What are the responsibilities and job description for the Polysomnographic Technologist - Full Time position at Hackensack Meridian Health?
Description
Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.
The Polysomnographic Tech performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis and associated interventions under the general oversight of the Technical Director. The Tech also provides supervision and training of a Polysomnographic Trainee.
Responsibilties
A day in the life of a Polysomnographic Technologist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.
The Polysomnographic Tech performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis and associated interventions under the general oversight of the Technical Director. The Tech also provides supervision and training of a Polysomnographic Trainee.
Responsibilties
A day in the life of a Polysomnographic Technologist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:
- Perform mask fitting. Follow protocol to implement appropriate therapeutic intervention with CPAP, BIPAP and O2 and to determine when to initiate CPAP and BIPAP during the sleep study. Explain procedure and prepare patient for titration. Provide patient with knowledge and understanding and customized service to result in a compliant patient. Document all levels of titration justifying all changes. Prepare a detailed report on the CPAP levels mask size and all other pertinent requirements to enable the physician to prescribe. Responsible for disinfecting and sanitizing all CPAP equipment after every use.
- Review history, physical information, medication, procedure request and study protocol. Ensure correct patient being studied by verifying patient's name and date of birth. Explain the procedure and orient the patient to the sleep center. Measure patient's head using the 10/20 System and apply electrodes using the 'Paste' method with impedances below 5K Ohms. Apply electrodes, sensors and monitoring devices according to established protocols. Perform polysomnographic data acquisition making adjustments to ensure artifact-free study. Follow protocols for MSLT, MWT, Parasomnia, Seizure, CPAP, split night and O2 to ensure collection of appropriate data. Perform patient bio-calibrations both before and after the test according to the protocol. Follow lights out and lights on procedures. Document observations every 15 minutes including sleep stages clinical events, body positions and other significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation by physicians. Obtain continuous video monitoring and observe and report unusual behavior patterns. Instruct patient on completing questionnaires and follow up procedures. Follow infection control policies during entire testing process. Perform emergency procedures when needed. Keep track of all inventory and inform director of needed supplies.
- Score sleep/wake stages by applying AASM standards. Score clinical events (such as respiratory and cardiac events, limb movements and arousals) according to protocols. Generate accurate reports and complete charts for physician interpretation.
- Work cooperatively with staff members of this and other departments in the performance of job responsibilities. Attend staff meetings and in-services to remain knowledgeable and informed regarding departmental and organizational goals and activities. Seek out learning experiences/educational opportunities. Accept feedback and respond in a manner which reflects an understanding of that feedback. Demonstrate commitment to the team with regular and predictable attendance. Demonstrate appropriate social and communication skills. Technician shall refrain from actively explicitly or implicitly recruiting fellow technicians or students to work for or train at other Sleep Centers.
- Understand Right to Know guidelines. Understand and observe OSHA standards, universal precautions, and all other applicable federal and state regulations. Apply these principles in the daily performance of the job. Is conscious and aware of physical environment and takes necessary precautions/preventative measures to ensure a safe work atmosphere. Is aware of and observes policies and procedures regarding JFK's emergency response behaviors.
- Score sleep/wake stages by applying AASM standards. Score clinical events (such as respiratory and cardiac events, limb movements and arousals) according to protocols. Generate accurate reports and complete charts for physician interpretation.
- Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
- Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs. College degree preferred or successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration.
- A minimum of 1 year of experience as a Polysomnographic Trainee with documented proficiency in all required competencies.
- Experienced in Sleep equipment/CPAP equipment.
- College degree preferred.
- Polysomnography Technologist License.
- AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.