POLYSOMNOGRAPHER

Polysomnographic Technician

$2,000 SIGN ON BONUS

The polysomnographic technician performs independent sleep testing, preliminary analysis, education and clinical oversight of the patient throughout the testing process. Extensive knowledge of sleep equipment and software is utilized to ensure quality outcomes. Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health sleep lab locations.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the hospital and department policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care.
• Performs and/or assists with patient care needs as directed.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.
• Interacts with assigned patients, make pertinent observations of patient's behaviors, reports and records names. Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
• Diligently observes assigned patients within the sleep lab.
• Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient family/significant others and documents accordingly.
• Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Polysomnographer.
• Demonstrates the ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command, refers patients questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate. Provide and document patient/family education.
• Assists in the department's compliance with the state, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
• Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys. Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits. Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
• Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections.
• Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained in an assigned area. Replenish as needed.
• Monitors sterile supplies for expiration dates and replaces as needed.
• Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas.
• Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
• Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
• Uses computer as required for email, scheduling, registration, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.as needed.
• Provides and participates in sleep focused educational opportunities as required, both as a participant and presenter.
• Makes recommendations for staff development.
• Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
• Collect, perform preliminary analysis, and integrate the patient information in order to identify specific patient testing needs.
• Enter patient information accurately into hospital IT systems.
• Appropriately identify patient utilizing name and date of birth.
• Explain pre-testing, testing and post-testing procedures to the patient.
• Prepare patient and equipment for testing.
• Calibrate equipment to ensure proper function.
• Apply electrodes to patient according to accepted standards.
• Perform physiological calibrations to validate proper signals.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting prior to PAP titration testing.
• Perform polysomnographic procedures.
• Adhere to approved sleep industry protocols such as seizure studies, parasomnia studies, and PAP and/or oxygen titration studies. Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Follow "lights out" procedure to establish and document baseline values (body position, SpO2 value, heart rate, initial PAP pressure, etc.)
• Perform polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study tracing to ensure signals are artifact free. Document abnormalities and attempts to correct.
• Document routine clinical observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedures, and other things that could affect scoring.
• Assist with any necessary interventions to ensure patient safety.
• Remove testing equipment from patient and have patient complete survey.
• Performs preliminary scoring of tests once credentialled.
• Accurately scores sleep/wake stages utilizing real time "score on the fly" method once credentialled.
• "Score on the fly" to include cardiac events, limb movements, respiratory events, and arousals once credentialled.
• Allows the registered polysomnographic tech to generate an accurate report by noting pertinent technical comments.
• Performs equipment cleaning as required.
• Maintains license, certification and clearances as required.
• Demonstrates appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to follow directions.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education
• Completion of CPSGT registry examination within 90 days of hire including on the job training.
• Completion of required modules and RPSGT registry examination within fifteen (15) months of hire.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of clinical practices.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office)

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in a medial related field
• One (1) year of sleep lab experience
• Related training/experience working as a Polysomnographer in a sleep lab or experience as a registered respiratory therapist working with Bipap or Cpap units

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled on night shift based on operational need. (training may impact this schedule).
• Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health Sleep facilities. Independence Health System locations.

Physical Demands/Requirements

• The physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, walking, standing, fine finger manipulation, keyboard/computer operation, gross grasp, hand/arm coordination, push/pull or carry less than 10 pounds. Seeing near with acuity, hearing clearly, reaching above shoulder level, push/pull objects over head,reaching forward, lifting floor to knuckle. Occasional kneeling, squatting, crouching, twisting or turning.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines