Polysomnography Technologist - Center for Sleep Medicine - Per Diem

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent

2. Successful completion of a sleep technology program.

3. Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or eligible for RPSGT or Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), or Certified Polysomnographic Technologist.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

5. Two (2) years of experience in a sleep lab.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Three (3) years of experience in a sleep lab.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. 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).

2. Determines final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or medical director and sleep center protocols.

3. Reviews the patient's history and verify medical orders.

4. Follows sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.

5. When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.

6. Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing using age appropriate patient education.

7. Selects appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.

8. Administers oxygen and nasal continuous airway pressure and employs ventilatory assist devices in accordance with established protocols set forth by the medical director. Such knowledge provides the basis for monitoring polysomnograms and recognizing pathology that requires treatment. The technologist understands the function of equipment used to monitor and record breathing (airflow/effort), electroencephalogram (brain waves), electrocardiograms (heart rate and rhythm), electromyogram (muscle activity), and pulse oximety (blood oxygenation/saturation).

9. Follows 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.

10. Performs special procedures such as multiple sleep latency testing and ambulatory monitoring.

11. Scores 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.

12. Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.

13. Interviews patient to assess current medications, recent caffeine or alcohol ingestion, current sleep patterns, and need for treatment intervention during testing (e.g. medications/special needs).

14. Performs patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.

15. Cleans, disinfects, and follows infection control procedures.

16. Performs routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation. Inspect and maintain sleep study related equipment and inventory.

17. Responds to sleep patients' procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.

18. Prepares department for joint commission, AASM and other regulatory surveys and participates in CQI activities. Performs other related duties as assigned and/or necessary to assure appropriate patient care

19. Assists the medical director, clinical director and/or manager in all aspects of sleep center operations.

20. Performs other related duties as assigned and/or necessary to assure appropriate patient care/department needs, including being cross trained to cover at all positions, in order to maintain consistent coverage/staffing within the department.

Physical Requirements:

1. Occasional sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, frequent standing, walking & transferring of patients. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

2. Required to sit and carefully monitor polysomnograms and patients for several continuous hours.

3. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide testing and treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.

4. Requires ability to see computer screen and reports. Visually and audibly assess patient and environment and assess patient subjective complaints.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Ability to integrate basic understanding of anatomy and physiology with sleep/wake pathology.

2. Broad knowledge of all polysomnographic procedures as performed in the Sleep Center.

3. Ability to apply professional judgment to attain optimal technical results.

4. Ability to understand indications, contraindications and adverse effects of nasal continuous and bi-level positive pressure and oxygen administration.

5. Understanding of the equipment used to monitor and record breathing (airflow/effort), electroencephalogram (brain waves), electrocardiogram (heart rate and rhythm), electromyogram (muscle activity), and pulse oximetry (blood oxygenation/saturation).

5. Knowledge of special procedures such as multiple sleep latency testing, maintenance of wakefulness and ambulatory monitoring is necessary.

6. Available to perform in-house, portable studies on patients unable to come to the Sleep Center.

7. Attention to detail is required for ensuring patient education, safety, comfort as well as discussing clinical situations with physicians

8. Know when to consult the physician regarding patient's care and must react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.