Registered Polysomnographic Tech

A Polysomnographic Technologist and Technician works under the general supervision of the clinical director (MD, DO or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. A Polysomnographic Technologist can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may provide supervision of other staff. Technical staff must be appropriately trained and supervised. It is the responsibility of the Medical Director to ensure that training is provided and documented for technical personnel. Technologist staffing must be adequate to address the workload of the Sleep Center and assure the safety of the patients. As per AASM recommendations, a patient to technician/technologist ratio of 2:1 under usual circumstances for attended polysomnographic testing.n nSchedule nFull Time, Day Shift n7:00am-5:00pm nRotating Weekendsn

Education:

Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography OR successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technician.

All staff must participate in an average of 10 hours per year, AMA PRA Category I CME or CEU sleep related educational activities over a three year period.

Non-registered must be enrolled in or have completed the A-Step Online Self Studies.

Non-registered clinicians must complete A-Step Online Self Study Modules within 2 years of enrollment. - OR Must be enrolled in or have completed training in polysomnograpy in a program accredited by the Commision of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) program with the polysomnography option.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

Registered in sleep technology by: American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM), Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (BRPT), or another organization that offers the equivalent examination accepted by the AASM.

Non-registered: Graduate Respiratory Therapy Program: RRT or CRT with current license.

Or successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography (ie Respiratory Therapy, EEG)

Or successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technologist.

Must become registered in sleep: RPSGT, RST (or accepted equivalent) within 18 months of hire.

Must maintain current CPR or BCLS certification

Gather and Analyze Patient Information

• 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) and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
• Complete and verify documentation.
• Explain pre-testing, testing and post-testing procedures to the patient.

Testing Preparation Procedures

• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibration to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

Polysomnographic Procedures

• 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.
• Follow "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, Oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and 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 continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.

Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professional accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) according to center specific protocols.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event date.

Service Management and Professional Issues

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.
• Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Demonstrate effective written and spoken communications skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills
• Respond to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Comply with the AASM Standards of Conduct.