Polysomnographic Technologist

Description

A sleep technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. A sleep technologist is credentialed in sleep technology and able to perform the duties defined for a sleep technician and is able to provide oversight of other sleep center staff.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• 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).
• Review the patient's history and verify the medical order.
• Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study. Perform operational checks prior initiating the study and ensure the accuracy and safety of instruments in use during patient recording.
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study. Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or out of center sleep testing.
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desentization.
• 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.
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other 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 positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.)
• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
• Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report

Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology.

OR

• Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency for all competencies required of a sleep technician.

Certification:

• Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds either the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential.
• Current CPR certification required

Experience:

• Minimum 1-year work related experience.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the testing procedures, protocols and care of patients with sleep/wake disorders.
• Knowledge of the equipment used in the testing of patients with sleep and wake disorders.
• Comply with applicable laws, guidelines and standards regarding safety/infection control issues.
• Follow HIPPA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Able to work hands‑on with patients.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to apply written instructions and standardized work practices.

Work Environment

• Position in a well lighted office environment. Frequent interaction with a varied and diverse patient population.
• Employee may be exposed to chemical vapors such as cleaning and disinfecting solutions. There may also be skin contact with these substances.
• Employee may be exposed to infectious agents including bloodborne pathogens

Physical Requirements

• Requires manual and finger dexterity, eye-hand coordination for the operation of the sleep study equipment; training on equipment provided. Frequent lifting & assist patients in and out of wheelchairs with weights up to 300 lbs.
• Involves sitting approximately 80 percent of the day, walking or standing the remainder.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Safety:

• All employees are responsible for complying with safe and healthful work practices as outlined in the Company's Employee Safety and Injury and Illness Prevention Program and policies and procedures specific to their department needs.