Senior Polysomnogrophy tech

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Polysomnographic Technologist position is an experienced and fully competent Polysomnographic Technologist who works under the general supervision of a clinical/medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced duties including scoring sleep studies and preparing preliminary reports for physician interpretation; completes the process for the final report once signed off by the physician.
• Conducts sleep studies, including advanced and complex procedures, performing polysomnography, diagnostic, and therapeutic services.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, develops and teaches in-services/programs, and serves as a mentor and resource to Polysomnographic Technologists and students.
• Works independently, exercising sound judgment and executing above-average clinical skills on challenging procedures and patient care situations.
• Performs all procedures related to sleep studies, including diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (e.g., Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), Parasomnia studies, Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP), and oxygen titration).
• Ensures collection of appropriate data in accordance with established protocols and policies.
• Performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions, analyzing complex situations and taking appropriate actions.
• Educates patients on sleep study procedures, responds to questions, and ensures all paperwork and consent forms are completed.
• Coordinates activities within the polysomnography department and serves as a resource for department-related needs, such as specialty equipment or software implementation.
• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free.
• Establishes and documents baseline values, observations, sleep stages, clinical events, position changes, and other significant events.
• Verifies integrity of collected data and completes the data collection process (e.g., repeats physiological and instrument calibrations, instructs patients on completing questionnaires).
• Troubleshoots, calibrates, and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment per department guidelines, documenting activities.
• Evaluates sleep study-related equipment, reporting and documenting malfunctions; consults with leadership regarding technical issues.
• Scores sleep studies, including Home Sleep Studies, according to guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and department policies.
• Prepares preliminary detailed polysomnographic reports for physician interpretation and completes the final report process after physician sign-off.
• Accurately documents all patient care and polysomnography-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system; enters charges at the time service is delivered.
• Evaluates and reports on inventory levels; uses resources efficiently.
• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency, and improvement for department projects and shared governance activities.
• Participates in department committees or subcommittees and facilitates the accomplishment of goals.
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities.

Requirements

• Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required certification(s).
• Three years of experience as a Polysomnographic Technologist in a Sleep Disorders laboratory/center.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Instructor certification (AHA).
• One of the following certifications:
  • RPSGT – Registered Polysomnographer Technologist (BRPT)
  • RRT-SDS – Registered Respiratory Therapist Sleep Disorder Specialty (NBRC)

Skills

• Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing assessments and evaluations.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential job functions, especially activities impacting patient or employee safety.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers in a customer service-focused manner.
• Competent computer knowledge; operates multiple systems, including Hospital/Sleep Study Information Systems and Office software.
• Works independently, handling challenging procedures and patient care situations with sound judgment and above-average clinical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team, ensuring excellent customer service.
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision, organizing workflow and actively participating in problem-solving.
• Excellent time management skills.

Work Attire

• Scrubs: Yes
• Other (department approved): Yes

Travel

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area.