Sleep Tech I

Carilion Clinic•Lexington, VA

6d•$24 - $36•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 role includes gathering and analyzing patient information, preparing patients and equipment, conducting in-center and out-of-center sleep testing, monitoring and documenting studies, assisting with scoring and reporting, and supporting patient education and safety. The technician follows sleep center protocols, applicable safety and infection-control requirements, professional standards, and privacy policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
No experience required.
Demonstrated computer skills appropriate for the position.
Effective written and spoken communication skills.
Appropriate social and customer-service skills.
Critical-thinking skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to work as part of a team and follow direction.
Register for BLS certification upon accepting the position and complete required training within 1–3 months of hire, based on class availability.
Enroll in or be enrolled in an accredited sleep technician training program; complete the required sleep technician education within 6 months of hire.
After completing the education requirement, obtain an additional 6 months of on-the-job training and experience to become eligible for the RPSGT/BRPT exam.
Sit for and pass the RPSGT/BRPT exam within 1 year of hire and obtain Polysomnographic Technologist certification.
Obtain required CMEs and apply for a Virginia Board of Medicine license within 18 months of hire.
Maintain required licensures throughout employment in accordance with BRPT and AASM requirements.
Obtain and maintain AHA BLS-HCP certification within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Review patient history and verify medical orders; follow sleep center protocols for each study.
Verify patient identification, collect required documents, obtain consent, explain procedures, and orient patients to in-center or home sleep apnea testing.
Provide age-specific care and education for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Select, calibrate, and maintain testing equipment; apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted standards.
Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
Prepare and instruct patients for laboratory studies and out-of-center sleep testing.
Follow protocols for polysomnography, MSLT, MWT, parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, and other applicable procedures.
Complete lights-out and lights-on procedures, establish and document baseline values, verify data integrity, and complete data collection.
Acquire data while monitoring signal quality; identify, correct, and document artifacts.
Document routine observations, sleep stages, clinical events, procedure changes, and other significant events.
Implement appropriate patient-safety and therapeutic interventions, including PAP and oxygen administration when indicated.
Assist with scoring sleep/wake stages and clinical events using AASM standards and center-specific protocols, and help generate accurate reports.
Prepare portable monitoring equipment, download data, instruct patients in home sleep apnea testing, and clean and disinfect devices.
Assist with scoring portable monitoring recordings, identifying artifacts, inadequate signals, and study failures, and generating accurate reports.
Comply with applicable safety and infection-control laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards.
Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and evaluate inventory.
Respond to patient questions about testing, provide patient education using center protocols, and adhere to sleep center quality-assurance policies.
Comply with professional standards of conduct and HIPAA privacy and security policies.