Polysomnographic Tech I/II/III - Kelsey Seybold Clinic - Sleep Clinic

Polysomnographic Technologist

Explore opportunities with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, part of the Optum family of businesses. Work with one of the nation's leading health care organizations and build your career at one of our 40+ locations throughout Houston. Be part of a team that is nationally recognized for delivering coordinated and accountable care. As a multi-specialty clinic, we offer care from more than 900 medical providers in 65 medical specialties. Take on a rewarding opportunity to help drive higher quality, higher patient satisfaction and lower total costs. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing Together.

A Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the clinical director (MD, DO, or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. A Polysomnographic Technologist can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may provide supervision of other staff.

In addition to the above duties, one will be expected to communicate with patients, families and the community to educate individuals on sleep disorders, good sleep hygiene, and ways to optimize treatment, methods to improve and monitor compliance with prescribed treatment and assists patients in eliminating barriers to their care in order to maximize their treatment outcomes. The person in this position will work closely with the Sleep disorders technical staff, pulmonary/sleep clinic and DME vendors. Whether instructing a patient about home sleep testing equipment, desensitizing a patient to positive airway pressure or performing the actual set up of the PAP equipment, one should communicate and document in a positive and thorough fashion.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Gather and Analyze Patient Information
  • Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (Physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols
  • Complete and verify documentation
  • Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient
• Testing Preparation Procedures
  • Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary
  • Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards
  • Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary
  • Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting
• Polysomnographic Procedures
  • Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data
  • Follow 'lights out' procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxy-hemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)
  • Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary
  • Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of Polysomnographic results
  • Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc)
  • Follow 'lights on' procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients
  • Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions
• Polysomnographic Record Scoring
  • Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines
  • Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) according to center specific protocols
  • Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data
• Service Management and Professional Issues
  • Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues
  • Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance
  • Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory
  • Maintain current CPR or BCLS certification
  • Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills
  • Demonstrate appropriate social skills
  • Respond to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy
  • Meetings/Training: Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and training
• Appointment Scheduling: Schedule and coordinate appointments for sleep studies with external providers, follow up appointments with pulmonary department, and home visits with DME company representatives Schedule internal appointments in the computer system following clinic standards and procedures. Schedule external appointments providing instructions and prep when necessary
• Follows protocols for home studies, overnight pulse oximetry, desensitization, mask fit, and actigraphy
• Database Management: Maintain tracking of DME referrals, sleep studies scheduled, performed, completed, and read. Maintain records of patients who cancel or reschedule for tracking and follow-up. Checks and ensures that all studies are accomplished by schedule dates. Utilizes all software and data management systems, including Encore Anywhere
• Follow Up: Communicates with providers about patient status following tests and treatment indicated. Communicate with vendors to ensure timely delivery of equipment and supplies. Communicate with CRC regarding insurance or UR issues. Ensure all information is current and accurate in database
• Education: Provides education to patients as needed for sleep study process and equipment. Is available as a resource for staff at KSC out-reach locations
• Medical Records Processing: Data base maintenance and information coordination. Document outcome data from every episode of care for each patient

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, Successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year duration, associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility OR 6+ months of experience as a Polysomnographic Trainee with documented proficiency in all required competencies
• Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
• Certified Sleep Educator or eligible and/or Credentialed Respiratory Therapist
• BLS through American Heart Association
• 6+ months of experience in sleep lab setting 1+ years in sleep lab setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience in a sleep lab setting
• Experience with Pediatric population

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $24 - $43 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation