SLEEP LAB TECH II

About the role

A RT Sleep Technician works under the general supervision of the medical director (MD, DO, PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. The RT Technician must work with a registered/board certified polysomnographic technologist and can offer some guidance/supervision of sleep technicians (sleep tech I).

Responsibilities

• Collects, analyzes and integrates patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
• Reviews patients' history, verify the medical order and follow sleep facility protocols related to the sleep study.
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
• Explains the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing.
• Selects appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Performs routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
• Performs appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Prepares and instructs patient in both in laboratory studies and home sleep apnea testing.
• Follows procedural protocols (Polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test(MWT), parasomnia studies, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) and Oxygen Titration, etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
• Documents routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
• Implements appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follows “lights on” procedure to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
• Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Scores clinical events (respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards and center specific protocols.
• Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Demonstrates adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
• Demonstrates adherence to AASM Scoring Manual for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report.
• Complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Performs routine equipment care, maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Responds to study participant’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Adheres to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.
• Reviews and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Complies with professional standards of conduct.
• Assists the facility director and/or manager in all aspects of sleep facility operations.
• Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• The polysomnographic technologist shall be responsible for supervision of unlicensed polysomnographic personnel who work under his direction and shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for patient care and outcomes under his clinical supervision.

Requirements

• Education: Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or an Associate's degree with an emphasis in sleep technology OR Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a sleep technician.
• Certification: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and would consider Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential.
• Experience: Work in AASM accredited sleep center for one year preferred or current RT certification with plans to work towards credentialing in sleep technology. RT certification with plans to work towards credentialing in sleep technology.
• Licensure, certification, and/or registration: Virginia State License for Polysomnographic Technologist & RPSGT by the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (would consider RST by American Board of Sleep Medicine or SDS by The National Board for Respiratory Care) required OR RT certification by the Virginia Board of Medicine.
• Enrolled in accredited Sleep Technology educational program (ex. ASTEP) within 30 days of hire. Completion of sleep technology educational program must be done within 6-8 months of hire.
• Virginia Board of Medicine license must be obtained for RPSGT certification within 18 months of hire.