Sleep Lab Tech Asst - PRN

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Sleep Disorders Center Tech Assistant

MAIN FUNCTION:

Works under the supervision of an experienced RPSGT/RRT-SDS. Provides care to patients of all ages in an efficient, professional, compassionate manner. Performs all aspects of Polysomnography, including hook-up and monitoring of patients, assessment of abnormalities, sleep staging, proper documentation, MSLT's, MWT’s, applies and titrates CPAP / BILEVEL/ASV, supplemental oxygen, and unattended home sleep study programming and education. Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons, and members of the healthcare team.

Responsible for implementing sleep and electroneurodiagnostic care of assigned patients including, but not limited to: patient assessment, evaluation, and education, oxygen therapy, electrocardiograms, routine equipment cleaning/maintenance, documentation of therapies and care provided. Acts in compliance with hospital, Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep department policies/procedures, and Accreditation standards.

In addition, must have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to learn proper use of very delicate instrumentation.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Manager, Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

BLS certification (within 3 months of hire)

No written disciplinary action within the last 12 months

Completed or ability to enroll in AASM A-STEP online self-study modules and complete within two years of enrollment

Consent to a criminal background check

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

Completed the in person AASM A-STEP 80 hr course at an accredited provider

Completed or enrolled in polysomnography training in a CAAHEP accredited program or CoARC program with polysomnography add on

Associates of Science Degree or in a health-related field

Proven patient assessment skills

Excellent communication skills with patients, doctors, and peers

Previous healthcare/clinical experience

Willingness/ability to learn new skills

EKG training

Denotes ADA Essential

Follows Appropriate Service Standards

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employees in this position may be:

1. Exposed to blood, body fluids, and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
2. Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch and bend as necessary to complete tasks.
3. Subject to STHR (short term hours reduction) according to policy

• Shows competency in EKG recognition, overall patient assessment, ability to learn and interpret values of pulse oximetry and the ability to recognize when emergency assistance is needed

• Maintains competency and compliance with departmental quality assurance program, identifying and scoring sleep stages, apneas, PLMS, sleep arousals, etc., with an average score equal to or above established benchmarks and continued improvement efforts

• May be required to take “on call” status and cross-train within the Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep department

POSITION EXPECTATIONS: All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.

3 months= competent at wiring and identifying stages of sleep.

6 months= competent at sleep studies, troubleshooting and familiar with scoring. Able to recognize common EKG arrhythmias. Understands basic principles of PAP therapy.

12 months= competent at sleep studies, competent at scoring, archiving and able to run sleep clinic. Competent at titrating PAP therapies.

18 months= eligible to sit for sleep credentialling exam. After becoming eligible, the employee will have 18 months to pass exam in order to maintain employment in this position.

May be assigned for non-clinical duties; securing supplies, routine filing, assisting with scheduling of patients, completing patient billing or other duties related to the functioning of the Sleep Center as assigned by the Clinical Manager and/or Director.

Leadership

1. Embraces teamwork by adhering to standards of service excellence
2. Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
3. Role models professional practice and behavior
4. Demonstrates conflict resolution skills
5. Utilizes time management and effective use of resources
6. Uses professional communication that fosters a calm and orderly environment

1. Maintains awareness of verbal/nonverbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
2. Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions; written, verbal, electronic and digital
3. Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
4. Reports critical information to supervising therapist to be reported to physicians and others as indicated
5. Properly utilizes chain of command to handle issues
6. Facilitates communication between staff members
7. Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations
8. Utilizes proven methods to foster positive communication
9. Communicates all pertinent information regarding patients and their families care needs to other departmental staff as reasonable and necessary (ex: report)
10. Asks for help/advice from supervising therapist when needed

1. Maintains appropriate clinical skills:
   • Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate the needs of the department and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner
   • Administers care according to WCH and Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep

Policy/Procedure, current standards of care and accreditation.

• Performs assessments/reassessments and documentation to patient’s condition, needs and age, per discipline guidelines. Communicates changes in patient’s condition to supervising technologist/therapist in a timely manner so that the supervising technologist/therapist may contact Physician and suggests possible interventions and course of care as appropriate in a collaborative manner
• Provides age-appropriate teaching related to diagnosis, identifies patient/family needs and medications using available resources and assuring patient/family understanding by teach back.
• Evaluates for any additional/alternative care needs and patient/family satisfaction

1. Administers medication safely within scope of practice (if any):

• Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis
• Follows 6 rights of medication administration
• Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration • Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medications

1. Evaluates the environment to assure safety and infection control standards are met
2. Evaluates the care provided to assure it is based on practice standards and evidence based practice
3. Evaluates the educational plan and its implementation; assessing for and addressing gaps in care
4. Coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity. Able to multitask and prioritize workload. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in a timely manner
5. Demonstrates reasonable and rational judgment in decision making
6. Other duties assigned by supervising credentialed personnel

1. Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.

1. Uses evidence-based methods to:
   • Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing the patient’s compliance
   • Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction

1. Uses face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution

In conjunction with Department Manager;

1. Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and professional goals
2. Demonstrate professional development by attending conferences, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities
3. Demonstrates professional growth by maintaining awareness of changes in practices/evidence based care
4. Accepts feedback as opportunity for growth
5. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.

1. Sets goals and works toward becoming a credentialed sleep technologist
2. Identifies processes to be improved and communicate to management team.

Assists in data collection as directed

1. Develops and maintain awareness of AASM, DNV, NIAHO, CMS standards and other required quality and safety measures

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal (Birth thru 28 days)

1. Handles infants in gentle manner
2. Speaks in soothing voice
3. Holds and cuddles infant when necessary

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

1. Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
2. Speaks in soothing way
3. Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
4. Encourages parental interaction with infant

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

1. Allows choices when possible
2. Speaks directly using few, clear simple terms and explanations

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

1. Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
2. Provides for patient’s modesty
3. Tells patient exactly what will be expected
4. Allows patient control
5. Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

1. Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations and treats patient with dignity and respect
2. Teaches patient about one item at a time and speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms
3. Repeats instructions several times
4. Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient
5. Provides for patient’s modesty
6. Tells patient what will be expected
7. Allows patient control

Created: 10/2024

Revised: 10/2024

Approved: TMMyers