Polysomnography Extern

Job Overview

Develop skills in collecting, analyzing, and integrating patient information to identify and meet patient‑specific needs, including physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, and pertinent medical/social history.

Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study, learning to review pertinent information from the patient’s history and verify medical orders.

Under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, score sleep/wake stages, generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, and arousals.

Learn and perform appropriate interventions, including patient safety measures and therapeutic interventions such as continuous (CPAP) and bi‑level (BIPAP) positive airway pressure and oxygen administration.

Assist with procedures and therapeutic interventions such as auto‑servo ventilation (SV) titrations, average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT), and home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Monitor polysomnographic data acquisition while ensuring study‑tracing quality and eliminating artifacts observed during the test.

Follow wake procedures to verify data integrity and complete the data collection process, e.g., repeat physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires.

Set up video and audio monitoring apparatus, keep equipment in clean operating condition, detect malfunctions, make minor adjustments, and report major repairs. Maintain equipment supply levels and ensure appropriate equipment is at hand.

Participate in all quality assurance and improvement measures and processes.

Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age‑appropriate care, including principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status to identify age‑specific needs, as described in departmental policies and procedures.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) must be obtained within 30 days.
• Completion of Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A‑STEP) within 3 months.

High School Graduate.

Typically requires 6 months of direct patient care experience.

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to take direction, consistently implement it, and effectively seek clarification from supervisors and colleagues.
• Ability to make independent clinical decisions as applicable and under the guidance of a Polysomnography Technologist.

May drive between sites, thereby exposing the employee to road hazards.

Operates all equipment essential to performing the job.

• Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, and kneel throughout the workday.
• Must lift up to 50 lbs. from the floor to waist; up to 20 lbs. over the head; and carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Exposed to mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards; protective clothing must be worn as necessary.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.