Polysomnographic Technologist

OHSU’s 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 at two off-campus locations: the Residence Inn (Downtown Portland, 6 rooms) and Sleep Lab Tanasbourne (Tanasbourne, 5 rooms). The laboratory operates 7 nights per week from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM.

About the role

The night-shift Polysomnographic (PSG) Technologist performs and scores polysomnographic recordings, working 3 nights per week (Monday–Sunday) from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM at both laboratory locations. The role involves working with both pediatric and adult populations, ensuring high-quality data acquisition, review, and scoring. Typical staffing is two patients to one technologist.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and specialized sleep-disorder procedures, including:
  • Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG)
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
  • Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
  • Home Apnea Testing
  • PAP-NAPs
  • Ambulatory studies
• Operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot diagnostic, therapeutic, and ancillary equipment.
• Make independent clinical decisions, recognize sleep pathologies, and respond with appropriate interventions (e.g., CPAP, Bilevel, Oxygen).
• Educate patients about testing and care, and maintain thorough documentation in PSG acquisition software, study templates, and Epic.
• Monitor and ensure the quality of collected raw data as part of departmental quality improvement standards.
• Score a minimum of one acquired sleep study per shift and make it available for physician review before the end of the shift.
• Meet departmental inter-reliability scoring standards (minimum 80%) and ensure timely scoring of PSG recordings.
• Maintain the patient tracking spreadsheet, monitor data archival, and manage overall data integrity with no data loss.
• Troubleshoot basic computer and equipment issues related to study acquisition.
• Provide supportive training, oversight, and accountability for new technicians, interns, and trainees.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Program Administration, Sleep Clinic/Laboratory Managers, and Medical Directors.

Monitoring and Instrumentation

• Perform PSG, MSLT, and MWT recordings, ensuring high recording quality with appropriate instrument adjustments and verifications.
• Evaluate clinical presentations to determine appropriate protocols and testing parameters for patients with special requirements.
• Conduct all calibrations, equipment checks, montage adjustments, and ensure proper function of PSG equipment prior to testing.
• Document all encounters accurately in Epic and other systems according to departmental and OHSU standards.

Clinical Skills

• Create and modify PSG recording montages to optimize recognized indications, contraindications, and potential side effects of treatment modalities.
• Perform advanced monitoring procedures for adults and pediatrics, including parasomnias, seizures, EtCO2, tcpCO2, CPAP, Bilevel, ASV, and VAPs.
• Monitor and adjust patients’ positions or environment to obtain required sleep/wake data.
• Understand the effects of pharmacology on polysomnograms and perform procedures within scope of practice as ordered by physicians or nurse practitioners.

Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Score at least one acquired sleep study per shift, accurately determining sleep/wake stages and clinical events (respiratory, cardiac, limb movements, arousals, etc.).
• Meet inter-reliability scoring standards of at least 80% and ensure timely scoring per laboratory policies.
• Distinguish sleep-disordered breathing and recognize age-specific EEG, EEG arousals, and alpha-intrusion to customize scoring rules.
• Compile scored data into reports for physician interpretation per laboratory standards.

Data Management and Artifact Recognition

• Manage data for all sleep studies, ensuring proper transfer to servers and archives, and maintain the patient tracking spreadsheet.
• Assign priority scoring for PSG records per laboratory standards.
• Troubleshoot erroneous data, assess physiological and environmental artifacts, and differentiate normal variants from abnormal activity (e.g., epileptiform or seizure activity).
• Document, eliminate, or monitor artifacts and devise troubleshooting plans as needed.

Requirements

• Current Licensed Polysomnographic Technologist (LPSGT) credential issued by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, or eligibility to acquire it prior to the 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).
• BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first.

Skills

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and communicate clearly with proper grammar and spelling.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency and ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly.
• Proficient knowledge of sleep disorders and sleep acquisition systems.
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised.
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology, with an emphasis on sleep medicine.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Schedule

Night shift, 12.5-hour shifts from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM, 3 nights per week (Monday–Sunday). Occasional requests to cover other shifts depending on staffing needs.

Work Environment

• Exposure to chemical vapors (e.g., alcohol preps, sanitizers, bleach) and potential skin contact with these substances.
• Exposure to infectious agents, including blood-borne pathogens.
• Provides age-appropriate care to toddlers (1–4 years), preschoolers (4–6 years), school-age children (6–12 years), adults (18–65 years), and geriatric patients (65+ years).