Polysomnographic extern

Develop skills in collecting, analyzing, and integrating patient information to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).

Develop skills in determining final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

Follows sleep center protocols related to the sleep study which includes learning to review pertinent information from the patient’s history and verifying medical orders.

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, scoring sleep/wake stages and with the generation of accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, appropriate interventions including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous (CPAP) and bi-level (BIPAP) positive airway pressure and oxygen administration.

Assist with procedures and therapeutic interventions such as auto servo ventilation (SV) titrations, average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT), and home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to recognize and eliminate all artifacts observed during the test.

Follows wake procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires.

Sets up video and audio monitoring apparatus under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician. Keeps the equipment in clean operating condition, detecting instrument malfunctions, making minor adjustments, and reporting the need for major repairs. Monitors equipment supply levels and maintains appropriate equipment at hand.

Participates in all quality assurance and improvement measures and processes.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.  Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required:

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 30 days, and

Completion of Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) needs to be completed within 3 months

Education Required:

High School Graduate

Experience Required:

Typically requires 6 months of direct patient care experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. 

Basic computer skills.

Demonstrates the ability to take direction, consistently implement direction given, and effectively and professionally ask for direction or clarification from others including the registered Polysomnography Technologists, Lead Technologist, Supervisor and Manager.

Demonstrates the ability to make excellent clinical decisions independently as applicable and while under the direction and guidance of the registered Polysomnography Technologist.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

May drive between sites therefore will be exposed to road hazards.

Operates all equipment essential to performing the job. 

Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, and kneel throughout workday. 

Must be able to:
lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.

Must be able to:
push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.

Exposed to mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards and thus protective clothing must be worn as necessary.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Develop skills in collecting, analyzing, and integrating patient information to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).

Develop skills in determining final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

Follows sleep center protocols related to the sleep study which includes learning to review pertinent information from the patient’s history and verifying medical orders.

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, scoring sleep/wake stages and with the generation of accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, appropriate interventions including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous (CPAP) and bi-level (BIPAP) positive airway pressure and oxygen administration.

Assist with procedures and therapeutic interventions such as auto servo ventilation (SV) titrations, average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT), and home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Learning, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to recognize and eliminate all artifacts observed during the test.

Follows wake procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires.

Sets up video and audio monitoring apparatus under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician. Keeps the equipment in clean operating condition, detecting instrument malfunctions, making minor adjustments, and reporting the need for major repairs. Monitors equipment supply levels and maintains appropriate equipment at hand.

Participates in all quality assurance and improvement measures and processes.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.  Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required:

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 30 days, and

Completion of Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) needs to be completed within 3 months

Education Required:

High School Graduate

Experience Required:

Typically requires 6 months of direct patient care experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. 

Basic computer skills.

Demonstrates the ability to take direction, consistently implement direction given, and effectively and professionally ask for direction or clarification from others including the registered Polysomnography Technologists, Lead Technologist, Supervisor and Manager.

Demonstrates the ability to make excellent clinical decisions independently as applicable and while under the direction and guidance of the registered Polysomnography Technologist.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

May drive between sites therefore will be exposed to road hazards.

Operates all equipment essential to performing the job. 

Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, and kneel throughout workday. 

Must be able to:
lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.

Must be able to:
push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.

Exposed to mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards and thus protective clothing must be worn as necessary.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.