POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGIST

Overview: A Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D., O.D., 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. A Polysomnographic Technologist can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may provide supervision of other staff.
A Polysomnographic Technologist demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.
Responsibilities: Domains of Practice:
Gather and Analyze Patient Information
Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (Physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
Complete and verify documentation.
Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
Testing Preparation Procedures:
Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary.
Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) interface device fitting.
Polysomnographic Procedures:
Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, 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 Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety, utilization of Pharmacological Protocol Order for initiation of sleep, and therapeutic interventions such as CPAP, BPAP, ASV, and oxygen administration)
Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, surveys, discharge instructions, etc.)
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
Polysomnographic Record Scoring:
Score sleep/wake stages by applying AASM professionally accepted guidelines upon successful completion of the scoring competency protocol.
Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) according to center specific protocols.
Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
Service Management and Professional Issues:
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
Perform routine and complex equipment care, calibration, cleaning and maintenance.
Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
Maintain current BCLS certification.
Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills.
Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
Respond to study participant’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
Comply with the BRPT Standards of Conduct.
Demonstrates effective communication skills and maintains effective working relationships with all co-workers within and outside of the Sleep Center department.
Demonstrates excellent telephone etiquette when talking with physicians, co-workers, vendors, visitors and patients.
Exhibits “Extraordinary Care” daily:
Smile, make eye contact and say hello.
Put a smile in your voice on the phone.
Take people where they need to go.
Be courteous to everyone.
Takes pride in Covenant – keep it clean.
Offer help and ask, “What else can I do?”
Demonstrates commitment to an unsurpassed level of Customer Service; serves as a role model.
A primary aspect of this role includes positive relations with patients, guests, physicians, co-workers, vendors, and other departments.
Contributes to organization success targets for patient satisfaction and net operating margin.
Qualifications:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography. Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologis t required and/or if lapsed, required to re-certify within six (6) months of hire.
OR
Successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Polysomnographic Technician. Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologis t required and/or if lapsed, required to re-certify within six (6) months of hire.
Recertification and Licensure Requirements:
Recertification every 5 years is required of ALL RPSGT’s per current BRPT policy to meet the
requirements of maintaining the RPSGT credential:
50 Continuing Education Credits must be accumulated in 5 years (10 Continuing Education Credits per year is recommended/5 CEC minimum required per year). A record of these Continuing Education Credits is maintained via the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists (APT) but documentation of participation is the responsibility of the technologist to obtain and submit.
Licensure requirements, if applicable to the employee (i.e. RRT, CRT) are based on the framework implemented by the State of Michigan and the AARC.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
Scope of practice for a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.
The ability to work and apply critical thinking skills in a fast paced, changing work environment with a focus upon patient centered care.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
Constant lifting up to 10 lbs.
Constant sitting, talking, hearing and near vision.
Frequent lifting up to 25 lbs.
Frequent standing, stooping, twisting, reaching, handling, fingering, feeling, midrange vision, far vision, depth perception, visual accommodation, color vision and field of vision.
Occasional lifting up to 100 lbs. or more.
Occasional walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, squatting, crawling, tasting and smelling.