A Polysomnographic Technician performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis and associated interventions under the general supervision of a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RST) and/or the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee.  Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values.

Schedule

Full-time, Day Shift 

6:30am-4:00pm

Rotating Weekends

Education

All staff must participate in an average of 10 hours per year AMA PRA Category I CME or CEU sleep or related educational activities with a minimum of 30 per three calendar years.

Must enroll in or have completed the A-Step Online Self Studies within 12 months of hire. OR Must be enrolled in or have completed training in polysomnography in a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) program with the polysomnography option or an Accredited Neurodiagnostic Technology (NDT) program.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

Must become registered RST or RPSGT within 18 months of hire.

Respiratory Care Practitioner (CRT, RRT, CPFT, RPFT) with current Illinois license preferred.

Current BLS certification required.

Domains of Practice

1. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I will put safety first in everything I do.  I will speak up, without fear, on matters of patient and colleague safety.  I will take action to create an environment of zero harm.

• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes -  I will continually advance my knowledge and skills.  I will seek out continuous improvement opportunities.  I will deliver evidence-based care that leads to excellence in outcomes.

• INTEGRITY: Show respect and Compassion  - I will respect others and show compassion.  I will behave honesty and ethically.  I will be accountable for my attitude, actions and health.

• STEWARDSHIP: Reduce Waste - I will use resources wisely and maintain financial stability.  I will work together to coordinate care and services across the health system.  I will promote healthier communities.

2. 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.

3. 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 calibration to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

4. 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 data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct 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 neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.

5. Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professional 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 date.

6. 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.
• Demonstrate effective written and spoken communications skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills
• Respond to study participant’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Comply with the ABSM Standards of Conduct.

7. Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.