REGISTERED, POLYSOMNOGRAPHER

$2,000 sign-on bonus.

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with 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, makes 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 to appropriate supervisor.
• Effectively functions as a resource person.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Assists in the department's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
• Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys; 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.
• Gathers and analyzes patient information.
• Collects, analyzes, and integrates patient information to identify specific patient testing needs.
• Enters patient information accurately into hospital IT systems.
• Appropriately identifies patient utilizing name and date of birth.
• Obtains insurance authorizations as directed.
• Explains pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
• Prepares patient and equipment for testing.
• Calibrates equipment to ensure proper function.
• Explains procedure to patient.
• Applies electrodes to patient according to accepted standards.
• Performs physiological calibrations to validate proper signals.
• Performs positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting prior to PAP titration testing.
• Performs polysomnographic procedures.
• Adheres 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.
• Follows "lights out" procedure to establish and document baseline values (body position, SpO2 value, heart rate, initial PAP pressure, etc.).
• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study tracing to ensure signals are artifact-free; documents abnormalities and attempts to correct.
• Documents routine clinical observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedures, and other things that could affect scoring.
• Assists with any necessary interventions to ensure patient safety.
• Removes testing equipment from patient and has 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.
• Complies with appropriate Independence Health policies and standards regarding 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Schedule

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

Work Environment

• Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield, and mask are required according to CDC guidelines.
• When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Physical Conditions

Physical Condition Essential Marginal Constantly Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never Extreme Heat X Extreme Cold X Heights X Confined Spaces X Extreme Noise (>85dB) X Mechanical Hazards X Use of Vibrating Tools X Operates Vehicle X Operates Heavy Equipment X Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices X Rotates All Shifts X 8 Hours Shifts X