Polysomnographer- PRN

Safety Sensitive

Job Summary: Polysomnography Technologist must demonstrate competence in all technical aspects of polysomnography and must have met the requirements of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists necessary for patient care and safety. Able to effectively communicate both verbally and written with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Commitment to providing excellent patient care.

Job Duties:

• Possess the knowledge, ability and understanding to implement all Departmental protocols to meet the needs of the patient population.
• Knowledge of common sleep disorders and treatment options
• Knowledge of sleep lab equipment, its function and purpose including calibration.
• Rev iew patient’s medical history, allergies, current medications, patient questionnaire.
• Explain procedures to patients before, during and after sleep study.
• Perform patient set-ups, attach electrodes, and monitor patients according to the industry standard of approx. 30 minutes.
• Monitors patients via video for any unusual sleep behaviors.
• Records observations of patients throughout the sleep study at specific time intervals and as appropriate.
• Ensure signals are received on the computer, all monitors are recorded throughout the sleep study.
• Ability to gather artifact-free polysomnography data: trouble shoots any artifact and provides correction.
• Ability to recognize normal and abnormal sleep patterns.
• Ability to interpret physiological tracings and to quickly decide to intervene regarding an emergency or potential emergency.
• Knowledgeable of protocols for CPAP therapy.
• Knowledge of oxygen therapy.
• Scores various aspects of the sleep study according to established guidelines and sends to physician for interpretation.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Complete assignments within the scheduled shift.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the differences in techniques and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages.
• Maintains and operates all sleep lab equipment safely and correctly, inspects and tests sleep lab equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently, Reports problems.
• Maintains a good working relationship with sleep lab staff and other departments.
• Communicates clearly and concisely with the sleep center director, Medical Director and referring physicians.
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrated the ability to be flexible, organized and function in stressful situations.
• Stays current in field through continuing education, seminars, professional journals, and societies.
• Patient registration process.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Ensured patient forms and billing information is completed in an expedient manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervision.
  • Day Shift:

1. Mails sleep packets to scheduled patients.
2. Call scheduled patients to confirm appointments.
3. Review schedule, and orders for medical necessity.
4. Obtains prior authorization if required by the provider and determines if an ABN is needed.
5. Purge videos on sleep lab studies 6 months old or older to keep free space on server.
6. Completes monthly ISR testing.

• Night Shift:

1. Greets patients and registers them into the EMR.
2. Presents an ABN to be signed if need.
3. Completes monthly ISR testing.

Qualifications:

1. Education: 

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate of an AASM approved School of Polysomnography
• Current Certification as a Board Registered Polysomnography
• Current BLS certification
• Complete monthly Inter-Scorer Reliability web base test

1. Training and Experience:

• Sleep lab experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

1. Job Knowledge: 

• Basic computer knowledge of computer software programs used by the sleep lab.
• Knowledge of all sleep lab equipment.
• Knowledge of the Meditech modules that is pertinent to sleep center.

Essentials:

1. Must be able to report to work fit for duty and free of any adverse effects of illegal drugs, medical marijuana, prescription medication, and/or alcohol. 
2. Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with other individuals. 

Physical Demands: Job responsibilities require a considerable amount of physical work which includes but not limited to standing to attach electrodes to patients, cleaning, laundry, striping and making beds. A significant amount of writing and computer entry is required.