Description

Purpose:
A sleep technologist works under the general supervision of the medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders including in center and out of center sleep testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. A sleep technologist is able to perform all basic functions of the lab and is credentialed in sleep technology.

Responsibilities:

• Sleep Study Procedures- Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.- Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.- Follow 'lights out' procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up- 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).- Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.- Review the patient's history and verify the medical order.- Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.- When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
• Sleep Study Procedures continued:- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.- Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for out of center sleep testing.- Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.- Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for OCST; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report
• Sleep Study Procedures continued:- Follow 'lights on' procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).- Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.- Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.- Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.- 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.
• Service Management and Essential Skills- Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.- Demonstrate ability to follow direction.- Respond to sleep patients' procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.- Provide patient education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.- Adhere to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.- Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.- Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.- Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.- Comply with professional standards of conduct.
• Service Management and Essential Skills- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.- Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.- Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.- Demonstrate appropriate social skills.- Demonstrate customer service skills.- Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.- Demonstrate teamwork skills.
• Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up continued:- Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or out of center sleep testing.- Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.- Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.- Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.- Assist with research projects as requested.
• Sleep Study Procedures continued:- Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.- 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.- Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).

Qualifications

Graduate from an education program in polysomnography accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) preferred.Sleep credential from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT), the American Board of Sleep Medicine (RST) or the National Board of Respiratory Care (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) required.One year polysomnography training/experience requiredORGraduate from an education program in polysomnography accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) required.Sleep credential from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT), the American Board of Sleep Medicine (RST) or the National Board of Respiratory Care (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) within 18 months of employment required.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Sleep credential from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT), the American Board of Sleep Medicine (RST) or the National Board of Respiratory Care (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) within 18 months of employment required.CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

Clearances must be dated within 90 days
 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT) OR Registered Polysomnographic Technologist OR Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal


• UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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