Sleep Lab Supervisor/Polysomnographic Technologist

 Sleep Lab Supervisor/ Polysomnographic Technologist

General Summary: 

Under the direction of the Director of Cardiopulmonary, the Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the sleep lab including staff and provider productivity, schedule, work assignments and room rotation, and managing the workflow of the department.  He/she is responsible for overseeing the orientation and training of new employees, and annual competencies for the department staff.  The Supervisor is responsible for supporting and assisting in the delivery of quality patient care and professional practice, following AASM guidelines.  The Supervisor holds a certification as a Polysomnographic Technologist, is a resource to other sleep technologists, and oversees the smooth operation of the Sleep Lab office during scheduled clinic days. 

The Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director (M.D., D.O. or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. The Polysomnographic Technologist may provide supervision of other staff.   

Essential Job Functions*: 

Sleep Lab Supervisor

• Performs and/or Monitors Quality Assurance/Quality Control in conjunction with Director 

• Develops department staffing schedule and assignments 

• Responsible for ensuring that the Sleep Lab meets regulatory and accreditation requirements for Quality, Safety, staff competency and training, in conjunction with the Director. 

• Works with Director in development and review of Policies and Procedures as assigned. 

• Assists with daily operations for the Sleep Clinic, monitors appointment scheduling, authorizations for sleep studies, DME equipment referrals, and clinic workflow.  

• Monitors that documentation, coding, and billing are complete and appropriate for office visits and sleep studies. 

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download. 

• Performs patient education and instruction appropriate for home sleep apnea testing. 

• Demonstrates adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.  

• Demonstrates adherence to AASM Scoring Manual parameters for HSAT, identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generates an accurate report. 

• Demonstrates hospital’s stated mission, vision and values of teamwork, respect and communication with co-workers, patients, families and visitors. 

• Actively and appropriately participates in problem-solving identification and resolution, both intra- and inter-departmentally. 

• Meets department customer service standards and strives to enhance the level of customer service provided.   

Polysomnographic Technologist

• Gathers and analyzes patient information in order to identify and meet patient specific needs, and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols. 

• Completes and verifies documentation. 

• Explains pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient. 

• Performs testing preparation procedures, such as calibration of equipment, applying sensors and electrodes according to accepted published standards; performs appropriate physiologic calibrations, and performs positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting. 

• Performs polysomnographic procedures following established protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data and documents appropriately. 

• Follows “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values, and “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete data collection process. 

• Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-trace quality to ensure signals are artifact free and makes adjustments if necessary. 

• Documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results. 

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of patients. 

• Implements appropriate interventions including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.). 

• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.  

• Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Scores clinical events according to center specific protocols.  Assists with generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data. 

• Complies with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, regulations regarding safety and infection control standards as related to job. 

• Performs routine and complex equipment care and maintenance. 

• Evaluates sleep study related equipment and inventory.       

Qualifications: 

• Education  

Required: Successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year duration, associated with a state licensed or a nationally accredited education facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technician. A minimum of 6 months of experience as a sleep trainee with documented proficiency in all required competencies, or completion of the BRPT A-Step program 

Preferred:   Associates Degree or Certification in an Allied Health profession. 

• Work Experience 

Required:    Three or more years’ experience as a sleep technician.  Background in Respiratory Therapy, Paramedic, or Registered Nurse. 

Preferred:  Five or more years of experience as a sleep technician with progressive leadership experience.

• Licensure/Certifications/Registrations 

Required:  Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or equivalent. 

 BLS Certification 

Preferred 

• Other Skills/Knowledge 

Required: Ability to perform EEG’s. 

 Effective written and verbal communication skills.