Summary The Registered Respiratory Therapy Sleep Technician is responsible for providing sleep services to patients in the VA/DoD Joint Venture (JV) Hospital in the JV Sleep Lab, on inpatient units as requested, and the Sleep Clinic at the Alaska VA Healthcare Services Outpatient Clinic. Responsibilities The Registered Respiratory Therapy Sleep Technician is responsible for providing sleep services to patients in the VA/DoD Joint Venture (JV) Hospital in the JV Sleep Lab, on inpatient units as requested, and the Sleep Clinic at the Alaska VA Healthcare Services Outpatient Clinic. The higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. They manage complexity level 3 facilities whose work involves providing sleep/respiratory and related services in the facility or at multiple sites. Duties may include: Trouble shoot and repair as necessary EEG, EKG, EOG, EMG and respiratory monitoring equipment. Interpretation and report generation of home study raw data Provide setup, instruction and troubleshooting of home studies. Available for follow up phone calls from patient for troubleshooting (during working hours) Will recognize when situation is above his/her skill level and ask for assistance of the supervisor. Will be timely and accurate with patient hook up utilizing the international 10-20 system of measurement. Must be able to deliver compassionate quality care to our veteran population. Will educate the veteran and his/her family on the procedures that are performed. Will involve the veteran and his/her family in regard to decisions about sleep testing and therapy. Mask fitting & machine troubleshooting. Titrates patients on CPAP, BiPAP, & Auto-Servo ventilation devices to the patient's needs. Recognizes when a change in device type is required to adequately treat the veteran. Demonstrates courteous effective written and verbal communication. Demonstrates the ability to recognize and treat complex patients and can readily adapt to changing situations. Conduct all phases of home sleep studies. Provide education and assistance to the VA telehealth sleep program. Provides accurate, legible, and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy. Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. Annual Equipment Competencies maintained per departmental and unit specific standards. Follows all Joint Commission, VA, 673 Medical Group, OSHA, etc. safety policies and procedures including infection control and equipment usage. Accurately and timely records patient data, treatment, progress notes, etc. into VA and DoD patient records and/or other DOD computer programs Work Schedule: Night Shift Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. 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: GS12 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Sleep): Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Certification: Candidates must hold a RPSGT. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: a. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. b. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment. c. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters. d. Skill in scoring data both during and post diagnostic testing. e. Skill in analyzing data both during and post diagnostic testing. f. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing. g. Skill in the assessment of oxygenation, ventilation and adverse responses. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year experience of polysomnographic Technologist. ACLS/ALS highly desirable. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11, qualifications for Registered Respiratory Therapist. The vacancy is at full performance level. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (40 pounds and over), Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Heavy Carrying (45 Pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 Pounds): Straight pulling (2 hours), Pulling hand over hand (2 hours), Pushing (2 hours), Use of finger, Both hands required, Walking (12 hours), Standing (12 Hours), Repeated bending, Both legs required, Ability to distinguish basic color, Hearing (aid may be permitted). Environment Factors: Dry atmospheric condition, Slippery or uneven walking area, Working alone, Exposure to bodily fluids Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.