Job Title

Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) in Biloxi, Mississippi, is a 1c facility comprised of a medical facility, community living center, blind rehabilitation center, primary care, specialty care, and community-based outpatient clinics. This position requires knowledge of and proficiency in polysomnography (PSG) testing, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, home sleep testing (HST), and PAP therapy compliance. Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) included but are not limited to: Polysomnography (PSG) * Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions that may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders. * Provides education to patients related to procedures and studies to be performed; secures the cooperation of patients by explaining procedures to obtain optimal results. * Ability to conduct full sleep studies, including overnight studies, and evaluate the relationship of events and sleep stages as they relate to possible medical conditions related to sleep. * Independently performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include, but are not limited to, PSG, PAP titration, split night, and Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) testing procedures. * Possesses knowledge of equipment used to perform testing including functional characteristics, operating capabilities, and operator adjustments of the instrumentation. * Verifies instrument function by performing calibrations before a study is started and after the study has been completed. Ensures proper signals and adjusts as necessary. * Independently implements appropriate therapeutic interventions, such as PAP and oxygen therapy, to appropriate levels per established protocols. * Performs PSG data acquisition while monitoring study tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and makes adjustments as necessary. * Documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of study results. * Scores sleep/ wake stages and clinical events by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/ wake and clinical event data. Home Sleep Testing (HST) * Provides step-by-step instructions for home sleep testing including information on the device, how and when to use the device, and how and when to return the device. * Provides oral, visual, and written instructions on HST units including placement of the device, placement of the sensors, powering on the device, and removing the device to end testing. * Issues HST devices in person in the clinic, by mail with disposable devices, or by a contracted vendor. Devices will be packaged with all necessary sensors and batteries and will be shipped using a service with tracking capabilities. Clinic Management * Receives patients in clinic; performs and documents vital signs, neck size, and weight. * Assists patients with the completion of questionnaires and additional information including, but not limited to, chief complaints, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Stop Score, sleep habits/ symptoms, etc. * Provides education to patients related to PAP device setup and use; secures the confidence and cooperation of patients by explaining equipment and procedures to obtain optimal results. * Assists with the completion of electronic consults, answering provider secure messages, and responding to telephone messages. * Dedicated to providing same day service for needs of patients who have been seen in clinic, including, but not limited to mask fitting, troubleshooting PAP device problems, PAP therapy initiation and management, pressure adjustments, issuing HST equipment, desensitization, etc. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Subject to change by supervisor to meet facility needs. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-01070-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized