Registered Sleep Tech - Memorial Health

A Polysomnographic Technician performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis and associated interventions under the general supervision of a Polysomnographic Technologist (RST) and/or the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee.  A Polysomnographic Technician can provide supervision of a Polysomnographic Trainee. 

Education:

• High school education or equivalent required with an associates / bachelors in applied science, polysomnography, or respiratory therapy preferred
• All staff must participate in an average of 10 hours per year, AMA PRA Category I CME or CEU sleep or related educational activities with a minimum of 30 per three calendar years.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

1. Certification by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) as a registered sleep technologist (RST) or by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as a registered technologist (RPSGT).
2. Maintains licensure of registered nurse, licensed professional nurse, or respiratory care practitioner in the state of Illinois

OR

Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography (Respiratory Therapy, END)

OR successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state license and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a polysomnographic technologist

Current BLS required.

Experience:

1-3 years’ experience preferred but not required.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge in comprehensive polysomnographic testing, analysis and associated interventions preferred.

1. Gather and Analyze Patient Information

• Collect, analyze and integrate 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.
• Complete and verify documentation.
• Explain pre-testing, testing and post-testing procedures to the patient.

1. Testing Preparation Procedures

• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibration to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

1. Polysomnographic Procedures

• Follow procedural protocols such as PAP, oxygen titration etc. to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, Oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.

1. Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professional accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) according to center specific protocols.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event date.

1. Service Management and Professional Issues

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.
• Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Demonstrate effective written and spoken communications skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills
• Respond to study participant’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Comply with the ABSM Standards of Conduct.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.