Polysomnography Tech - Reg

Casual Status

8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for approximately 2 to 7 shifts per month.  Ideally will work one 10 hour shift per week and  cover up to 4 shifts per week for staff vacations

Purpose:
Works under medical supervision to perform and evaluate overnight and daytime studies. The sleep technician functions independently to safely operate computerized equipment to record sleep/wake physiology. Essential duties of the technician are application of recording devices to the patient, cleaning/sterilization of equipment and monitoring of polysimnograms. Sleep technicians must recognize sleep pathology when it occurs in the sleep lab and respond with the appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety.

Responsibilities:

• Knowledgeable of the organization and daily operations of the ISM.Demonstrates the ability to perform work in an accurate, productive, and timely manner. Maintains work area in a ready condition and is able to coordinate efforts to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.Demonstrates ability to use reasonable initiative and judgement in applying practice theories of sleep medicineReviews patient's record in light of protocols for studies ordered and recognizes main sleep/wake complaintGathers information on Bedtime Questionnaire to assess patient's current medications, recent caffeine or alcohol ingestion, current sleep pattern and need for treatment intervention during testing i.e. insulinContacts ordering physician or ISM medical director to clarify unclear or inappropriate orders and to communicate information about the patient's status (only applicable for RN, RRT)Sets up and calibrates monitoring equipment.
• Measures and applies appropriate EEG electrodes using International 10-20 system.Applies appropriate EKG (heart), EMG (muscle), and EOG (eye movement) monitoring electrodesPlaces and securely attaches recording transducers to measure airflow, respiratory effort, oximetry and sometimes transcutaneous CO2.Performs physiological calibrations, verifies patient maneuvers, institutes lights out, records and monitors collection of patient data.Recognizes and records clinical and physiological events, notes and corrects equipment malfunctions.Alters patient's environment, monitors and changes patient's body position as needed to obtain the required sleep/wake data.Carefully wakes patients and records post test calibrations. Removes electrodes and transducers and assists patient with monitoring care as neededHas knowledge or actually scores polysomnograms and is able to generate reports summarizing sleep/wake periods, REM episodes, arousal analysis, EEG phenomena, cardiac events, respiratory events, limb movements, and other physiological events according to current guidelines.Recognizes and responds appropriately to patient's medical problems and physiological events, especially cardiac dysrhythmias, respiratory events and seizures
• Is able to safely lift and move patient without harm to patient or self.Ensures safety and welfare of all patients, including those pediatric, psychiatric, and geriatric with special needs and any other patients with special needsChecks availability and function of emergency equipmentComplies with universal infection control proceduresProperly disinfects and sterilizes appropriate electrodes, transducers and equipmentAppropriately handles hazardous materials according to MSDSUnderstands indications, contraindications and adverse effects of nasal continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure (NCPAP and bi-level ventilation) and oxygen administrationApplies and titrates therapy based on physician order and established protocolsTechnicians working daylight must be able to conduct and score Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) using MSLT guidelines, is able to prepare report of MSLT including number and time of naps, overall mean sleep latency, and latency from sleep onset of REM for each nap.Implements and documents quality assurance activities to ensure optimum performance in all aspects of ISM