Registered Polysomnographer

Independence Health System Careers•Butler, PA

About The Position

The Registered Polysomnographer performs independent sleep testing, analysis, patient education, and clinical oversight throughout the testing process. The role uses sleep equipment and software to support quality outcomes and provides direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care. The technologist gathers and analyzes patient information, prepares patients and equipment, conducts polysomnographic procedures, monitors and documents studies, scores test data, and generates reports. The position also supports patient safety, education, infection control, regulatory compliance, department operations, and staff development. There are no direct supervisory responsibilities, though the technologist may coach and mentor others in the department. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work. Local travel between Independence Health System locations may be expected. The work environment may require goggles, a face shield, and a mask according to CDC guidelines. For lifting requirements over 50 pounds, two-person assistance and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Related training or experience working as a polysomnographer in a sleep lab.
Functional skills using a PC and related software, including Microsoft Office.
Strong leadership, organizational, independent-thinking, and critical-thinking skills; sound judgment and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Licensed to practice as a Polysomnographic Technologist through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT).
Current Basic Life Support certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum.
Act 33 clearance with renewal; Act 34 clearance with renewal; and Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
Ability to perform the essential functions listed for the position.
Ability to use two-person lift assistance and/or a transfer device when lifting requirements exceed 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Assist with patient care needs and activities of daily living as needed; collect, document, and report patient-care data and observations.
Communicate with patients, families, peers, and the treatment team; respond to and document patient and family phone calls.
Support patient education, self-care, health maintenance, and improved outcomes; explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures.
Gather, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify testing needs; accurately enter patient information into hospital IT systems and identify patients using name and date of birth.
Obtain insurance authorizations as directed.
Prepare patients and equipment for testing; calibrate equipment, apply electrodes according to accepted standards, validate signals through physiological calibrations, and fit PAP masks before PAP titration testing.
Perform polysomnographic procedures, including seizure, parasomnia, PAP and/or oxygen titration studies, MWT, and MSLT, following approved sleep-industry protocols.
Follow and document the lights-out procedure and baseline values, acquire polysomnographic data while monitoring signal quality, document abnormalities and correction attempts, and record clinical observations and events.
Assist with interventions needed to ensure patient safety, remove testing equipment after the study, and have patients complete surveys.
Accurately score sleep/wake stages and cardiac events, limb movements, respiratory events, and arousals using the real-time score-on-the-fly method; generate accurate reports and technical notes.
Maintain compliance with applicable hospital policies, infection-control requirements, behavioral standards, customer-service expectations, and regulatory requirements; assist with inspections, surveys, and audits.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities and maintain appropriate supplies, linens, and sterile supplies in assigned areas.
Use computers and related systems for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, and other work requirements.
Participate in educational activities, provide and document patient/family education, contribute to staff education, recommend staff development, and serve as a coach and mentor.
Serve as a patient advocate and resource person, use critical thinking and sound judgment, follow the chain of command, and seek supervisor assistance when appropriate.
Maintain current CPR certification, clean equipment as required, serve on hospital committees, and participate in related projects or other duties as assigned.
Travel locally between Independence Health System locations when required.