Polysomnographer

Northern Light Health•Ellsworth, ME

69d•Onsite

About The Position

A sleep technologist works under the general supervision of the Director, Cardio Pulmonary and Medical Imaging Services, to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED and national certification required and/or graduate from am AMA school of Respiratory Therapy and have a obtain national Polysomnographic certification within 1 year of employment. Or currently have a Polysonmnographic Certification.
Current BLS required, ACLS and PAL preferred.
1+ years of relative work experience required.
Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree preferred.
ACLS and PAL preferred.

Responsibilities

Verifies patient identity using two identifiers.
Maintains a clean working environment with clean electrodes and equipment.
Follows standard precautions as dictated by hospital policy.
Attends to the patients needs appropriately.
Recognizes and responds appropriately to life threatening situations.
Understanding and taking appropriate precautions for electrical safety.
Uses interpersonal relation skills to achieve patient relaxation and cooperation.
Explains the test procedure including activation procedures.
Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific meets (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history)
Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols
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 out of center sleep study.
Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing if indicated to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
Follow procedural protocols and ensure collection of appropriate data.
Perform appropriate physiological calibration to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
Follow "Light out" procedure to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, ox hemoglobin 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, clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic interventions such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.)
Following â€œlights onâ€ procedure to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeats the physiological and instrumental calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movement, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific are in the treatment, assessment, and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and date download.
Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for out of center sleep testing.
Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for OCST: identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failure and generate an accurate report.
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control.
Performs routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
Demonstrates computer skills appropriate for position.
Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrates appropriate social skills.
Demonstrates critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Demonstrates ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
Assists the Director in all aspects of Sleep Center Operations.