SLEEP LAB TECH II

Sleep Lab Tech II

A RT Sleep Technician works under the general supervision of the medical director (MD, DO, PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. The RT Technician must work with a registered/board certified polysomnographic technologist and can offer some guidance/supervision of sleep technicians (sleep tech I). RT sleep technicians can be hired into the Sleep Tech II position to compensate them appropriately for their current RT certification and with the understanding that an RPSGT certification must be obtained within 6-8 months of hire and be Virginia Board Certified within 18 months of hire. The RT Sleep Technician will not earn the title of sleep technologist until both RPSGT and VA Board of Medicine license are obtained. Once these certifications/licensures are obtained, the RT Sleep Technician will be promoted to a Respiratory Sleep Technologist position (sleep tech III).

A polysomnographic technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director (MD, DO, PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. A sleep technologist is able to perform the duties defined for a sleep technician and is able to provide oversight of other sleep center staff. The sleep technologist is credentialed in sleep technology.

Sleep Lab Tech II responsibilities include:

• Collects, analyzes and integrates 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.
• Reviews patients' history, verify the medical order and follow sleep facility protocols related to the sleep study
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
• Explains the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing.
• Selects appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Performs routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
• Performs appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Prepares and instructs patient in both in laboratory studies and home sleep apnea testing.
• Follows procedural protocols (Polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test(MWT), parasomnia studies, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) and Oxygen Titration, etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Follows "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
• Documents 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.
• Implements appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follows "lights on" procedure 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.)
• Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Scores clinical events (respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards and center specific protocols.
• Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Performs patient education and instruction appropriate for out of center sleep testing.
• Demonstrates adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
• Demonstrates adherence to AASM Scoring Manual for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report.
• Complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Performs routine equipment care, maintenance and inventory evaluation
• Responds to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Adheres to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.
• Reviews and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Complies with professional standards of conduct.
• Assists the facility director and/or manager in all aspects of sleep facility operations.
• Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• A polysomnographic technologist shall be responsible for supervision of unlicensed polysomnographic personnel who work under his direction and shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for patient care and outcomes under his clinical supervision.
• Delegation to unlicensed polysomnographic personnel shall not include delegation of the discretionary aspects of the initial assessment, evaluation, or development of a treatment plan for a patient nor shall it include any task requiring a clinical decision or the knowledge, skills, and judgment of a licensed polysomnographic technologist. Only be made if, in the judgment of the polysomnographic technologist, the task or procedures to not require the exercise of professional judgement, can be properly and safely performed by appropriately trained unlicensed personnel, and the delegation does not jeopardize the health or safety of the patient. Be communicated on a patient-specific basis with clear, specific instructions for performance of activities, potential complications, and expected results.
• The frequency, methods, and content of supervision are dependent on the complexity of patient needs, number and diversity of patients, demonstrated competency and experience of the unlicensed personnel, and the type and requirements of the practice settings.
• The polysomnographic technologist providing clinical supervision shall routinely meet with any unlicensed personnel to review and evaluate patient care and treatment.
• The polysomnographic technologist shall review note on patient care entered by unlicensed personnel prior to reporting study results to the supervising physician and shall, by some method, document in a patient record that such a review has occurred.
• Communication is generally limited to persons within the immediate work unit or department and includes physicians, patients and patients' family in a diverse population.
• Access and exposure to confidential information is required for the performance of the job.
• Suggests cost containment initiatives in immediate work unit/department
• Uses discretion within parameters of department policies, procedures and protocols. Resolves most issues and problems, but refers the most complex issues and problems to the Clinical Team Leader or Director/Manager.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Work is performed in patient care environment and is often fast-paced, requiring use of prioritization skills