Polysomnographic Technologist

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The night shift Polysomnographic (PSG) Technologist performs and scores polysomnographic recordings working 3 nights per week Monday – Sunday from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM at two locations, the OHSU Sleep Disorders Laboratory at the Residence Inn, and the Sleep Lab Tanasbourne. The PSG Technologist works with both pediatric and adult populations, ensuring all aspects related to high quality data acquisition, review and scoring are accomplished. Typical staffing is 2:1 (two patients to one technologist). The PSG Technologist performs routine and specialized procedures related to Sleep Disorders including, but not limited to: a) Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG), b) Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), c) Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), d) Home Apnea Testing, e) PAP-NAPs and f) Ambulatory studies. PSG Technologists possess exceptional technical skills regarding all diagnostic, therapeutic and ancillary equipment; are able to make independent clinical decisions, recognize sleep pathologies and respond with appropriate interventions (i.e. CPAP, Bilevel, and Oxygen); and can clearly communicate with the patient and educate them about their testing and care. Technologists maintain a high standard of documentation for all interactions and observations during the sleep study. Clear and thorough documentation within the PSG acquisition software, study templates and in Epic according to departmental and OHSU standards is expected. Techs are responsible for monitoring the quality of collected raw data as an integral part of departmental quality improvement standards. PSG Technologists are responsible to completely score a minimum of one of their acquired sleep studies during their shift and make it available for physician review prior to the end of their scheduled shift. Technologists must be able to meet departmental standards for inter-reliability scoring and ensure PSG recordings are scored within a timely manner in accordance with performance standards. PSG Technologists are responsible for maintaining the patient tracking spreadsheet, monitoring data archival and overall data management, and are able to troubleshoot basic computer problems and any problems related to the equipment used for study acquisition as they arise. The Polysomnographic Technologist is expected to provide supportive training, oversight and accountability for new technicians, interns and trainees. Able to perform other duties deemed appropriate by Program Administration, Neurology Sleep Program/Clinic Managers and Medical Directors.

Requirements

Current Licensed Polysomnographic Technologist (LPSGT) credential issued by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, or eligible to acquire LPSGT through the Health Licensing Agency prior to first day of employment.
Current certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Ability to communicate clearly with proper grammar and spelling.
Demonstrated computer proficiency.
Ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly.
Proficient knowledge of sleep disorders and sleep acquisition systems.
Able to work independently and unsupervised.
Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
Strong knowledge of medical terminology with an emphasis on sleep medicine.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree in Polysomnography, Respiratory Therapy and/or EEG.
2 years of experience in a sleep disorders laboratory.
Epic Scheduling
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with Sleep Disorders Specialty certificate.

Responsibilities

Perform PSG, MSLT and MWT recordings on patients ensuring high recording quality with appropriate instrument adjustments and verifications according to laboratory standards.
Evaluate the clinical presentation associated with sleep and arousal disorders in determining the appropriate protocol to meet patient’s special requirements and determine final testing parameters/procedures.
Perform all calibrations, equipment checks, montage adjustments, and ensure proper function of PSG equipment prior to testing.
Document all encounters accurately within EPIC and other systems according to departmental and OHSU standards.
Create and modify PSG recording montages to optimize recognized indications, contraindications and potential side effects of treatment modalities.
Perform various types of adult and pediatric procedures for advanced monitoring including but not limited to: parasomnias, seizures, EtCO2, tcpCO2, CPAP, Bilevel, ASV and VAPs.
Monitor and change patients’ position or environment as needed to obtain required sleep/wake data.
Score at least one (1) of the acquired sleep studies during their shift.
Accurately score pediatric and adult studies during and after data collection, determining sleep/wake stages, as well as scoring clinical events (respiratory, cardiac, limb movements, arousals etc.) within laboratory inter- reliability standards of at least 80%.
Accurately score PSG records in a timely manner per laboratory policies and procedures and meet performance standards.
Compile scored data into a report for physician interpretation per laboratory standards.
Manage data for all sleep studies, ensures proper transfer of PSG data to server and archive, and maintains patient tracking spreadsheet with the responsibility of no data loss.
Assign priority scoring for PSG records per Laboratory standards.
Provide supportive training and oversight for PSG Technician 1 and technician trainees.
Troubleshoot erroneous versus true data collected; assess artifact from physiological signals; differentiate normal variants and artifact from epileptiform or seizure activity; assess oximetry recording for normal and abnormal oxyhemoglobin saturation and differentiate from artifact.
Document, eliminate and/or take proper measures to monitor various patient and or environmental artifact; devise, document, and execute plan to troubleshoot.