Sleep Tech

General Summary

· The Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director (M.D., D.O. or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. The Polysomnographic Technologist may provide supervision of other staff.

A sign-on bonus of $7,500 is available for an experienced sleep tech.

Essential Job Functions

· Gathers and analyzes patient information in order to identify and meet patient specific needs, and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

· Completes and verifies documentation.

· Explains pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.

· Performs testing preparation procedures, such as calibration of equipment, applying sensors and electrodes according to accepted published standards; performs appropriate physiologic calibrations, and performs positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

· Performs polysomnographic procedures following established protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data and documents appropriately.

· Follows “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values, and “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete data collection process.

· Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-trace quality to ensure signals are artifact free and makes adjustments if necessary.

· Documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.

· Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of patients.

· Implements appropriate interventions including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).

· Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.

· Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Scores clinical events according to center specific protocols. Assists with generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.

· Complies with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, regulations regarding safety and infection control standards as related to job.

· Performs routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.

· Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.

· Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.

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

· Demonstrates adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.

· Demonstrates adherence to AASM Scoring Manual parameters for HSAT, identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generates an accurate report.

· Demonstrates hospital’s stated mission, vision and values of teamwork, respect and communication with co-workers, patients, families and visitors.

· Actively and appropriately participates in problem-solving identification and resolution, both intra- and inter-departmentally.

· Meets department customer service standards and strives to enhance the level of customer service provided.

Qualifications

· Education

· Required: Successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year duration, associated with a state licensed or a nationally accredited education facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technician. A minimum of 6 months of experience as a sleep trainee with documented proficiency in all required competencies, or completion of the BRPT A-Step program

· Preferred: Associates Degree or Certification in an Allied Health profession.

· Work Experience

· Required: One year experience as a sleep technician. Background in Respiratory Therapy, Paramedic, or Registered Nurse.

· Licensure/Certifications/Registrations

· Required: Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or equivalent. BLS Certification

· Other Skills/Knowledge

· Required: Ability to perform EEG’s. Effective written and verbal communication skills.