Polysomnography Technician

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence.

**Job Summary**

A Polysomnographic Staff Technician performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the technical supervision of a Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and/or the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee. A staff polysomnographic technician can provide supervision of a Polysomnographic Trainee. Conducts polysomnographic procedures utilizing the appropriate protocols as outlined in national, state,

AAST, AASM, Infection Control and departmental guidelines, policies and procedures where applicable without direct supervision. Screens, determines and incorporates specialized systems to enhance the technical quality of the procedure being conducted. Adheres to the mission and values

of Lourdes by displaying a courteous, pleasant and helpful manner to patients, physicians, subordinates, fellow staff members and the general public. Provides services to patients of all ages.

**Job Functions:**

Gathers, Analyzes and reviews patient information by reviewing patient's history, physical

information, medications, procedure request, and the study protocol in order to identify and meet

the patient-specific needs and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with

the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

2. Demonstrates appropriate social skills through positive interaction with patients, comforting

them, in order to obtain a more interpretable test results and to improve patient's long term

compliance with therapy.

3. Completes and verifies documentation and writes a detailed, accurate technical report to aid

physicians in interpretation of information collected.

4. Explain the procedure and orient the patient to the sleep center.

5. Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make

adjustments, if necessary.

6. Applies electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards. Performs appropriate

physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary. Performs

positive airway pressure (PAP) mask

7. Performs Polysomnographic Procedures by Following procedural protocols [such as Multiple

Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP,

oxygen titration etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.

8. Follows "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body

position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)

9. Performs Polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.

10. Document routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.

11. Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc).

12. Follow "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)

13. 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.

14. Reviews studies with physician to clarify any discrepancies and does additional testing if necessary.

15. Assist with scoring sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Assist with scoring clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) with center specific protocols.

16. Assist with the generation of accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.

17. Adheres to service management and professional Issues Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.

18. Monitors the quality of tests being conducted while insuring prudent resource management.

19. Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.

20. Follows hospital and departmental sterile technique and keeps work area clean.

21. Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.

22. Maintain current CPR, BCLS and CRTT, or RRT certification and maintains CEU's where applicable.

23. Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills and the ability to follow direction.

24. Respond to study participant's procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.

25. Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.

26. Complies with the BRPT Standards of Conduct, applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues

27. Helps coordinate patient scheduling and performs routine office work and other menial tasks as required

**Education:**

Successful completion of a polysomnography, respiratory or neurophysiology program, of no less than one year duration, associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility OR A minimum of 6 months of experience as a Polysomnographic Trainee with documented proficiency in all required competencies OR Two or more years working in the field of sleep disorders medicine or respiratory therapy or neurophysiology and/or registry with America Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist and/or registry with Board of Registration of Polysomnographic Technologist and/or certification/registry with the National Board of Respiratory Care. Required high school diploma or equivalent, college preferred. Interest in sciences with emphasis on computers and electronics preferred.

Maintain current CPR, BCLS and CRTT, or RRT certification and maintains CEU's where applicable.

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans

Prescription drug coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance w/AD&D

Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible

Paid time off

Educational Assistance

And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health - Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours - Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com . If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com