Sleep Technician, TJHC

JOB SUMMARY

A sleep technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education.  A sleep technologist is credentialed in sleep technology and is able to provide oversight of other sleep center staff.  Technicians and trainees work under the direct supervision of the credentialed sleep technologist or the medical director. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum Education

Sleep Technologist

Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology or minimum of 2 years in direct patient contact in sleep environment.

OR

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.

AND

Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds either the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential. 

FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS

Physical Requirements

Sitting - Greater than 32%

Walking - 1-15%

Standing - 1-15%

Bending/Squatting - 1-15%

Climbing/Kneeling - 1-15%

Twisting - 1-15% 

OSHA Category

Minimal potential for direct body fluid exposure 

Visual and Hearing Requirements 

Must be able to hear clearly with assistance.

Must be able to see with corrective eyewear.

Color vision ability required.

Low level light visual acuity 

Other Physical/Environmental Demands

Lifting - 0-50lbs, 50lbs or more with assistance

Carrying - 0-50lbs, 50lbs or more with assistance

Pulling - up to 100lbs 

Pushing - up to 100lbs 

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Supports the hospital Mission, Service and Values. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up

• 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).
• Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
• Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order.
• Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing. 
• Provide age appropriate patient education.
• Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.

Sleep Study Procedures

• Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other 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 positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• 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.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures.
• Monitor patient safety and adhere to patient safety protocols.
• Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters; identify artifact, inadequate signals and equipment failures and generate an accurate report.

Service Management and Essential Skills

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Maintain current CPR or BLS certification.
• Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrate customer service skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Demonstrate teamwork skills.
• Follow HIPAA and privacy policies.
• Demonstrate ability to follow direction.
• Respond to sleep patients’ procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.
• Adhere to sleep center policies and procedures.
• Participate in the quality assurance program.
• Inspect and maintain sleep study related equipment and inventory
• Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide appropriate feedback to staff.
• Comply with professional standards of conduct.
• Assist the medical director, clinical director and/or manager in all aspects of sleep center operations