Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

Medical University of South Carolina•Columbia, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist works under medical supervision to perform and evaluate overnight polysomnograms on pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. This individual functions independently to safely operate sophisticated medical equipment to record sleep/wake physiology. The registered polysomnographic technologist must recognize sleep pathology when it occurs in the laboratory and respond with the appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety. Knowledge of normal cardio-respiratory, neurological and sleep physiology is essential to the registered polysomnographic technologist. The technologist understands the function of equipment used to monitor and record airflow/effort, electromyograms (muscle activity), electrocardiograms (heart rate and rhythm), pulse oximetry (blood oxygenation/saturation). The identification of normal/abnormal patterns, artifact and sleep/wake stages are critical to high quality patient care. The registered polysomnographic technologist generates a report that accurately and concisely summarizes the patient's sleep/wake stages, respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movement, arousal analysis and other clinical events. The technologist must be able to score sleep studies. The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist must be able to effectively communicate and interrelate with the medical staff, nursing service and other hospital personnel.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and a minimum of 4 years of experience working with sleep patients.
State Licensure and/or professional certification requirements may be required depending on the position.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required, either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider.

Responsibilities

Review physician order to determine the appropriate study to be performed.
Complete paperwork upon arrival of patient according to established Policy & Procedure.
Select appropriate montage on computer per established Policy & Procedure.
Review patient history & physical to familiarize yourself with patient’s medications, medical history & special needs.
Utilize Age Specific Needs assessment to meet needs of patient.
Greet patient & orient to Sleep Lab. Answer any questions. Have patient complete consent form, pre-sleep questionnaire, and all other required forms. Completes department charges. Explain procedure: Hook-up, CPAP, lights out time, lights on time.
Complete patient hook-up according to established Policies & Procedures.
Check all impedance & assure that all impedance’s are <10K ohms. Show Sleep Study video to all patients appropriate & fit patients with mask, if appropriate.
Perform biocalibrations on all patients prior to “Lights Out” & post “Lights On” Check to assure that all signals are clearly identified.
Enter all patient information into computer module. Enter Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, Snore, Position, EKG findings, CPAP pressure & leak every 30 minutes in computers Technician Notes. Summarize patient’s sleep in comment section. Recognize & document clinical & physiological events. Artifact recognition & correction should be maintained according to established Policy & Procedure. ECG monitoring. PVC’s, PAC’s, SVT, AV blocks, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd degree AV Blocks, & Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter need to be documented on the event log. These arrhythmias warrant notes & close monitoring to assure that they do not progress to more severe arrhythmias. Ventricular Fibrillation/Flutter, Ventricular Tachycardia & Asystole require immediate intervention by calling 911.
Score each patient record accurately and generate a scored report for physicians to interpret.
Assure CPAP patients are at optimal pressure for at least 1 hr prior to awakening.
Perform post-study biocalibrations according to established Policy & Procedures.
Awaken patient & unhook all equipment. Have patient complete post-sleep questionnaire and evaluation of services. Discharge patient to home.
Clean all equipment according to established Policy & Procedures. Ensure that all paperwork is completed & work area is clean.
Generates report summarizing sleep/wake periods, REM episodes, cardiac events, respiratory events and other physiological events according to current guidelines.
Demonstrates the use of equipment in a safe and proper manner. Review scored report for accuracy.
Follow same basic guidelines listed in A-E above and follow split night policy/protocol. If patient has met emergency CPAP protocol at any point during split night study initiate CPAP right away. When sufficient diagnostic data has been obtained. Initiate CPAP & follow CPAP titration protocol.
Follow basic guidelines listed in A-E above. Initiate CPAP titration as ordered by MD or as per protocol on Split-study order. Follow established Policy & Procedure for CPAP titration.
Comply with all established legibility standards in all forms of written communication.
Performs regular equipment maintenance, quality control, preparation and cleaning.
Documents procedures in the hospital information system, the patient’s medical record and department files.
Inputs daily patient charges and maintains accurate patient files.
Demonstrates the use of equipment in a safe and proper manner.
Demonstrates support and compliance with MUSC’s mission, vision and values.
Other duties as assigned.