Polysomnographic Technologist PD

Brown Medicine

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Medical Director, Manager, and Clinical Supervisor, and in accordance with established policies and procedures, performs clinical testing to determine whether patients experience obstructive sleep apnea. Sets up and calibrates testing equipment, prepares patients, conducts polysomnographic tests, monitors patient condition, reviews, scores and interprets results, and prepares written summaries. Also sets up and operates videotaping equipment. Brown University Health employees are expected to role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate the core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate. Employees are also responsible for following the Brown University Health Corporate Compliance Program and Code of Conduct. The role performs independently within department policies and practices, referring complex problems to a supervisor when clarification is needed. There is no supervisory responsibility. The work is generally performed in a sleep laboratory setting.

Requirements

Associate degree in Respiratory Care, Biology, or Health Sciences; successful completion of a polysomnographic certification program; or equivalent.
Registration is required within 90 days of employment.
Thorough understanding and competent application of PC-driven digital polysomnography protocols, including RIP and flow volume loops.
Expertise in pulmonary flow volume loops and their application to obstructive sleep apnea treatment.
Personal computer skills.
Basic knowledge of electronics and electrical safety.
Knowledge of polysomnographic testing procedures, equipment maintenance, and instructing others in proper testing.
Knowledge of sleep staging and ability to interpret results and prepare written summaries for physician evaluation.
Interpersonal skills to explain procedures, give instructions, and help patients remain calm.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to operate, calibrate, set up, and perform minor repairs and adjustments to equipment.
Ability to monitor patients and recognize and assess signs of respiratory distress or arrest.
Ability to initiate and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Ability to assist in moving or positioning patients.
Knowledge and skills to provide care that considers aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
Ability to stand for periods necessary to perform job duties, sit for extended periods at a computer, remain focused and alert during shift hours, and lift or manipulate up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Six months of previous experience as a polysomnographic technician, respiratory care technician, or in similar Allied Health patient-care work.
Registration is preferred. A Certified Polysomnographic Technologist may be hired with continued employment contingent on earning RPsgT registration within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

Receive and review requests for polysomnographic testing; prepare the laboratory and supplies for scheduled patients.
Set up and calibrate polysomnography and treatment equipment, including digital polygraphs, oximeters, capnographs, Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP), CPAP/Bi-Level equipment, and videotaping equipment.
Explain procedures to patients and accompanying family members, promote cooperation, and maintain a calm environment that supports natural sleep.
Apply and check electrodes and other monitoring devices; position video equipment to record breathing patterns accurately.
Operate digital polysomnography equipment to record sleep stages and analyze obstructive sleep apnea, initiating protocol-driven CPAP or Bi-Level treatment when indicated.
Review recordings and make adjustments to produce tracings of relevant physiological variables, including brain and eye activity, muscle activity, heart rate, airflow, respiratory effort, end-tidal PCO2, and oxygen saturation.
Monitor patients, recognize apnea, distress, or respiratory arrest, alert a physician or code team as necessary, and initiate CPR when indicated.
Review, score, and interpret final tracings; identify sleep stages, apneas and hypopneas, arousals, hypoxemia, and arrhythmias; prepare written reports for physician evaluation.
Maintain supplies and equipment, perform routine cleaning and maintenance and minor repairs, and arrange major repairs as needed.
Participate in evaluating and recommending purchases of supplies and equipment.
Assist with sleep-related clinical research, including testing, interpretation, and computer-assisted analysis.
Maintain quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards according to department policies and procedures.
Perform other related duties as required.