Polysomnographic Technologist

Sleep Technologist - (PRN)The Sleep Technologist works under the general supervision of the Sleep Technologist Supervisor, the medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. The Sleep Technologist is credentialed in sleep technology and is able to provide oversight of other sleep center staff. Technicians and trainees work under the direct supervision of the sleep technologist or the medical director.Sleep Study Preparation and Set-upCollect, 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).Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.Review the patient's history and verify the medical order.When patient arrives, verify identification, and collect documents.Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing.Provide age-appropriate patient education.Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.Sleep Study ProceduresFollow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and 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 American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards.Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of applicable age groups.Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures.Monitor patient safety and adhere to patient safety protocols.Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters; identify artifact, inadequate signals and equipment failures and generate an accurate report.Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.Respond to sleep patients' procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.Participate in the quality assurance program.Inspect and maintain sleep study related equipment and inventory.Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide appropriate feedback to staff.Assist the medical director, clinical director and/or manager in all aspects of sleep center operations.Hospital:Adheres to organization-wide and other applicable policies and procedures.Day-to-day performance complies with the hospital's Service Excellence Behavioral Expectations.Performs within the prescribed limits of the hospital's Ethics, Compliance and Confidentiality Program guidelines.Performs within professional Scope of Practice at all times.Other Duties As Assigned:Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.Minimum RequirementsEducational Requirements:Required: Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or Associates degree with an emphasis in sleep technologyORSuccessful 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 technicianANDCertification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds either the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credentialSpecial Skills and Abilities Required: Effective computer skills appropriate to the position. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work with a team, and with minimal supervision to analyze complex situations and apply policy.Licensure/Certification Required: 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; Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.Company ProfileCitizens Medical Center is a not-for-profit, community hospital known for compassionate patient care, clinical expertise, and bringing advanced medical services to the South Texas region since 1956. Today, Citizens is a 317-bed acute care hospital with over 1,200 employees. Voted "Best of the Best" hospital in Victoria for 14 consecutive years, Citizens Medical Center is a level III Trauma Center, with a newly renovated 24/7 Emergency Department that includes an onsite medical helicopter. Citizens has a comprehensive Community Cancer Program that includes two linear accelerators and HDR brachytherapy. Citizens is recognized for its outstanding cardiology program which includes a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center and is a Primary Stroke Center. Citizens also includes a comprehensive, accredited Bariatric Surgery program, Birth Center with labor and delivery, an imaging and surgery center, sleep study center, state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness center, urology center and daVinci robotics minimally invasive surgery options, a home health agency, and has a long history of providing continuing education for healthcare providers and the community.Citizens Medical Center is looking for employees who actively demonstrate service excellence by exemplifying our iCare values. If you are someone who displays respect and enthusiasm for patients, visitors, and coworkers while consistently upholding the hospital's commitment to providing outstanding outcomes, service excellence, and fiscal responsibility, then you could be a good fit for the CMC team!Job Preview Video Apply NowCitizens Medical Center is guided by its Mission – "to provide quality medical services at a reasonable cost to the citizens of the region."