Polysomnographic Technologist

Sleep Center Technician

Performs duties in the Sleep Center including transporting and preparing the patient, preparing equipment and monitoring the night Polysomnograph study. Stages sleep studies and maintains files as required. Responsible for orientation, training, and developing new employees and students to the department.

Minimum Qualifications

Work Experience: Previous Sleep Lab or Respiratory Therapy experience strongly preferred.

Education: Completion of a Polysomnography program, Respiratory Care Program, or equivalent on the job training required.

Certifications/Licensure: Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPT), OR eligibility for one of the following equivalent credentials required (credential must be obtained within one year of placement): Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) by the American Board of Sleep Medicine; Certified Respiratory Therapist with Sleep Disorders Specialty (CRT-SDS) by the National Board of Respiratory Care; Registered Respiratory Therapist with Sleep Disorders Specialty (RRT-SDS) by the National Board of Respiratory Care. BLS certification required.

Job Specific Performance Standards

The duties listed below are a summary of the major essential functions of this position. The position may require other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned, and specific functions may change from time to time.

• Orientates, trains, and develops new employees and students to the department.
• Provides oversight, guidance and assistance to Polysomnographic Technicians.
• Scores Polysomnograms.
• Organizes and schedules Polysomnograms accordingly.
• Orders supplies as needed related to the sleep center.
• Maintains assigned areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Troubleshoots equipment and monitors patient throughout the night and ensures leads remain securely attached, recognizes respiratory events, recognizes cardiac events, and is available to the patient.
• Processes, cleans, changes, and sterilizes polysomnograph equipment. Assures preventative maintenance of equipment is up to date as required. Calibrates equipment according to Sleep Lab guidelines, including a physiological calibration prior to the beginning of each study.
• Maintains records pertaining to Sleep Center and JCAHO guidelines. Records and reports patient care procedures on appropriate forms according to departmental policy.
• Utilizes hospital computer system to access patient information and enter charges accurately.
• Performs patient hook ups according to the International 10-20 system, also including; monitoring devices such as thermocouple, respiratory effort belts, ETCO2 and Nasal Pressure cannulas, leg and chin EMG, EKG leads, pulse oximetry, CPAP or BIPAP, and other necessary electrodes as type of sleep study demands.
• Ensures paperwork has been completed such as, patient questionnaires, hourly technician observations, and takes photographs of each patient for chart.