Polysomnographic Technician II

POSITION SUMMARY

A Polysomnographic Technician II performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the general oversight of a clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee. A Registered Polysomnographic Technician, RPSGT can provide supervision of a Certified Polysomnographic Technician, CPSGT.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

1) Associate degree preferred with an emphasis in polysomnography or successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience:

1) Associate degree preferred with an emphasis in polysomnography or successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one 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.

Experience:

1) One (1) year experience as a Registered Polysomnographic Technician preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1) Demonstrates effective written and spoken communication skills.

2) Demonstrates appropriate social skills.

3) Demonstrates ability to follow direction.

License/Certification/Registration:

1) Meets the American Heart Association's standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.

2) Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or equivalent required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General supervision provided by Manager Outpatient service, Sleep Medical Director, and/or the Sleep Lab Supervisor.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Gathers and Analyzes Patient Information

• Verifies the medical order and protocol.

• Registers patients and verifies all insurance and demographic information, outpatient data, and any other patient/family information deemed necessary.

• Explains pre-testing, testing, and post testing as well as orient the patient to the Sleep Lab.

• Follows Testing Preparation Procedures

• Prepares and calibrates equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning.

• Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Performs appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals.

• Performs routine positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

• Performs Polysomnographic Procedures

• Follows procedural protocols (such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT),Home sleep studies, Daytime sleep studies, sleep studies, PAP, and oxygen titration, etc. to ensure collection of appropriate data.

• Follows "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify and report signal abnormalities.
• Documents routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
• Assists with appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follows "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and completes the data collection process (e.g. repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).

• Assists with assorted clerical duties including, but not limited to: scheduling, maintaining required data, ordering of supplies and linen, managing patient files, and report distribution. Assists in compiling information for Performance Improvement programs.

• Performs Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Scores sleep/wake stages under the direct supervision of the Medical Director, the Sleep Lab Coordinator, and/or the Sleep Lab Supervisor by applying professionally accepted guidelines.

• Scores clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) under the direct supervision of the center Medical Director, the Sleep Lab Coordinator, and/or the Sleep Lab Supervisor by applying professionally accepted guidelines.

• Completes accurate reports under the direct supervision of the Medical Director the Sleep Lab Coordinator, and/or the Sleep Lab Supervisor by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.

• Complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.

• Participates in equipment care and maintenance.

• Initiates and maintains contact with Durable Medical Equipment (DME) companies to assure equipment is available to patients.

• Mentors staff through the ASTEP process, assists them with obtaining RPSGT. Fills in staffing as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.