PSG TECHNOLOGIST II - NIGHT SHIFT

About the position

The Polysomnographic (PSG) Technologist II will measure electrical activity of patient's brain waves and other physiological variables, using polysomnography in the outpatient Sleep Electroencephalographic (EEG) Clinic. This position supports outpatient research studies; clinical neurophysiology studies; and the diagnosis/treatment of sleep disorders. This staff member will collect patient information; document observations; follow protocols; record and review data; write reports; engage in training; maintain the technical environment and laboratory inventory; and assist with maintenance of equipment. The incumbent will also explain procedures to be performed in a manner that is age appropriate and understandable to patients and their family. This is a night shift position.

Responsibilities

• Complete Polysomnographic (PSG) studies.
• Collect, analyze, and integrate patient and clinical information; set up equipment; and apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Assist with seizure montages, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Bi-level, Oxygen Evaluation, Ventilator, Tracheostomy Capping, and Electroencephalography (EEG) studies.
• During recordings, observe and record clinical activity pertinent to the interpretation of the study, including but not limited to body position and movement; oximetry; airflow; end-tidal data; and respiratory effort.
• Follow procedural protocols as an antecedent to day studies (i.e., Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), etc.) to ensure the collection of appropriate data, including 'lights out' procedures and ruling out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
• Document all medications administered by nursing staff and/or physicians.
• Document routine half-hour observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of PSG results.
• Prepare preliminary PSG study reports with pertinent clinical information.
• Assist physicians with their understanding and interpretation of the PSG report.
• Review and highlight PSG records for the clinically relevant activity.
• Monitor PSG study-tracing quality ensuring that signals are artifact-free. Make adjustments if necessary.
• Score clinical events (i.e., respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Monitor and maintain equipment for recording of PSGs, and other neurophysiological studies, including maintenance, cleaning, and storing of the equipment, computers, and recording electrodes.
• Assist with the appropriate archiving and storage of study records.
• Train parents and family on the basic functioning of the even-trigger devices to record appropriate clinical activity.
• Educate study participants and their families on the Sleep EEG Clinic's monitoring procedures.
• Ensure that the interaction is according to the audience's (i.e., patient and family) level of understanding.
• Ensure quality control for all studies.
• Serve as the point of contact for the lab's Emergency Medicine Physician (EMP) regarding technical aspects.

Requirements

• Completion of American Medical Association approved program in PSG technology or one to two years of college course work with emphasis on anatomy, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology.
• Three (3) years of clinical experience performing PSGs required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with patient populations with disabilities preferred.