Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Veterans Health Administration • Jackson, MS

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician - Polysomnographic Technologist (MIT/PSGT) performs routine and standardized duties with some supervision and uses basic medical and common sleep terminology. The full performance level is GS-08, and applicants may be selected at grades GS-04 through GS-08. The role independently performs assigned sleep-laboratory duties, conducts sleep studies, operates and maintains diagnostic equipment, collects and analyzes patient information, and documents and scores study results according to accepted standards and center-specific protocols.

The position works Friday through Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; the schedule may change based on facility needs. Work is performed in an office or clinic setting with minimal risks and normal safety precautions. The position may involve handling several tasks simultaneously in stressful situations. Physical activities may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required.

The role is a federal VA position in the Excepted Service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, proficient in written and spoken English, and meet applicable pre-employment screening, security, onboarding, and vaccination requirements. Employees are required to serve a one- or two-year trial period. Education is not specifically required for the occupation, although qualifying education may substitute for experience at GS-04 and GS-05. Licensure or certification is not required; certification is described as strongly desirable at GS-06 or above, and Basic Cardiac Life Support certification is desirable at several grades.

The position offers competitive salary with regular increases, paid leave and federal holidays, potentially creditable prior service toward annual leave accrual, paid parental leave after 12 months, and potential childcare subsidy eligibility for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days. Retirement benefits include a federal pension and federal 401(k) contributions. Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance are available. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the applicable grade-level experience or education qualifications; the specific requirements vary by grade from GS-04 through GS-08.
• For GS-06 through GS-08, at least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, with the knowledge and skills specified for the applicable grade.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and, at applicable grades, polysomnography equipment, procedures, anatomy and physiology, sleep scoring, and PAP therapy.
• Pass applicable pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and onboarding requirements; participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical ability to perform duties that may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing.

Nice To Haves

• Previous polysomnography experience.
• Experience with Alice 6 sleep software and Nox A1 sleep software.
• Home Sleep Study experience with Noxturnal, WatchPat, and Alice Night One units.
• RPSGT and/or CPSGT credential.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support certification is desirable at GS-06 and GS-07; Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable at GS-08.
• Polysomnography certification or registration is strongly desirable at GS-06 or above.

Responsibilities

• Independently carry out duties for the assigned sleep laboratory.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and substitute equipment when necessary; report situations outside standard procedures, including unexpected changes in patient condition, to the supervisor and medical staff.
• Select and adapt equipment and techniques to individual patients in accordance with physician instructions.
• Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs.
• Prepare and calibrate Home Sleep Testing equipment, verify its functioning, and adjust it as needed.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments when needed.
• Fit patients with positive airway pressure (PAP) masks.
• Follow protocols for MSLT, MWT, adaptive-servo ventilation, parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration, and Inspire Device Activation to collect appropriate data.
• Follow lights-out procedures and establish and document baseline values, including body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, and respiratory and heart rates.
• Complete medical record documentation in CPRS within prescribed timeframes.
• Score sleep/wake stages using professionally accepted guidelines.
• Score respiratory and cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, and other clinical events according to center-specific protocols.
• Perform cardiopulmonary scoring for Home Sleep Testing.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical-event data.
• Clean and maintain equipment using manufacturer-recommended methods.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed