Polysomnography Technologist - Pediatric Sleep Lab-

Polysomnography Technologist - Pediatric Sleep Lab

The Sleep Tech will provide clinical assessment, physiological monitoring, and testing to assist with diagnosis, management, and prevention of sleep-related disorders with the use of various diagnostic and therapeutic tools. These tools include but are not limited to polysomnography, scoring of clinical events according to professional and laboratory guidelines, generating accurate reports, and using positive airway pressure devices, oximeter, capnography, actigraphy, nocturnal oxygen, screening devices, and questionnaires.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Level 1

• Verify the medical order and protocol.
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient to the sleep center.
• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning.
• Perform routine PAP mask fitting.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Assist with following "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values.
• Assist and observe polysomnography data acquisition.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events.
• Assist with appropriate interventions.
• Assist with following "lights on" procedures to verify the integrity of collected data.
• Perform routine polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality.
• Identify and report signal abnormalities.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age-specific care.

Level 2

• Perform all duties of the Level 1.
• Review history, physical information, medications, procedure request, and study protocol.
• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Perform "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values.
• Independently perform routine and c-pap/split polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality.
• Implement appropriate interventions.
• Perform "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data.

Level 3

• Perform all duties of the Level 1 and 2.
• Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs.
• Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
• Perform routine and complex PAP mask fitting.
• Perform routine and complex PAP/split/BPAP/ASV polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality.
• Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
• Follow procedural protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
• Performs needed maintenance on equipment.
• Troubleshoots equipment and lab issues independently.
• Demonstrates ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Develops clinical standards and protocols.
• Generates requisitions for patient studies and checks in patients.
• Assigns nightly workload to coworkers.
• Processes daily charges.
• Performs minimum number of hours designated a year as charge tech.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

Level I

High school diploma or GED or 1 year of post-secondary education, or current enrollment in an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree in a health-related field with an emphasis in polysomnography.

Level 2

Associates Degree in a health-related field preferred, or successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year in duration, associated with a state license and/or nationally accredited educational facility.

Level 3

Associates Degree in a health-related field preferred in polysomnography, or successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year in duration, associated with a state license and/or nationally accredited educational facility.

Experience

Level 1

With an associate degree in a health-related field, no experience required; otherwise 6 months of direct patient care experience.

Level 2

18 months experience in polysomnography testing preferred or documented proficiency in all required competencies as a Polysomnography Technician. If no associate degree in a health-related field, must have an additional two years' experience in direct patient care.

Level 3

4 years of experience in Polysomnography Technology required.

Licensure, and/or Certification

Level 1

Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Care Practitioner (CRT or RRT) license required. Maintain current licensure/registration with NC medical board. Maintain current BLS certification.

Level 2

Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Therapist with the sleep disorders specialist certification (either CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) required. Maintain current licensure/registration with NC medical board. Maintain current BLS certification.

Level 3

Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Therapists with the sleep disorders specialist certification (either CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) required. Maintain current licensure/registration with NC medical board. Maintain current BLS certification.

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

Level 1

A Polysomnography Technician develops competency in and performs the basics of polysomnography testing and associated interventions under direct supervision of a Polysomnography Technologist 2 or a Polysomnography Technologist 3, 10 hours of CEUs, selects 1 choice from a list of options for professional growth (e.g., member of national organization, committee work). Must be enrolled in AASM A-Step on-line education modules.

Level 2

A Polysomnography Technologist 2 performs comprehensive polysomnography testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the general supervision of a Polysomnography Technologist (RPSGT) 3 and/or the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee. A Polysomnography Technologist 2 can provide supervision of a Polysomnography Technician. 12 hours of CE, 10 must be CEUs, selects 3 choices from a list of options for professional growth.

Level 3

A Polysomnography Technologist 3 works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D., D.O., or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. A Polysomnography Technologist 3 can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnography Technologist 2 and may provide supervision of other staff. 16 hours of CE, 10 must be CEUs, selects 5 choices from a list of options for professional growth.