REGISTERED POLYSOMNOGRAPHER

Independence Health System•Butler Township, PA

About The Position

The Registered Polysomnographer performs independent sleep testing, analysis, education, and clinical oversight of patients throughout the testing process. The role uses extensive knowledge of sleep equipment and software to support quality outcomes. The technologist provides direct and indirect patient care, gathers and analyzes patient information, prepares patients and equipment, performs and scores polysomnographic procedures, and follows departmental and hospital standards. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a coach and mentor to 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.

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 listed essential functions and meet the physical and working-condition requirements.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide 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; document calls and patient-related information, report concerns, and act as a patient advocate.
Support patient education and the coordination of care activities that promote health, self-care, and improved outcomes.
Demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, sound judgment, problem-solving, and appropriate use of the chain of command; serve as a resource person and mentor.
Assist with regulatory compliance, inspections, surveys, audits, and ongoing performance improvement activities.
Follow infection-control practices and maintain supplies, linens, and sterile supplies in assigned areas.
Use computers for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, and other required tasks.
Participate in educational activities, staff education, hospital committees, and related projects; make recommendations for staff development.
Gather, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify testing needs; enter information accurately into hospital IT systems and obtain insurance authorizations as directed.
Verify patient identity, explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures, and prepare the patient for testing.
Calibrate equipment, apply electrodes according to accepted standards, perform physiological calibrations, and fit PAP masks before PAP titration testing.
Perform polysomnographic procedures according to approved sleep-industry protocols, including seizure, parasomnia, PAP and/or oxygen titration studies, MWT, and MSLT as applicable.
Establish and document baseline values at lights out; acquire polysomnographic data while monitoring signals, documenting abnormalities and correction attempts, clinical observations, sleep stages, events, and procedural changes.
Assist with interventions needed to ensure patient safety; remove testing equipment and have patients complete a survey.
Score sleep/wake stages in real time, including cardiac events, limb movements, respiratory events, and arousals; generate accurate reports and technical notes.
Clean equipment as required, maintain current CPR certification, follow direction, demonstrate appropriate social and customer-service skills, and participate in sleep-focused education as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.