Sleep; Polysomnographic) Technologist

Description

The Sleep Technologist is a multi-skilled individual working under the general supervision of the Sleep Center Director to provide comprehensive evaluation of sleep disorders including in center and home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. The Sleep Technologist is credentialed in sleep technology and is able to provide oversight of other Sleep Center staff.

• Identify self verbally and by wearing name badge at all times while on duty.
• Greet patients with courtesy and respect. Answer questions and direct requests appropriately and efficiently.
• Inspect and maintain sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Respond to sleep patient procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate education utilizing Sleep Center specific protocols.
• Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide appropriate feedback to staff.
• Adhere to Sleep Center policies and procedures.
• Participate in the Sleep Center quality assurance program.
• Perform duties documented below as well as any other duties as assigned.

• Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).
• Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician*.
• Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order.
• Follow Sleep Center protocols related to the sleep study.
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents, and obtain consent for the study.
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing (HSAT).
• Provide age-appropriate patient education.
• Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and adjust if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.

• Follow procedural protocols [such as Polysomnogram (PSG), Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.].
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct, and document artifact.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures 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.).
• Score sleep/wake stages by utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards.
• Score clinical events such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc., utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event…