Sleep Lab Technician

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the department management, the technician has these responsibilities: independently performs polysomnographic testing and associated interventions.

Responsibilities:

• Collects relevant information such as patient identification, procedure, appropriateness for indicated signs and symptoms, patient preparation, contraindications, patient assessment.
• maintains, evaluates, and improves the processes of analyzing information for patient safety
• Provides patient education
• Follows policies and procedures to perform procedures accurately and to determine each achieves the same outcome when performed by different staff.
• Evaluates the patient study in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner to determine if the intended outcome was achieved; uses judgment and systematic problem solving methods to optimize recording of PSGs, diagnostic procedures; communicates to physician when patient condition requires modification
• Documents required components of patient care.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Sleep specialty certification [registered polysomnographic technologists (RPSGT) or registered respiratory therapist-sleep disorder specialist (RRT-SDS) or certified respiratory therapist-sleep disorder specialist (CRT SDS)]. Required within 1 year of employment.
• BLS certification required or must complete BLS certification within the first two weeks of employment.
• Computer experience.
• Complete the job training program for new staff to become the Sleep Technician by completing online modules within 6 months. Or completion of a polysomnographic technology program or related training.
• Competency evaluation required to be approved by the Medical Director before working independently.
• Additional certification may be required for certain patient care settings. Specific information
• and the timeframe in which such certification must be attained will be provided by the department
• director/manager/supervisor at time of hire/transfer into department.

Preferred:

• Graduate of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree or higher with an emphasis in polysomnography required or allied healthcare credential (i.e. CRT, RRT, LPN, RN).
• Sleep specialty certification [registered polysomnographic technologists (RPSGT) or registered respiratory therapist-sleep disorder specialist (RRT-SDS) or certified respiratory therapist-sleep disorder specialist (CRT SDS)].
• ACLS is preferred.

Infection Control: Initial and Ongoing training in dealing with infection control. Trainings could include but are not limited to, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids and bio hazardous materials as it applies to your daily work environment.

Patient Interaction: Frequent

HIPAA: This position will have access to the following Protected Health Information in order to carry out the duties related to their position at Hays Medical Center based on the following criteria:
Primary - required (routine) to do the job;
Secondary - required for the job, but mostly be exception; and
None - no approved access

Description of Information
Primary:
Patient Demographic Information (information used to identify a person): Name, Date of Birth, Address, Race, Marital Status, Religion

Clinical Information (information that describes a patient's health status): Diagnosis, Reports/Medical Notes, Test Results, Problem List, Procedures, History and Physical

Secondary:
Financial Information/Insurance (information related to insurance, billing and payment): Billing Information, Payer Name, Payer ID, Account Balances, Plan Elements Covered, Payment Information, Payment Rates

Coding Information (clinical information that is in (alpha) numeric format): ICD-9 Codes, Rev Codes, CPT Codes