Polysomnographic Technologist

Job Summary

Performs duties under the general supervision of the Sleep Lab Coordinator and the Clinical Medical Director (M.D., D.O., or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, Home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: None.
Substitutable Education & Experience: Education can be substituted for successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technician.
Required Certifications/Licensure: Certification as a registered sleep technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) or Registered Respiratory Therapist;

Infant/Child and Adult BLS.
Required Training: None.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for the following patient population:           
  • Child (3 years through 12 years)         
  • Adolescent (13 years through 17 years)        
  • Adult (18 through 65 years)          
  • Geriatric (over 65 years)
• Reviews history, physical information, medications, procedure request and study protocol.
• Collects, analyzes and integrates patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician and laboratory protocols.
• Completes and verifies documentation, orders and consent for procedure.
• Orients the patient to the sleep lab, explains pre-testing, testing and post-testing procedures that are age appropriate for the patient.
• Prepares and calibrates equipment required for testing to determine proper function and make adjustments if necessary.
• Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards. Performs appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and makes adjustments as necessary. Performs Positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fittings.
• Follows procedural protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Follows “lights out” procedures including physiologic calibrations to establish and document baseline values and proper signals making adjustments as necessary.
• Performs Polysomnographic 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 significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of results.
• Implement appropriate interventions (Including CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen administration).
• Follows “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete data collection process.
• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
• Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, Etc. per AASM Standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures to comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Performs routine and complex equipment care and maintenance. Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Complies with the BRPT Standards of Conduct or applicable certifying board.
• Demonstrates effective computer skills, written and spoken communication skills.
• Demonstrates appropriate social skills attempting to understand situations before making judgements and acting.
• Demonstrate customer service skills including but not limited to being approachable and respond to inquiries with compassion and a positive attitude.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision with ability to adapt quickly to complex situations and apply policy.
• Demonstrate teamwork skills to gain trust and support of peers to complete duties and problem solve situations.
• Demonstrate ability to follow direction seeking feedback, gaining insight to mistakes and open to constructive criticism.
• Embodies those behaviors, philosophies and values which serve to uphold the ideals and enhance the image of Lexington Medical Center.
• Works in a cooperative manner, which fosters favorable relations between employees and patients, patients’ families, visitors, fellow employees and the medical staff.
• Performs all other duties as assigned following LMC and sleep center policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in treatment, assessment and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients to build rapport with the patient putting them at ease.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment patient education and instruction, preparation, data download, cleaning and disinfection.
• Scores HSAT recordings according to AASM scoring parameters; identify artifact, inadequate signals, and study failures, and generate an accurate report.