Polysomnographic Technologist

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Our Sleep Center is on a mission to mitigate the impact of sleep disorders through identifying, treating, and understanding the very conditions that affect sleep and everyday functions. Complex disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy do more than disrupt sleep—they’re closely linked to serious health outcomes, like an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive issues, and liver and kidney problems.

As our Polysomnographic Technologist (PSG/Sleep) you will work under the general supervision of the medical director or designee to provide
comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education.

Every day, as a credentialed sleep technologist you will be able to provide oversight of other sleep center staff. Tech and trainees work under the direct supervision of the credentialed sleep technologist, lab supervisor/manager or the medical director.

To be successful, you will review the patient’s history and verify the medical order. Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study. 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). Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician
or clinical director and laboratory protocols. Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study. When patient arrives, verify identification, collect
documents and obtain consent for the study. Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing. Provide age appropriate patient education. Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.  Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards. Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization. Follow 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. Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments. Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.

• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures 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.).
• Document 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. Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Score 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. Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of young adult, adult, and geriatric patients. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures. Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters; identify artifact,
  inadequate signals and equipment failures and generate an accurate report.
• Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing. Monitor patient safety and adhere to patient safety protocols.
• Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide appropriate feedback to staff.
• Assist the medical director, clinical director and/or supervisor/manager in all aspects of sleep center operations.
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Adhere to sleep center policies and procedure. Participate in the quality assurance program. Comply with professional standards of conduct.

Required

Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency for all competencies required of a sleep technologist.

Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds either the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential.

Four to Six (4-6) years experience in an accredited lab required.

Assists others (as appropriate based on skill level) by demonstrating expertise of advance experience and or training as necessary for laboratory operation. Maintains an awareness of laboratory operations at all times and takes a leadership role to correct or redirect work when necessary and reports to the Supervisor.

Required Licensure and Certifications

Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) 
Basic Life Support - CPR American Heart Association (BLS-CPR)