Sleep Lab Tech I

Carilion Medical Center•Roanoke, VA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Sleep Lab Technician I performs sleep studies and associated interventions under supervision, develops competency in sleep diagnostics, and supports patient care during testing. The Sleep Lab Technician I A polysomnographic technician performs comprehensive sleep testing and analysis and associated interventions for both in center and out of center sleep testing, under the supervision of Sleep Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Sleep Technologist and/or the medical director or designee. The sleep technician develops competency in and performs the basic sleep testing and associated interventions. A one-year commitment to a fulltime sleep technologist position upon completion of required certification necessities is required for this position. Failure to remain employed for one year in regard to both, meeting job expectations and BRPT/AASM certification requirements will result in suspension and possible termination. Any early suspension/termination in less than one year from date of certification will result in a violation of the contractual agreement of this position and any reimbursed education modules and exam fees must hereby be repaid to Carilion. Once both the RPSGT certification and VA Board of Medicine licensure are obtained, the Sleep Technician will advance to a Sleep Technologist (sleep tech II) position.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED or current enrollment in an accredited educational program leading to certificate or associate degree with emphasis in sleep technology.
None required.
6 months of experience in an AASM accredited sleep center preferred.
Upon accepting the position as a sleep technician, candidate must register to obtain BLS certification and complete required course/training within 1-3 months of hire based on class availability.
Candidate must enroll or be enrolled in an accredited sleep tech training program.
The required sleep technician education must be completed within 6 months of hire at which point candidate will be given an additional 6 months for on-the-job training/experience to become eligible for the RPSGT/BRPT exam.
Candidate will be expected to sit for the RPSGT/BRPT exam within 1 year of hire and successfully complete the exam with a passing grade subsequently obtaining the Polysomnographic Technologist certification.
Candidate will then need to obtain required CMEs and apply for VA Board of Medicine license within 18 months of hire to meet both employment and accreditation standards.
Candidate will be expected to maintain these licensures throughout their time of employment as required by the BRPT and AASM.
Must obtain/maintain AHA BLS-HCP certification within 3 months of hire.
Demonstrates computer skills appropriate for the position.
Demonstrates effective written and spoken communication skills.
Demonstrates appropriate social skills and customer service skills.
Demonstrates critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Demonstrates teamwork.
Demonstrates the ability to follow direction.
Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.

Nice To Haves

6 months of experience in an AASM accredited sleep center

Responsibilities

Review history and verify the medical order.
Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.
Verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or home sleep apnea testing.
Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
Prepare and instruct patient in both in laboratory studies and out of center sleep testing.
Follow procedural protocols (such as Polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) and oxygen titration, etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
Perform data acquisition, while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
Documents routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
Follow “lights on” procedure to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
Assist with scoring sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
Assist with scoring clinical events (respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards and center specific protocols.
Assist with generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing.
Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
Assist with scoring portable monitoring recordings according to AASM Scoring Manual; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report.
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
Respond to sleep patients' procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
Adhere to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.
Assist with patient education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.
Comply with professional standards of conduct.