Polysomnography Extern

Aurora Health Care; Mequon (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Mequon, Wisconsin, is seeking a dedicated individual for patient care roles involving sleep studies. The position requires a high school diploma, with the expectation of obtaining BLS certification within 30 days. Candidates must also complete an Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program within 3 months. This role includes tasks such as learning to score sleep stages, assisting with therapeutic interventions, and ensuring data collection integrity. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are required.

Qualifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification must be obtained within 30 days.
• Completion of Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) within 3 months.
• Typically requires 6 months of direct patient care experience.

Responsibilities

• Learn scoring sleep/wake stages and generating accurate reports.
• Assist with therapeutic interventions under supervision.
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality.
• Follow procedures to verify integrity of collected data.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Graduate

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• Learn, under the supervision of a Polysomnographic Technician, scoring sleep/wake stages and generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.
• Learn, 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).
• Perform polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to recognize and eliminate artifacts observed during the test, under supervision.
• Follow wake procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process, including repeat physiological and instrument calibrations and instructing the patient on completing questionnaires.
• Set up video and audio monitoring apparatus under supervision; maintain equipment, detect malfunctions, perform minor adjustments, and report major repairs as needed; monitor equipment supply levels.
• Participate in quality assurance and improvement measures and processes.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, including growth and development considerations and the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status to identify age-specific needs, as described in department policies and procedures.

Licensure, Registration And/or Certification Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) must be obtained within 30 days.
• Completion of Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) must 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; exposure to road hazards.
• Operates all equipment essential to performing the job.
• Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, and kneel throughout the 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.