Polysomnographic Technologist I

Under general supervision of clinical director (M.D. or D.O.) or designee, provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders which may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. Performs general sleep laboratory respiratory care procedures.

• Collects, analyzes and integrates patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs and determine testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols. Reviews history, physical information, medications, procedure request, and study protocol.


• Completes and verifies documentation.


• Explains pre-testing, testing, and post-testing to patient.


• Prepares and calibrates polysomnographic equipment to determine proper functioning. Applies electrodes and sensors according to published standards. Performs appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals. Makes adjustments, if necessary.


• Follows procedural protocols [Multiple Sleep Latency Test, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test , parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.


• Follows lights out procedures to establish and document baseline values (body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).


• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Makes adjustments, if necessary.


• Documents observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.


• Implements 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 complete data collection process (repeats physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).


• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual polysomnographic procedures and therapeutic interventions.


• Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines .


• Scores clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) according to specific protocols.


• Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.


• Performs routine and complex equipment care and maintenance. Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.


• Responds to study participants procedural-related inquiries by providng appropriate information.


• Complies with Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Standards of Conduct.


• Reviews data in patient records, including patient history and physical, blood gas results, pulmonary function results, imaging studies and monitoring data. Collects and evaluates additional clinical data and recommends procedures to obtain additional data.


• Selects, assembles, uses and troubleshoots respiratory care equipment.


• Maintains patients airway, including artificial airways. Removes bronchial secretions. Provides respiratory support and evaluates and monitors patients objective and subjective responses to respiratory care.


• Modifies respiratory therapeutic procedures and recommends modifications in respiratory care plan based on patients response. Initiates, conducts or modifies respiratory care techniques in emergency setting.


• Acts as assistant to physician performing special respiratory procedures. Provides set-up and instruction for home respiratory care durable medical equipment as needed.


• Participates in established Quality Assurance, Improvement and Assessment Programs.


• Participates in the application for sleep laboratory accreditation/re-accreditation process, as requested.


• Orients and trains new-hires Polysomnographic Technologists. Orients and assists with training of Sleep Lab Technicians I and II.

Qualifications:

• Minimum eighteen (18) months of sleep laboratory experience.

• Successful completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree. Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency for all competencies required of a sleep technician.

• Certified Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Disorder Specialist from National Board of Respiratory Care OR Registered Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Disorder Specialist Certificate OR Certification in Clinical Sleep Health OR Polysomnographic Technologist Certificate

• Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii)
  

• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association
  

• Demonstrated advance knowledge of cardiopulmonary physiology related to respiration and sleep, and ability to score studies.
• Proficient with non-invasive positive airway pressure treatment modality.
• Demonstrated ability to score studies.
• Proficient with computerized PSG system, non-invasive positive airway pressure treatment modality.
• Demonstrated proficiency in testing and collecting polysomnographic data of adult patients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in customer service, interpersonal relations, oral communication, results orientation, teamwork, written communication and organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in word processing and spreadsheet PC applications.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in positive airway pressure treatment modality ordering, patient training, and compliance issue resolution.

Salary : $36 - $47