The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (Tech) works under the general supervision of Director, Supervisors or designee. Provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services, or patient care and education. The Tech applies and calibrates a range of monitoring and testing devices to specified sleep disorder patients, in accordance with pre-established clinical protocol. The Tech takes various physiological and neurological measurements of sleeping and waking states, using a range of instrumentation.

The Tech must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served in his/her department. The individual must acquire and/or demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. He/she must be able to provide care with consideration of developmental status.

The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist is responsible for performing neurological and sleep testing as well as related work as required or assigned, and is required to take call as assigned. The Registered Polysomnographic Tech is responsible for performing tasks in a timely manner that is consistent with the procedures of the department and the Medical Center and should use sound judgment when dealing with the public, physicians or other matters related to the department or Medical Center. If credentialed in respiratory therapy as well, able to perform duties of REC II, III, OR IV.

 

PRIMARY (ESSENTIAL) DUTIES

• Collect, analyze and integrate patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs, i.e., physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history, and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or Department Director and laboratory protocols.
• Complete and verify documents.
• Explain pre-testing, testing and post-testing procedures to the patient and respond to study participant=s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted standards.
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting, if appropriate.
• Follow procedural protocols, e.g., Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration, etc., to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Follow Alights out@ procedures to establish and document baseline values, such as body position, oxyhomoglobin 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 polysomnograpahic results.
• Implement appropriate interventions as well as oversee and perform difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions, including actions necessary for patient safety and continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.
• Follow Alights 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.
• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events, such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movement, arousals, etc., according to specific protocols.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance and evaluate sleep-study related equipment and inventory.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Work is assigned by the Department Director, Supervisors or designee. Routines of job function are established and followed per department policy.

 

DEPARTMENT RELATIONSHIP

Sleep Center staff are supervised by Director, Supervisors or designee. The Supervisor is next in line of authority or designee.

 

PUBLIC CONTACT

A large amount of physician, patient and public contact is required. The Tech must demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills and appropriate social skills. Demonstrates a commitment to the key values of Service to the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication.

 

GUEST RELATIONS

At all times, consideration and attention will be given to patients, families and general public, and the Philosophy of the Medical Center will be practiced thoroughly as an employee of the department.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

 

During the performance of the job duties, the employee may be exposed to chemical vapors such as acetone, ether or glutaraldehyde. There may be skin contact with these substances. The employee may be exposed to infections agents including blood-borne pathogens.

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associates degree with emphasis in polysomnography from an accredited program; or a one (1) year vocational program through an accredited educational facility; or equivalent experience and documented proficiency of competencies required of a Polysomnographic Tech. Requires certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist. Must maintain current CPR or BCLS certification. Licensed by the Kentucky State Board of Medicine.

About Logan Memorial Hospital

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