Polysomnographer

MedStar Health is looking for a Full-time Night Shift Licensed Polysomnographer to join our team at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center!

As a Licensed Polysomnographer, you will perform duties under the general supervision of Director of Sleep and the Medical Director to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services for patient care and education.

Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses". Apply today and learn how MedStar Health can be your next great career move!

Primary Duties:

·       Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedures, pertinent medical/social history), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

·       Reviews existing patient medical information verifies physician orders prior to data collection & implements lab protocols & procedures. Demonstrates knowledge regarding common sleep disorders. Demonstrates knowledge of & ability to perform standard testing procedures. Performs lab computer equipment calibrations correctly & in a timely manner. Demonstrates knowledge of the theory & operation of polygraphs. Demonstrates knowledge regarding the theory & operation of ancillary devices. Utilizes sleep montages in an appropriate manner. Demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot technical problems in an effective & timely manner. Complete and verify documentation.

·       Instructs patients regarding hook-up procedure & testing process for overnight testing. Accurately & securely applies electrodes & sensors to patient, using universal standards, & according to policy & procedures. Accurately & safety applies equipment according to policy & procedures. Appropriately fits patient for appropriateness mask during titration tests. Follow procedural protocols such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), and parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration etc. to ensure collection of appropriate data. Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.

·       Performs data acquisition & collection procedures according to established protocols & procedures. Correctly recognizes & eliminates artifacts during data collection to meet quality standards. Appropriately responds to patient care needs. Performs all testing elements & titrations according to Sleep policy & procedures. Provides comprehensive tech notes, & log sheets during polysomnographic testing procedures. Generates a comprehensive technology report to reflect testing procedures, patient testing outcomes, & environmental influences.

·       Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results. Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.). Follow “lights out” 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.). Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.). Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally 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 data.

Qualifications:

·       High School Diploma or GED.

·       Successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less 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; or successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography.

·       Registered Polysomnography Technologist.

·       Certification by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) as a Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) or equivalent.

·       Licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians.

·       CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) within 90 days.