POLYSOMNOGRAPHER

Job Summary

The polysomnographic technician performs independent sleep testing, analysis, education, and clinical oversight of the patient throughout the testing process. Extensive knowledge of sleep equipment and software is utilized to ensure quality outcomes.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the hospital policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care.
• Performs and / or assists with patient care needs as directed.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.
• Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
• Interacts with assigned patients, make pertinent observations of patient's behaviors, reports and records names.
• Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary.
• Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient family/significant others and documents accordingly.
• Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
• Reports information regarding the patient's concerns.
• Plans and initiates patient's activities.
• Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Polysomnographer.
• Demonstrates the ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command, refers patients questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Assists in the department's compliance with the state, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
• Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys. Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits. Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
• Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections.
• Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained in an assigned area.
• Monitors sterile supplies for expiration dates and replaces as needed.
• Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas.
• Replenishes daily/weekly unit stock from appropriate departments.
• Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
• Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
• Uses computer as required for Email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.
• Provides and participates in educational activities.
• Provides and documents patient/family education.
• Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
• Makes recommendations for staff development.
• Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
• Other duties as assigned

Specialty Functions

• Gather and analyze patient information
  • Collect, analyze, and integrate the patient information in order to identify specific patient testing needs.
  • Enter patient information accurately into hospital IT systems.
  • Appropriately identify patient utilizing name and date of birth.
  • Obtain insurance authorizations as directed.
  • Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
• Prepare patient and equipment for testing
  • Calibrate equipment to ensure proper function.
  • Explain procedure to patient.
  • Apply electrodes to patient according to accepted standards.
  • Perform physiological calibrations to validate proper signals.
  • Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting prior to PAP titration testing.
• Perform polysomnographic procedures
  • Adhere to approved sleep industry protocols such as seizure studies, parasomnia studies, PAP and/or oxygen titration studies, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
  • Follow “lights out” procedure to establish and document baseline values (body position, SpO2 value, heart rate, initial PAP pressure, etc.)
  • Perform polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study tracing to ensure signals are artifact free. Document abnormalities and attempts to correct.
  • Document routine clinical observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedures, and other things that could affect scoring.
  • Assist with any necessary interventions to ensure patient safety.
  • Remove testing equipment from patient and have patient complete survey.
• Performs scoring of tests
  • Accurately scores sleep/wake stages utilizing real time "score on the fly" method.
  • "Score on the Fly" to include cardiac events, limb movements, respiratory events, and arousals.
  • Generates an accurate report and pertinent technical notes and comments.
• Adheres to departmental standards
  • Comply with appropriate Excela Health policies and standards with regard to infection control, behavior, and customer service.
  • Performs equipment cleaning as required.
  • Maintains current CPR certification.
  • Demonstrates appropriate social skills.
  • Demonstrates the ability to follow direction.
  • Participates in Sleep focused education opportunities as required.
  • Demonstrates excellent customer service skills

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education
• Related training/experience working as a polysomnographer in a sleep lab.
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in related field.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Licensed to practice as a Polysomnographic Technologist from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.

LEAN

• Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela’s missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

• Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.