RPSGT/Sleep Technician

Duties

a)     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/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.

b)     Testing Preparation Procedures: Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning, apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards, perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals, and perform routine positive airy pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

c)     Polysomnographic Procedures: Follow procedural protocols (such as Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), Out of Center Sleep Testing (OCST), parasonmia studies, PAP and 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.  Identify and report signal abnormalities.  Document routine observations, including sleep sages and clinical events, changes in procedure and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.  Assist with appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc).  Follow "light on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc).  Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.  Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.

d)     Review and maintain patient medical record.

e)     Prepare paperwork for that night's testing.

f)      Discuss any concerns with the Sleep Center Medical Director/Manager.

g)     Prepare patient rooms.

h)     Ensure patient rooms are well stocked.

i)      Ensure patient special needs are available and in the sleep center.

j)      Turn on and calibrate equipment.

k)     Greet patient(s).

l)      Explain test to patient, answer questions and review the patient questionnaire.

m)   Ensure informed consent is signed.

n)     Instruct patient to change into bed clothes.

o)     Apply electrodes and monitoring equipment.

p)     Perform impedance checks and machine / patient physiologic bio-calibrations.

q)     Begins testing.

r)      Monitoring patient throughout sleep study.

s)     Obtain artifact free polysomnographic data on one or two patients.

t)      End test, mark data and complete all documentation.

u)     Remove electrodes and monitoring equipment from patient.

v)     Complete post-test questionnaire.

w)    Remind patient to call referring physician for follow-up appointment to discuss results.

x)     Clean patient room, control room and equipment.

y)     Schedule patients

z)     Answer patient questions/concerns

aa)  Prepare schedule for Sleep Center Technologist (as indicated)

bb)  Stock Sleep Center and order supplies as needed.

cc)   Score polysomnographs and generate appropriate reports.

Perform any daytime testing, i.e. MSLT, MWT (as indicated).