What are the responsibilities and job description for the SLEEP TECHNOLOGIST position at Meadville Medical Center?
SUMMARY
The Sleep Technologist performs and evaluates overnight polysomnograms. This individual functions independently to safely operate sophisticated medical equipment to record sleeping/waking physiology. The application of recording devices to the patient, cleaning and sterilization of equipment and monitoring of polysomnograms are essential duties. Must recognize sleep pathology when it occurs and respond with appropriate intervention to ensure patient safety.
JOB DUTIES
Reports observations and changes regarding the patient's study to the appropriate health care worker, including the physician.
Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to explain the test procedure to the patient and any family members. Prepare and setup needs (physical/mental illness limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history.) Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order.
Maintains standards of care within the National guidelines for clinical Polysomnography.
Demonstrates the knowledge of and implements policies and procedures of MMC and the Respiratory Therapy Dept.
Generates quality polysomnographic recordings including, but not limited to EEG, EOG, EMG, EKG, and various respiratory measures.
Demonstrates ability to recognize artifact (patient or environmental), document, eliminates or takes proper measures to monitor the artifact.
Demonstrates increased learning and/or knowledge and skill necessary to score a sleep study and/or data for physician review.
Administers oxygen and positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and interfaces (masks) as prescribed by the patient’s physician.
Keeps equipment clean and in proper working order. Maintains knowledge of appropriate calibrations and how to make adjustments.
Demonstrates ability to troubleshoot equipment problems, repair them, or report to manager promptly.
Participates in maintaining appropriate supply levels needed for testing.
Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and continuing education.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision including the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
Adolescent:
Demonstrates safety measures when testing the adolescent patient.
Educates parents. Allow time to ask questions.
Explains procedures and equipment in a logical way.
Uses visual aids with explanation.
Applies age specific scoring criteria
Adult:
Demonstrates safety measures when testing the adult patient.
Explains procedures and equipment in a logical way.
Uses visual aids with explanation.
Applies age specific scoring criteria
Geriatric:
Demonstrates safety measures when testing the geriatric patient.
Explains procedures and equipment in a logical way.
Uses visual aids with explanation.
Applies age specific scoring criteria
Assesses need to speak directly.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS
Strength: Light Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 Lbs. occasionally, frequently up to 10 Lbs., or negligible amount constantly. Can include walking and or standing frequently even though weight is negligible. Can include pushing and or pulling of arm and or leg controls.
Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.
Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.
Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.
Accommodation: Frequently - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.
Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Must be a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSCT) credential earned from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) or Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) credential earned from the American Board of Sleep Medicine or Sleep Disorder Specialist (SDS) credential earned from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Communication skills necessary to effectively:
Provide instruction to the patient and or family.
Provide explanations to the patient and or family.
Explain respiratory intervention.
Communicate with physicians regarding patients receiving respiratory care.
Communicate with other members of the health care team.
Ability to concentrate, prioritize, plan, and perform professional respiratory care; resolve patient care problems; interact with patients, families, and other team members often during stressful times.
Must independently be able to respond to the needs of the patient and or family.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal patient care environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature change.
Subject to certain distasteful patient care activities; exposure to communicable diseases.
May be exposed to potential hazards such as chemical waste, body waste, fluids, and other possible infectious material.
May be scheduled overtime, weekend and or holiday hours.
DISCLOSURE
MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinions and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.
MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.
Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.
