POLYSOMNOGRAPHER - SLEEP STUDY LAB

Polysomnographer - Sleep Study Lab

FHN Memorial Hospital - Freeport, IL 61032

Overview

Salary Range $23.80 - $39.28 Hourly Position Type Flexible Full-time: F.8 (60-72) Job Shift Nights Category Health Care

Description

Performs overnight and home sleep studies (polysomnograms) and related diagnostic procedures to support the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related disorders. Studies include preparation and testing of patients.

Job Responsibilities

• Other duties may be assigned.
• Provides patient education by preparing patients for overnight or home sleep studies, explaining procedures and answering questions to ensure comfort and cooperation.
• Performs diagnostic sleep studies, CPAP titrations and MSLT.
• Prepares and calibrates equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and signals
• Selects and applies special monitoring electrodes, bands, thermistors, and other monitoring probes to appropriate areas of the patient's body
• Prepares positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fittings.
• Follows sleep procedures to establish and document baseline values such as body position, movements, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates
• Assists with scoring sleep/wake stages and with the generation of accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc
• Implements appropriate interventions including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous (CPAP) and bi-level (BIPAP) positive airway pressure and oxygen administration
• Assist with procedures and therapeutic interventions such as auto servo ventilation (SV) titrations, average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT)
• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to recognize and eliminate all artifacts observed during the test
• Follows wake procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires
• Sets up video and audio monitoring apparatus
• Keeps the equipment in clean operating condition, detecting instrument malfunctions, making minor adjustments, and reporting the need for major repairs
• Monitors equipment supply levels and maintains appropriate equipment at hand
• Schedules and discusses the test process with patients, ensures their knowledge of the process, and answers their questions
• Monitor and record physiology data during studies, ensuring data quality and patient safety.
• Score and interpret raw data in accordance with AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) guidelines for physician review.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Maintains and troubleshoots sleep study equipment and ensure the environment is clean and safe.
• Participates in continuing education and quality assurance programs.

Qualifications

Requirements

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Successful completion of a Polysomnography program associated with a state license and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience.

Required Experience:

Knowledge of sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm disorders and diagnostic criteria. Strong attention to detail and ability to analyze complex data. Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with patients and the healthcare team. Comfortable working overnight shifts in a hospital environment. Proficient in using hospital EMR system and sleep lab software.

Licensure/Certification/Registration:

BLS Certification required. Must be registered by the ABSM, NBRC, or BRPT or accepted to sit for the registry examination. Must obtain the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) certification within 2 years of hire.

Populations Served:

While performing this job, the employee may care for patients in the following age groups.

• Neonate (<30 days)
• Infant (<1 year)
• Early Childhood (1 year - <5 years)
• Late Childhood (5 years - <13 years)
• Adolescent (13 years - <17 years)
• Young Adult (17 years - <30 years)
• Middle Adult (3 years - <60 years)
• Older Adult (>60 years)
• Services patients in areas other than direct patient care.