Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

Position Responsibilities

• Hook-up (CE)
• Review physician order to determine the appropriate study to be performed.
• Complete paperwork upon arrival of patient according to established Policy & Procedure.
• Select appropriate montage on computer per established Policy & Procedure.
• Review patient history & physical to familiarize yourself with patient’s medications, medical history & special needs.
• Utilize Age Specific Needs assessment to meet needs of patient.
• Patient Orientation & Hook-up (CE)
• Greet patient & orient to Sleep Lab.
• Answer any questions.
• Have patient complete consent form, pre-sleep questionnaire, and all other required forms.
• Completes department charges.
• Explain procedure: Hook-up, CPAP, lights out time, lights on time.
• Complete patient hook-up according to established Policies & Procedures.
• Check all impedance & assure that all impedance’s are
• Show Sleep Study video to all patients appropriate & fit patients with mask, if appropriate.
• Patient Biocalibrations (CE)
• Perform biocalibrations on all patients prior to “Lights Out” & post “Lights On”
• Check to assure that all signals are clearly identified.
• Data Acquisition (CE)
• Enter all patient information into computer module.
• Enter Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, Snore, Position, EKG findings, CPAP pressure & leak every 30 minutes in computers
• Technician Notes.
• Summarize patient’s sleep in comment section.
• Recognize & document clinical & physiological events.
• Artifact recognition & correction should be maintained according to established Policy & Procedure.
• ECG monitoring.
• PVC’s, PAC’s, SVT, AV blocks, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd degree AV Blocks, & Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter need to be documented on the event log.
• These arrhythmias warrant notes & close monitoring to assure that they do not progress to more severe arrhythmias.
• Ventricular Fibrillation/Flutter, Ventricular Tachycardia & Asystole require immediate intervention by calling 911.
• Scores each patient record accurately and generate a scored report for physicians to interpret.
• End of Study (CE)
• Assure CPAP patients are at optimal pressure for at least 1 hr prior to awakening.
• Perform post-study biocalibrations according to established Policy & Procedures.
• Awaken patient & unhook all equipment.
• Have patient complete post-sleep questionnaire and evaluation of services.
• Discharge patient to home.
• Clean all equipment according to established Policy & Procedures.
• Ensure that all paperwork is completed & work area is clean.
• Generates report summarizing sleep/wake periods, REM episodes, cardiac events, respiratory events and other physiological events according to current guidelines.
• Split-night Protocol (CE)
• Follow same basic guidelines listed in A-E above and follow split night policy/protocol.
• If patient has met emergency CPAP protocol at any point during split night study initiate CPAP right away.
• When sufficient diagnostic data has been obtained. Initiate CPAP & follow CPAP titration protocol.
• CPAP Titration (CE)
• Follow basic guidelines listed in A-E above.
• Initiate CPAP titration as ordered by MD or as per protocol on Split-study order.
• Follow established Policy & Procedure for CPAP titration.

Physical Demands Of Position

• Must be able to push/pull patient’s and equipment.
• Must take proper precautions to prevent exposure to hazardous infectious waste from blood or body fluids.
• The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist is required to sit and carefully monitor polysomnograms and patients for several continuous hours.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of 4 years of experience working with sleep patients.
• State Licensure and/or professional certification requirements may be required depending on the position.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required, either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider.