Polysomnography Technologist Intern - Sleep Center - Nights

WellSpan Health•Chambersburg, PA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of EEG/Sleep Center, acquires the skills necessary to perform polysomnography testing in the Sleep Disorder Center in accordance with American Association of Sleep Medicine guidelines and established departmental policy.

Requirements

High School graduate with post secondary human science course studies.
Basic patient care and assessment skills are necessary.
Recent medical experience with high emphasis on patient assessment and intervention skills.
Basic computer skills necessary.
Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required.
Minimum of two years experience working with patients in a hospital setting, preferably in a patient care area.
Before acceptance into the program, the candidate will shadow at least two night shifts in the sleep center.
BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

Consistently takes ownership of customer problems and follows through to close the loop with the customer.
Supports philosophy, goals and objectives of the Neurophysiology Department and hospital.
Knows and follows organizational structure.
Provides basic patient care to meet the personal needs of patients throughout the shift.
Demonstrates knowledge and takes appropriate action in emergency situations; provides for patient safety at all times.
Learns to assist patients needing acclimation trials with PAP therapy. Is supportive and reassuring.
Listens actively to complaints without being defensive and follows through to make things right.
Assists co-workers with completion of skills.
Acquires clinical knowledge and skills to remain current to meet unique needs of patients related to functional capacity, physical limitations, psychosocial needs and age/population related illnesses.
Learns to observe, record and report to the physician any changes in patient condition and/or behavior prior to and/or after procedure.
Learns to compile a comprehensive patient history gathered from the patient, patient's record, significant others or physician.
Learns to instruct patients in the use of PAP therapy during the testing procedure. Learns how to reinforce to the patient the importance of compliance with a treatment plan when established by the physician.
Learns to prepare a patient testing room making sure it is neat, clean and safe and a pleasant environment for the patient.
Learns to clean equipment and how to make sure it is properly stored.
Learns to compile scored sleep studies for the interpreting physician. Pays attention to neatness and accuracy.
Participates in attending professional meetings, seminars, literature/journal reviews. Attends a minimum of one seminar per year.
Is receptive and implements suggestions for improving quality of any procedures.
Actively participates in departmental education programs.
Demonstrates the ability to listen patiently and respond to customer’s needs. Follows through when needs are not met.
Demonstrates the ability to be pro-active when interacting with customers to provide satisfaction.
Demonstrates a positive, open-minded, can-do attitude. Represents a team perspective and a willingness/enthusiasm to embrace and facilitate change.
Completes all documentation necessary related to the testing process. This includes computerized all necessary paperwork for the patient file and computerized documentation, as well as testing related charges.
Learns to accurately measure according to International 10-20 system including full head measurement.
Learns to apply EEG, EOG, EKG and EMG electrodes in a timely manner with electrode impedances that meet lab standards and established department policies.
Learns to apply appropriate transducers to monitor respiratory effort, airflow and oxygen saturation.
Learns to recognize, monitor and/or eliminate electrode artifacts such as high impedance leads, muscle artifacts, eye movements, respiration artifact and EKG artifact in order to obtain an adequate test.
Learns to perform in lab sleep studies, HSATs, MSLTs, MWTs and scoring of sleep studies accurately and in accordance with AASM guidelines.
Learns how to monitor patients throughout the shift. Learns to identify normal cardiac rhythm and respiratory status. Learns to identify any abnormalities and documents.
Learns how to implement alternative non-standard montages and machine settings to better define abnormalities. This includes filter and sensitivity controls and/or use of extra electrodes.
Learns to recognize various medical and pharmacological conditions which influence the study. Learns to correlate abnormal EEG and polysomnogram test results with various disease states. Documents.
Learns to perform in an efficient and productive manner. Follows ACNS and AASM guidelines.
Attends 100% of staff meetings unless on approved vacation or sick leave.
Other duties as assigned.