, rearranges schedule according to patient priorities, and assists other MITs when needed.
• Evaluates and reviews HSAT equipment market to recommend new equipment.
• Prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures.
• Applies EEG electrodes based on the International 10‑20 system.
• Applies EOG, EMG, and ECG according to the AASM scoring manual.
• Applies pulse oximeter ear or finger probe, thoracic and abdominal effort belts, nasal/oral thermistor or thermocouple sensors, and pressure sensors to produce flow signals.
• Ensures patient comfort and proper function of electrodes and transducers.
• Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment during the study.
• Obtains artifact‑free data and tracings.
• Records significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position, presence or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep terrors.
• Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior, and significant respiratory events on the EEG records in real time.
• Maintains proper equipment function and data collection.
• Work schedule: 9‑hour shifts (compressed work weeks). Week one: Monday‑Wednesday 08:00‑17:30 – Thursday 08:00‑16:30 – Friday off. Week two: Monday‑Friday 08:00‑17:30.
• Recruitment Incentive: Sign‑on Bonus.
• Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Select applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible employees may receive up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, capped at $416.66 monthly.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA Insurance contributions.
• Health and life insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care and other federal programs in retirement.
• Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.