Polysomnographic Technologist in Wellsville, New York at Jones Memorial Hospital
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Job Description
Statement of Purpose:
Works under the general supervision of the clinical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education.
MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Gather and Analyze Patient Information
- 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), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
- Complete and verify documentation.
- Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
2. Testing Preparation Procedures
- Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
- Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
- Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
- Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
3. Polysomnographic Procedures
- Follow procedural protocols such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration etc. to ensure collection of appropriate data.
- Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)
- Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
- Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and 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 continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc).
- Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)
- Demonstrate 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.
- Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
4. Polysomnographic Record Scoring
- Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
- Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) according to center specific protocols.
- Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
5. Service Management and Professional Issues
- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
- Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.
- Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
- Perform computerized documentation and uses computerized methods of communication.
- Assists in inservice education, mentoring or precepting of affiliated students.
- Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills.
- Demonstrate appropriate communication and social skills.
- Assist in marketing the sleep program at JMH- may visit provider offices, follow-up telephone calls. Respond to study participant’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information. Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
- Participate in QI/QA initiatives. Comply with the ABSM Standards of Conduct. Complete 10 CME annually. Order supplies.
- Complete downtime computer checks.
- Complete monthly interscorer analysis for AASM.
DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIORS:
- Demonstrates and exemplifies Code of Conduct and Ethical Behavior by:
a) Considering first the well-being of the patient.
b) Conducting all interactions with patients, visitors, employees, physicians, volunteers, healthcare providers or any other individuals in a courteous, honest and respectful manner.
c) Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior at all times.
d) Refraining from conduct that may reasonably be considered offensive to others or disruptive to the workplace or patient care. Offensive conduct may be written, oral or behavioral.
EDUCATION: High school diploma or equivalency required, plus completion of an approved associate or higher degree program in polysomnographic technology or another degree program in polysomnographic technology determined by the New York State Department of Education to be equivalent and hold a current NYS license and current registration as Registered Polysomnographic Technology (RPSGT) administered through The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). Current BLS/CPR certification required; ACLS certification is preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Two years performing above responsibilities preferred. Must be able to work independently.
CONTACTS: Frequent contact with patients. Occasional contact with providers, visitors, and other employees.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds, frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Works in normal hospital setting, exposed to chemical vapors such as cleaning supplies. There may also be skin contact with these substances. The employee may also be exposed to infectious agents including blood-borne pathogens. Hours are typically night shift hours; must be flexible to accommodate mandatory education and competency sessions scheduled primarily during day shift hours.