Overview

Performs patient education, comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the general supervision of a Sleep Technician 3, Medical Director, or designee.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

Gather and analyze patient information

• Review history, physical information, medications, procedure request, and study protocol.
• Complete and verify documentation.

Testing preparation procedures

• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards, 10/20 system.
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

Perform polysomnographic and other testing procedures

• Follow AASM and Center procedural protocols such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, routine polysomnography, PAP and oxygen titration, dental appliance titration, pediatric polysomnography and titrations to ensure collection and analyzation of appropriate artifact free data.
• Follow AASM and Center protocols to 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 AASM and Center protocols to perform Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT)
• Follow Center protocols for cleaning and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Perform Polysomnographic Record Scoring

• Scoring sleep/wake stages, clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) using AASM guidelines and Center specific protocols.
• Generate accurate reports, correct as necessary.

 

Perform clerical duties

• Perform telephone and scheduling activities as needed to ensure department efficiency and patient service.

Perform other duties as assigned

 

 

Education and Experience

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.  All technologists and technicians conducting sleep testing who are not registered by the ABSM, BRPT, or NBRC must have completed the A-STEP Online Self Study Modules.

Certification and Licensure

 

Current CPR certification.

Holds a Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) credential or equivalent

 –OR-

Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)  

-OR-

Certification by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) as a Registered Sleep Technologist (RST)

-OR-

Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist – Sleep Disorder Specialist (RRT-SDS).

Skills and AbilitiesAnalytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Uses intuition and experience to complement data.Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions.Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings.Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Able to read and interpret written information.Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions ; Uses equipment and materials properly.Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Asks for and offers help when needed.Special Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to handle, finger, feel, climb, and balance. The employee must frequently lift up to 25 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, with occasional distance vision.             

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations

Benefits

Mercyhealth offers a generous total rewards package to eligible employees including, but not limited to: 

· Comprehensive Benefits Package: Mercyhealth offers a retirement plan with competitive matching contribution, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options, life and disability coverage, access to flexible spending plans, and a variety of other discounted voluntary benefit options.

· Competitive Compensation: Mercyhealth offers market competitive rates of pay and participates in various shift differential and special pay incentive programs.

· Paid Time Off: Mercyhealth offers a generous paid time off plan, which increases with milestone anniversaries, to allow employees the opportunity for a great work-life balance.

· Career Advancement: Mercyhealth offers a number of educational assistance programs and career ladders to support employees in their educational journey and advancement within Mercyhealth.

· Employee Wellbeing: Mercyhealth has a focus on wellbeing for employees across the organization and offers a number of tools and resources, such as an employer-sponsored health risk assessment and a Wellbeing mobile application, to assist employees on their wellbeing journey.

· Additional Benefits: Mercyhealth employees have access to our internal and external employee assistance programs, employee-only discount packages, paid parental and caregiver leaves, on-demand pay, special payment programs for patient services, and financial education to help with retirement planning.