Essential Functions

• Demonstrates competency in Sleep Center diagnostics, including performing patient hookups, conducts overnight physiologic studies-polysomnograms (PSG), collects vital signs and other pertinent information to ensure proper interpretation by the physician/polysomnographer in accordance with established policies and procedures as assigned.
• Reviews existing information in the patient record, examines orders and protocols for study, recognizes sleep/wake or respiratory complaints, sleep patterns and potential need for treatment intervention during testing, collects pertinent patient information to ensure proper interpretation by the physician and communicates with ordering physician or clinic to clarify unclear or inappropriate orders and communicates information about the patient’s status.
• Performs operational checks and calibrations prior to initiating the study and ensure the accuracy and safety of instruments in use during the patient recording. Performs routine and troubleshooting maintenance on equipment, contacting Clinical Engineering or manufacturers for repairs as needed. Notifies Respiratory Equipment Tech or Sleep Lab Manager for unresolved equipment problems.
• Recognizes normal and abnormal physiologic waveforms, maintains accurate and precise documentation, performs analysis precisely and safely and prepares final reports for physician review. Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identifies, corrects, and documents artifact.
• Follows procedural protocols such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Performs appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and makes required adjustments.
• Implements appropriate interventions for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure and oxygen administration. Performs positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
• Score sleep/wake stages and clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.), utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standards. Documents changes in procedure and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patient’s medical problems and physiological events, activating emergency response for urgent help and administering supplemental oxygen or basic life support until help arrives.
• Cleans all equipment ensuring infection control and complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Accurately records verbal and telephone sleep diagnostic orders from physicians in the patient record.
• Assists physician during clinic evaluations of patients and provides patient education as indicated.
• Assists with development and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Communicates openly and effectively with all members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.

Other Related Functions

• Schedules patients for Sleep Center procedures.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care to patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Assesses data reflective of the patient’s status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs.
• Provides the care as described in the unit’s/area’s/department’s policies and procedures.
• Performs all other duties as requested.

Education/Training

• Successful completion of a polysomnography program 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 Technologist

Licensure/Certification

• Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or equivalent.
• Maintain current BLS certification.

Experience

• A minimum of 6 months of clinical experience is preferred.