Polysomnographic Technologist - Relief

Department Overview

The relief night shift Polysomnographic (PSG) Technologist performs and scores polysomnographic recordings working as relief with varying 12.5-hour night shifts Monday – Sunday from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM, and occasionally will be asked to work day shifts Monday – Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There are two locations, the OHSU Sleep Disorders Laboratory at the Residence Inn, and the Sleep Lab Tanasbourne. The PSG Technologist works with both pediatric and adult populations, ensuring all aspects related to high quality data acquisition, review and scoring are accomplished. Typical staffing is 2:1 (two patients to one technologist).

 

The PSG Technologist performs routine and specialized procedures related to Sleep Disorders including, but not limited to: a) Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG), b) Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), c) Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), d) Home Apnea Testing, e) PAP-NAPs and f) Ambulatory studies. PSG Technologists possess exceptional technical skills regarding all diagnostic, therapeutic and ancillary equipment; are able to make independent clinical decisions, recognize sleep pathologies and respond with appropriate interventions (i.e. CPAP, Bilevel, and Oxygen); and can clearly communicate with the patient and educate them about their testing and care.

 

Technologists maintain a high standard of documentation for all interactions and observations during the sleep study. Clear and thorough documentation within the PSG acquisition software, study templates and in Epic according to departmental and OHSU standards is expected. Techs are responsible for monitoring the quality of collected raw data as an integral part of departmental quality improvement standards.

PSG Technologists are responsible to completely score a minimum of one of their acquired sleep studies during their shift and make it available for physician review prior to the end of their scheduled shift.

Technologists must be able to meet departmental standards for inter-reliability scoring and ensure PSG recordings are scored within a timely manner in accordance with performance standards. PSG Technologists are responsible for maintaining the patient tracking spreadsheet, monitoring data archival and overall data management, and are able to troubleshoot basic computer problems and any problems related to the equipment used for study acquisition as they arise.

 

The Polysomnographic Technologist is expected to provide supportive training, oversight and accountability for new technicians, interns and trainees. Able to perform other duties deemed appropriate by Program Administration, Neurology Sleep Program/Clinic Managers and Medical Directors.

Function/Duties of Position

Monitoring/Instrumentation: Polysomnographic Technologists are able to perform PSG, MSLT and MWT recordings on patients ensuring high recording quality with appropriate instrument adjustments and verifications according to laboratory standards. Highly proficient in testing equipment, data acquisition parameters and therapeutic modalities from information obtained from the electronic medical record and laboratory testing orders. Ability to evaluate the clinical presentation associated with sleep and arousal disorders in determining the appropriate protocol to meet patient’s special requirements and determine final testing parameters/procedures. Can perform all calibrations, equipment checks, montage adjustments, and ensure proper function of PSG equipment prior to testing. Documents all encounters accurately within EPIC and other systems according to departmental and OHSU standards.

Electrode Application: High level of proficiency related to electrode placement and application via laboratory standards; measures and accurately applies electrodes in a timely manner, according to the International 10-20 System or laboratory policy. Applies all sensors and monitoring equipment as outlined by AASM guidelines and laboratory policies and procedures. Performs impedance tests and corrects issues with electrode applications prior to starting each study. Able to prepare and start patient studies by a reasonable time according to departmental policies.

Clinical: Strong technical/clinical skills related to creating and modify PSG recording montages to optimize recognized indications, contraindications and potential side effects of treatment modalities. Can perform various types of adult and pediatric procedures for advanced monitoring including but not limited to: parasomnias, seizures, EtCO2, tcpCO2, CPAP, Bilevel, ASV and VAPs. Must possess the ability to monitor and change patients’ position or environment as needed to obtain required sleep/wake data. Strong clinical skills related to pharmacology and understanding the effects medications can present on the polysomnogram. Highly proficient in performing procedures within scope of practice and ordered by physician or nurse practitioner.

