Polysomnography Technologist (Sleep Tech) - Sleep Center - Nights

PRN (On Call As Needed)

Shift: Nights (10 hours)

Position Function: Under the direction of the Director of EEG/Sleep Center, provides polysomnography testing in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the Hospital and the EEG/Sleep Center. Also performs within American Association of Sleep Medicine Guidelines

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Consistently takes ownership of customer problems and follows through to close the loop with the customer.
2. Supports philosophy, goals and objectives of the EEG/Sleep Center and hospital.
3. Knows and follows organizational structure.
4. Provides basic patient care to meet the personal needs of patients throughout the shift.
5. Demonstrates knowledge and takes appropriate action in emergencies; provides for patient safety at all times.
6. Listens actively to complaints without being defensive and follows through to make things right.
7. Assists with orientation of new employees.
8. Assists co-workers with completion of skills without being asked to do so.
9. Maintains and demonstrates clinical knowledge and skills to remain current to meet unique needs of patients related to functional capacity, physical limitations, psychosocial needs and age/population-related illnesses.
10. Observes and documents routine observations including sleep stages, clinical events, changes in procedure and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation. Reports any changes in patient condition and/or behavior prior to and/or after procedure to the physician.
11. Collects, analyzes, and integrates patient information in order to identify and meet the patient's specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical history/social history) and to determine final testing parameters/procedures.
12. Compiles and verifies documentation.
13. Explain pretesting, testing, post testing procedures to patient.
14. Instructs patients in the use of PAP therapy during the testing procedure. Assists patients needing acclimation trials with PAP therapy. Is supportive and reassuring. Reinforces to the patient the importance of compliance with a treatment plan when established by the physician.
15. Prepares the patient testing room making sure they are neat, clean and safe and pleasant environment for the patient.
16. Makes sure that all clean equipment is properly stored.
17. Scores sleep/wake stage and clinical events according to professionally accepted guidelines (AASM). Generates accurate reports by tabulating clinical event data for the interpreting physician. Pays attention to neatness and accuracy.
18. Participates in attending professional meetings, seminars, literature/journal reviews online courses and/or webinars. Obtains 10 hours per year category ICME or CECS sleep related educational activities to remain current in sleep medicine. CEUs/CECs must be obtained from various facets of sleep community ( BRPT, AASM, APT, AAST)
19. Is receptive and implements suggestions for improving quality of any procedures using LEAN concepts.
20. Develops a minimum of 1 Opportunity for Improvement per quarter on an ongoing basis with summary of problem or area for improvement.
21. Actively participates in departmental education programs.
22. Responds to study participants' procedural -related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
23. Demonstrates the ability to be pro-active when interacting with customers to provide satisfaction.
24. Demonstrates a positive, open-minded, can-do attitude. Represents a team perspective and a willingness/enthusiasm to embrace and facilitate change.
25. Completes all documentation necessary related to the testing process. This includes computerized and paper tracking logs, all necessary paperwork for the patient file and computerized documentation, as well as testing related charges.
26. Accurately measures according to International 10-20 system including full head measurement.
27. Implements appropriate interventions ( including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.)
28. Applies EEG, EOG, EKG and EMG electrodes in a timely manner and per established department policies. Follows AEEGS and AASM guidelines.
29. Applies appropriate transducers to monitor respiratory effort, airflow and oxygen saturation.
30. Ensures that electrode impedances meet lab standards.
31. Recognizes, monitors and/or eliminates electrode artifacts such as high impedance leads, muscle artifacts, eye movements, respiration artifact and EKG artifact in order to obtain an adequate test.
32. Performs sleep studies, MSLTs, MWTs, and scoring of sleep studies accurately and in accordance with AASM guidelines. Performs in an efficient and productive manner.
33. Monitors patients throughout the shift. Identifies normal patterns and observes cardiac rhythm and respiratory status for any abnormalities and documents.
34. Implements alternative non-standard montages (full head hook up for nocturnal seizures) and machine settings to better define abnormalities. This includes filter and sensitivity controls and/or use of extra electrodes.
35. Recognizes various medical and pharmacological conditions which influence the study. Correlates abnormal EEG and polysomnogram test results with various disease states. Documents.
36. Demonstrates knowledge and proper use of home sleep testing devices to include application and removal of sensors, instruction of patient use, and troubleshooting.
37. Accurately performs data transfers, uploads, downloads, erasing of PHI on HSTs.
38. Properly cleans HST device upon return per established infection control protocol.
39. Accurately scores HST data per most current version AASM guidelines. Generates accurate reports by tabulating clinical event data.
40. Has knowledge of diagnosis and management of sleep disorders, with focus on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
41. Understands communication techniques for teaching and the principles of learning to enhance education for patients, families, and the community.
42. Understands what to look for and how to analyze the results of the various tests and tools used to diagnose, evaluate, and monitor sleep disorders.
43. Knows how to assess patient compliance and comfort with treatment to improve clinical outcomes.
44. Knows when and how to communicate effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to report new or continued symptom, persistent treatment issues, or barriers to optimal care and management.
45. Attends 100% of staff meetings unless on approved vacation or sick leave.
46. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Standards

Education: Successful completion of a polysomnography training program; or possess 1 year polysomnography experience with patients of all age groups which must be within the last 3 years; or 6 months experience with patients in all age groups, and credentials in a related field (EEG, Respiratory Therapy, Cardiovascular, Nursing).

Experience: Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required. Minimum of one year experience performing polysomnograms, CPAP titration, Multiple Sleep Latency Test, Maintenance of wakefulness Testing, and sleep study scoring in a laboratory, patient room or Critical Care setting preferred.

Certifications/Licensure: Registered Polysomnography Technologist (R. Psg T.) preferred. If not currently registered, required to sit for and pass BRPT exam within 18 months of the initial date of hire to this position. BLS certification required.