Polysomnography Technologist - Sleep Disorder Center

Cayuga Medical Center

32d

About The Position

The Polysomnography Technologist works under the general supervision of the clinical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. Work may include polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services, patient care, and education. After successfully completing the introductory period and appropriate competencies, the technologist may function independently. The role gathers and analyzes patient information, prepares patients and equipment for testing, performs and monitors sleep studies, provides appropriate therapeutic interventions, scores sleep studies, and generates reports. The technologist also maintains equipment and inventory, follows applicable safety and infection-control requirements, contributes to Sleep Lab quality-improvement data collection and analysis, and provides patient-centered care and communication. The position includes attending required annual educational programs and performing other assigned duties. The role requires successful completion of an approved associate or higher degree program in polysomnographic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing; RPSGT certification within 1.5 years of acceptance of the position; and an applicable New York State respiratory therapist, respiratory technician, or polysomnographic license. BLS certification is required within 90 days of hire; ACLS is preferred. The position has physical demands including frequent standing and handling or reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds on occasion. It involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Requirements

Successful completion of an approved associate or higher degree program in polysomnographic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing.
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) certification within 1.5 years of acceptance of the position.
New York State Respiratory Therapist or Respiratory Technician license, or New York State Polysomnographic license.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including regularly lifting or moving up to 10 pounds, frequently up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
Ability to perform duties involving exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify patient-specific needs and determine testing parameters and procedures with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
Complete and verify documentation, and explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to patients.
Prepare and calibrate testing equipment and perform physiologic calibrations; apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted standards; and fit positive airway pressure (PAP) masks.
Follow protocols for polysomnographic procedures, including MSLT, MWT, parasomnia studies, PAP, and oxygen titration.
Perform lights-out procedures and document baseline values, acquire polysomnographic data while monitoring signal quality, and make adjustments as needed.
Document routine observations, sleep stages, clinical events, procedure changes, and significant events to support scoring and interpretation.
Implement appropriate patient-safety and therapeutic interventions, including continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure and oxygen administration.
Perform lights-on procedures to verify data integrity, repeat physiologic and instrument calibrations, and instruct patients on questionnaires.
Provide age-specific care, assessment, treatment, and education for neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Oversee and perform difficult or unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
Score sleep/wake stages and clinical events according to professionally accepted guidelines and center-specific protocols, and generate accurate reports by tabulating data.
Comply with applicable safety and infection-control laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards.
Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance, and evaluate sleep-study equipment and inventory.
Maintain current BLS certification and demonstrate effective written and spoken communication and appropriate social skills.
Respond to participant questions about procedures with appropriate information and analyze complex situations using policy.
Collect and analyze Sleep Lab quality-improvement data.
Attend annual mandatory educational programs, perform other assigned duties, and interact with patients in a friendly, caring, attentive manner that supports a secure and pleasant experience.