Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Fee Basis

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Fee Basis

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Los Angeles, California

Salary Range: $35 - $45 Fee Basis

Job Summary: The Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) position is located at The Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration Healthcare System (GLAVAHS).

Major Duties:

• The duties include but are not limited to: Polysomnography (PSG) Scorer reviews and interprets the raw data from a sleep study (polysomnogram) in 30-second increments called "epochs". Apply American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines to classify sleep stages, detect abnormal breathing events, and identify other sleep-related abnormalities. Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form. Core Responsibilities of a PSG Scorer: Data Analysis: Reviewing approximately 1,000 pages (epochs) of data per study. Quality Control: Troubleshooting artifacts (non-sleep activity) to determine if they are actual events or just movement. Report Generation: Compiling the scored data into a comprehensive report for a sleep physician to create a diagnosis and treatment plan. Adherence to Guidelines: Using AASM guidelines, such as defining apnea as a 50% or more decrease in airflow for at least 10 seconds with a 3% or 4% oxygen drop. Scoring consists of two passes through the data to define specific metrics: Sleep Stages: Each 30-second epoch is classified as Wake, NREM Stage N1, N2, N3 (deep sleep), or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep by evaluating brain activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), and chin muscle tone (EMG). Respiratory Events: The scorer identifies and tallies abnormal breathing, including: Apnea: A complete or near-complete cessation of airflow lasting at least 10 seconds. Hypopnea: A partial reduction in airflow followed by an arousal or a drop in oxygen levels. Arousals: Sudden shifts in brain wave activity indicating brief interruptions in sleep. Leg Movements: Identification of periodic leg movements (PLMD), which may cause sleep fragmentation. Heart Rhythm: Analysis of electrocardiogram (EKG) for cardiac rhythm abnormalities. Oxygen Saturation: The level of oxygen in the blood, identifying times of desaturation (drops)

Qualifications: Basic Requirements: Citizenship: US. Citizenship required. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable with the possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which doesn't result in official certification does not meet this definition. English Proficiency: Proficient in English (written and spoken) is required for patient care positions Preferred Certification: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS), Registered Sleep Technologists (RST), or Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications are also highly preferable for employees at this level. Required 1 year Experience: Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations. Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep. This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings. Physical Requirements: See VHA Handbook 5019

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-22