The Polysomnography Technologist provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders through diagnostic testing and patient care. Responsibilities include preparing equipment, monitoring sleep studies, scoring clinical events, and implementing therapeutic interventions.
Requirements summary
Requires an associate degree or higher in Polysomnographic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing, with RPSGT certification required within 1.5 years. Must hold a NYS Respiratory Therapist/Technician or Polysomnographic License and maintain BLS certification.
Up to $25,000 sign on bonus for qualified Polysomnography Technologist!
Main function
A Polysomnography Technologist 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. After successful completion of the introductory period and appropriate competencies, the Polysomnography Technologist may function independently.
Duties: And responsibilities:
Gather and Analyze Patient Information *
1. Collects, analyzes and integrates 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.
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2. Completes and verifies documentation.
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3. Explains pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
Testing Preparation Procedures *
4. Prepares and calibrates equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
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5. Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
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6. Performs appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
8. Follows 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.
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9. Follows "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, Oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc).
Benefits
Sign On Bonus
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10. Performs Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
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11. 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.
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12. Implements appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc)
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13. Follows "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).
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14. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
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15. Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
Polysomnographic Record Scoring *
16. Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
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17. Scores clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc) according to center specific protocols.
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18. Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data
Service Management and Professional Issues *
19. Complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
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20. Performs routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.
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21. Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.
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22. Maintains current BLS certification.
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23. Demonstrates effective written and spoken communication skills.
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24. Demonstrates appropriate social skills.
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25. Responds to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
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26. Demonstrates the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
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27. Responsible for performing Sleep Lab QI data collection and analysis.
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28. Performs other duties as assigned.
Is responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs as required by position.
Employee understands and demonstrates the importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience with the Arnot Health.
It is understood that this lists typical duties for the classification and is not to be considered inclusive of all duties, which may be assigned.
Education and/or experience
Successful completion of an approved associate or higher degree program in Polysomnographic technology, respiratory therapy or nursing certified by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), within 1.5 years of acceptance of position. NYS Respiratory Therapist or Technician License or NYS Polysomnographic License.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Cpr) requirements
Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within 90 days of hire date. Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Exposure category
Category I. Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.