Artifact Recognition: Strong technical troubleshooting skills in determining erroneous versus true data collected; assess artifact from physiological signals; differentiate normal variants and artifact from epileptiform or seizure activity; assess oximetry recording for normal and abnormal oxyhemoglobin saturation and differentiate from artifact. Documents, eliminates and/or takes proper measures to monitor various patient and or environmental artifact; devise, document, and execute plan to troubleshoot.

Polysomnographic Record Scoring: Responsible to score at least one (1) of the acquired sleep studies during their shift. Accurately scores pediatric and adult studies during and after data collection, determining sleep/wake stages, as well as scoring clinical events (respiratory, cardiac, limb movements, arousals etc.) within laboratory inter- reliability standards of at least 80%. Accurately scores PSG records in a timely manner per laboratory policies and procedures and meets performance standards. Strong clinical skills with the ability to distinguish sleep disordered breathing as well as clinical recognition of age-specific EEG, EEG arousals and alpha- intrusion to customize the sleep scoring rules to each clinical scenario. Compiles scored data into a report for physician interpretation per laboratory standards. Polysomnographic Data Management includes managing data for all sleep studies, ensures proper transfer of PSG data to server and archive, and maintains patient tracking spreadsheet with the responsibility of no data loss. Responsible to assign priority scoring for PSG records per Laboratory standards. Provides supportive training and oversight for PSG Technician 1 and technician trainees. Able to perform other duties deemed appropriate by Program Administration, Sleep Clinic/Laboratory Mangers and Medical Directors.

Emergent Situations: Ability to differentiate between lethal and non-lethal ECG dysrhythmias. Clinical skills in assessing emergent situations and initiating emergency protocols based on clinical scenario.

Equipment Maintenance: Properly disinfect and sterilize appropriate sensors, probes, transducers and other equipment as outlined in laboratory policies and procedures. Ensure proper inventory of equipment needed to perform PSG. Contacts proper technical support personnel regarding non-functioning equipment as well as assists in arranging for repair or replacement of non-functional equipment.

Supply Maintenance: Responsible for maintaining sleep laboratory supplies by maintaining inventory of stock items and notifying staff of needed repair or replacement. Is responsible for maintaining adequate PSG supplies to perform high quality data collection.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly with proper grammar and spelling.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency.
• Ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly
• Proficient knowledge of sleep disorders and sleep acquisition systems.
• Able to work independently and unsupervised.
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology with an emphasis on sleep medicine.
• Current Licensed Polysomnographic Technologist (LPSGT) credential issued by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, or eligible to acquire LPSGT through the Health Licensing Agency prior to first day of employment.
• Current certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• CPR Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers through American Heart Association (AHA)

• Compliance with Code of Conduct, Respect in the workplace and Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in Polysomnography, Respiratory Therapy and/or EEG.
• 2 years of experience in a sleep disorders laboratory.
• Epic Scheduling
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with Sleep Disorders Specialty certificate.

Additional Details

• This is a night shift schedule, with shift lengths of 12.5-hours from 7:00 pm to 7:30 am, with occasional requests to cover other shifts depending on staffing needs. The Sleep Disorders Program provides age appropriate care to the indicated age groups: Toddlers (1-4yrs), Preschoolers (4-6yrs), School Age (6-12yrs), Adult (18-65yrs) and Geriatric (65 yrs).

• The Sleep Disorders Program is a multi-disciplinary program staffed by faculty physicians, residents and fellows that provides clinical and laboratory services for pediatric and adult populations. Sleep Laboratory has two locations off campus. Shifts will be distributed by these two locations. The sleep laboratory operates 7 nights per week, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM and polysomnographic testing is conducted at two locations: Residence Inn (Downtown Portland, 6 rooms), and Sleep Lab Tanasbourne (Tanasbourne, 5 rooms).

• In the performance of this job, the employee may be exposed to chemical vapors (i.e. alcohol preps, sani- master, bleach, etc) There may also be skin contact with these substances. The employee may also be exposed to infectious agents including blood-borne pathogens.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands and fingers to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and stoop, kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. The employee may need to assist patients of all demographics in and out of bed and assist ambulating to the restroom throughout the sleep study

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.