Polysomnographic Tech

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components: patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Responsibilities

• Perform overnight testing procedures (also applies to PSGs performed during the day for night shift workers).
• Review existing information in patient record.
• Examine orders and protocols for study.
• Explain test procedures to patients.
• Recognize chief sleep/wake complaint.
• Communicate with ordering physician or Sleep Lab medical staff to clarify unclear or inappropriate orders and communicate information about the patient's status.
• Calibrate and adjust equipment to ensure it is in proper working condition.
• Measure and apply appropriate EEG electrodes using the International 10-20 system.
• Apply appropriate EKG (heart), EMG (leg and chin muscles) and EOG (eye movement) monitoring electrodes.
• Apply and securely attach recording transducers, thermocouples, to measure airflow, respiratory effort, apply oximetry probes and CO2 monitors (End Tidal and Transcutaneous).
• Perform physiological calibrations to verify proper functioning of equipment.
• Monitor the PSG and note and correct equipment malfunctions.
• Monitor and change patient's body position as needed to obtain the required sleep/wake data.
• End the PSG and wake the patient and carefully remove recording equipment.
• Score the polysomnogram and generate a report summarizing sleep/wake data and physiological events.
• Independently perform specialty studies.

Patient Equipment and Safety

• Recognize and respond appropriately to patients' medical problems and physiological events, especially cardiac dysrhythmias, respiratory events, and seizures.
• Safely lift and move patient without harm to patient or self.
• Ensure safety and welfare of all patients.
• Comply with Universal Infection Control procedures.
• Properly disinfect and sterilize appropriate equipment, electrodes, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) masks.
• Appropriately handle hazardous materials such as acetone or collodion.
• Precisely apply electrodes and perform biocalibrations.
• Work with a variety of patients including adult and pediatric populations.
• Set up top-tier equipment and troubleshoot common issues.

Related Duties

• Administer oxygen, continuous and BI-level positive airway pressure in accordance with established protocols.
• Understand indications, contraindications, and adverse effects of CPAP, BI-level PAP and oxygen administration.
• Independently perform special procedures including esophageal pressure monitoring, infant/pediatric polysomnography, ambulatory monitoring, and portable (in patient) polysomnography.
• Perform and score PSGs for evaluation of parasomnias and seizures, and prepare report including other clinical events related to parasomnias and seizures.
• Conduct MSLTs and score MSLTs according to established guidelines.
• Prepare report of MSLT, including number and time of naps, latency from sleep to onset of REM for each nap, and mean sleep latency.
• Evaluate infant/pediatric patients, and properly perform PSGs for evaluation of sleep apnea, parasomnias and seizures.
• Perform sleep research protocols.
• Perform other duties and lab functions as assigned by supervision.

Requirements

Polysomnographic Technologist Registered

• High School graduation with basic coursework or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Registration as a Polysomnographic Technologist by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is necessary. Must maintain registry under BRPT by completing necessary CEUs, as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.
• BLS Certification.
• This classification requires Primary Source Verification.

Graduate (Non-Certified) Polysomnographic Technician

• High school diploma.
• BLS Certification.
• Completion of 4 modules of an A-STEP, Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program.
• OR Enrollment or completion of a CAAHEP or CoARC-accredited polysomnography education program.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree preferred or satisfactory completion of course work in the physiological and biological sciences is desirable.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day.
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings.

Schedule

• Work scheduled will be assigned by the Sleep Lab Supervisor.
• Work schedule will include night shifts during the 24-hour, 7 day/week operations of the Sleep Laboratories.
• Participation in on-call schedule.
• Travel between Brighton and Ann Arbor locations as required.