Polysomnographic Technologist (NIGHTS)(PT)

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare; Elizabeth City (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare Sleep Center in North Carolina seeks a Polysomnographic Technologist to perform sleep studies including CPAP titration, score sleep stages, and educate patients in the Sleep Center.

You will calibrate equipment, maintain records, ensure data quality, and support accreditation efforts while following HIPAA and AASM standards.

Experience: 1+ years preferred, education: accredited polysomnography or respiratory therapy program; licensure/registry eligibility required.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of an accredited Polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy program.
• Preferred Associate’s degree with emphasis in polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy.

Responsibilities

• Perform polysomnographic tests and CPAP titration for sleep disorders.
• Calibrate and test polysomnography equipment to ensure data quality.
• Document sleep studies and patient observations accurately.
• Maintain patient records and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Education

Accredited Polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy program

Associate’s degree in polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy

Job description

Summary

The Polysomnographic Technologist is responsible for performing specific clinical tests related to the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, including polysomnography, CPAP titration, patient education, certain patient care activities, records maintenance, and other related patient care tasks as delegated by the Sleep Center Supervisor.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

Summary

• Perform all activities related to the diagnosis of sleep disorders
• Perform Sleep Studies with and without CPAP
• Perform split night studies as indicated
• Titrate oxygen and CPAP when indicated during a study
• Welcome patients to the Sleep Center and help acclimate them to the sleep center environment
• Intervene when life threatening epochs are witnessed and recorded
• Maintains all patient care medical records.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all medical records in accordance with HIPPA guidelines
• Complete and verify all forms of documentation
• Explain pre-testing, testing, and post testing procedures to the patient
• Calibrate and test systems and equipment regularly
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations
• Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signal, making adjustments as necessary
• Perform CPAP mask fittings
• To ensure the accurate collection of data, follow procedural protocols when performing patient tests including Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLTs), Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWTs}, Parasomnia studies, CPAP, Oxygen titration, etc.
• Follow "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values such as body position, SA02, RR and heart rate
• Follow "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)
• Perform Polysomnographic Data Acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact free, making adjustments as necessary
• Document routine observations including sleep stages, clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnography results
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as CPAP, Bi-PAP and Oxygen administration.)
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of the infant, pediatric, adult, and geriatric population
• Score sleep/awake stages by following professionally accepted guidelines
• Score clinical events such as respiratory epochs, cardiac epochs, limb movements, arousals, etc.
• Scores tests concurrently
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/awake and clinical event data
• Help to secure sleep lab accreditation and all regulatory compliance issues including safety and infection control
• Maintain the Sleep Center equipment
• Review supplies needed for testing and report shortages to the supervisor
• Maintain a safe and clean environment
• Review all policies and procedures annually with the Sleep Center Supervisor
• Assist with data collection for the Sleep Center Performance Improvement Plan
• Meet with the Sleep Center Supervisor and the Sleep lab Medical Directors as needed
• Attend monthly departmental meetings
• Maintain all patient records in accordance with CRMC, HIPPA, and AASM standards
• Take calls as required
• Analyze complex clinical situations and apply good clinical judgment while follow department/hospital policy
• Provide input to the Sleep Center Supervisor during the annual budgetary process
• Comply with the BRPT and AASM standards for conduct and ethics
• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services
• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Experience: One (1) or more years’ experience as a Polysomnographic Technician is preferred, but will accept new graduates who can achieve proficiency within 90 days of employment.

Education And Experience

• Minimum Required Education: Successful completion of an accredited Polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy program
• Preferred Education: Associate’s degree with an emphasis in polysomnography or Respiratory Therapy

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Applicant must be registered, or registry eligible, with the Board of Registry for Polysomnographic Technologists; if registry eligible, certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Must be licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia or the State of North Carolina, depending upon the department location.