Sleep Study Specialist

Hours:
Full-time, Nights

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Sleep Study Specialist is a skilled and proficient professional who operates under the general oversight of the Clinical Medical Director or their delegate to conduct thorough assessments and treatments for sleep-related disorders.

This role encompasses advanced responsibilities, including the evaluation of sleep studies and the preparation of initial reports for physician review, as well as finalizing reports post-physician approval.

The specialist performs sleep studies, including intricate and advanced procedures, delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services. Engages in quality enhancement initiatives and works autonomously, demonstrating sound judgment and exceptional clinical abilities in complex patient care scenarios.

Provides outstanding patient care while adhering to the standards and protocols set forth by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT), American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and Pullman Regional Hospital, ensuring maximum patient safety and service quality.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Training: Successful completion of a Polysomnography Program in accordance with state licensure.

Experience: Prior experience in sleep medicine is preferred. BLS certification is mandatory within three months of employment.

License/Registration: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) certified by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).

Patient Demographics: Serves Pediatric, Adolescent, Young Adult, Middle Age, and Elderly populations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and Prioritizing

Organizes patient care by adhering to procedural guidelines to ensure accurate data collection.

Exhibits the capability to adjust priorities to achieve optimal outcomes and modify procedures based on patient feedback.

Assesses and reports on inventory status.

Data Acquisition

Conducts polysomnographic data collection while ensuring the quality of study signals remains artifact-free.

Documents baseline metrics, observations, sleep stages, clinical occurrences, positional changes, and other significant events such as cardiac irregularities, seizure episodes, types of apneas, hypoxemias, sleep disturbances, PLMS, and other movement disorders.

Confirms the integrity of gathered data and completes the data collection process (e.g., repeating physiological and instrument calibrations and guiding the patient in completing necessary questionnaires).

Clinical Decision-Making

Implements suitable interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic measures such as continuous and Bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen therapy, etc.), collaborating with physicians regarding any medical concerns as needed to ensure quality results.

Reports near misses and documents errors promptly to enhance processes and identify trends. Recognizes appropriate corrective actions and improvement initiatives, contributing to departmental and hospital quality and safety targets.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care in the treatment, assessment, and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Effective Communication

Clarifies procedures and familiarizes patients with the Sleep Lab environment. Exhibits proficient written and verbal communication skills.

Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively sharing and reporting relevant patient care information and data comprehensively.

Evaluates sleep study-related equipment, documenting and reporting malfunctions. Consults with leadership on technical issues. Addresses procedural inquiries from study participants by providing accurate information. Engages with patients and their families in a respectful and open manner.

Technical Expertise

Prepares patients for procedures, addressing their physical needs, applying electrodes, sensors, and other monitoring devices according to departmental protocols and professional standards.

Conducts necessary physiological calibrations to ensure accurate signals, adjusting as needed for optimal results. Executes complex and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions, analyzing intricate situations and taking appropriate actions. Maintains routine and complex equipment care. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new techniques and utilize new equipment.

Records routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedures, and other significant occurrences to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results.

Implements necessary interventions (including actions required for patient safety and therapeutic measures such as [CPAP or BiPAP or oxygen]).

Team Collaboration

Fosters a positive work atmosphere and contributes to a dynamic team-oriented environment that actively supports one another to achieve optimal departmental outcomes.

Shares pertinent information with other healthcare team members. Engages in constructive problem-solving regarding team issues.

Quality Assurance

Conducts all procedures related to sleep studies, including diagnostic and therapeutic tasks, Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, and oxygen titration, etc.

to ensure accurate data collection in accordance with established protocols and policies. Diligently documents all patient care and polysomnography-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation systems. Identifies areas for potential improvement in service quality and participates in quality enhancement efforts.

Outcomes Measurement

Scores sleep studies (including Home Sleep Studies) in line with guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and departmental policies.

Prepares detailed preliminary polysomnographic reports for physician interpretation and finalizes the reporting process once physician approval is obtained.

Continuous Education

Engages in ongoing educational activities necessary to maintain and enhance competency. Keeps current CPR/BLS certification. Seeks opportunities for learning beyond baseline competencies, focusing on continuous development as a Polysomnographic Technologist.

Work Efficiency

Demonstrates the ability to work independently, completing tasks in a timely manner.

Dependability

Exhibits punctuality in reporting to work and adherence to meal and break schedules. Completes assigned tasks reliably. Complies with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards regarding safety and infection control practices.

Patient Education

Instructs patients on sleep study procedures, addressing questions and ensuring all documentation and consent forms are completed. Acts as a resource for colleagues, teaching, orienting, and mentoring both new and experienced Polysomnographic Technologists.

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Identifies safety concerns and actively seeks to address these issues.

Accountability

Demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service to those around us.

Ethical Standards

Consistently performs work in an ethical manner. Maintains open communication and collaboration with colleagues regarding decisions involving legal and ethical considerations.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other non-essential functions as requested.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting: 50%

Standing/Walking:
50%.

Occasional lifting of equipment and compressors weighing up to 50 pounds.

Occasional climbing of stairs to access different levels of the facility.

Occasional bending/kneeling/crouching to work with equipment and provide patient care.

Frequent reaching/handling/fingering/feeling to access supplies, manipulate equipment, and deliver patient care.

Constant communication/hearing/vision to interact with other healthcare professionals and provide patient care.

Specific vision abilities required for this role include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Location:
Indoor.

Occasional exposure to chemical vapors.

Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts of equipment.

Occasional exposure to pressurized gases when working with specific equipment.

COMPENSATION:

$29.03-$45.19 Hourly

Pullman Regional Hospital is committed to excellence.

We are an independent, patient-centered, award-winning organization with a unique, collaborative, and inclusive culture.

Our dedicated team of over 600 employees serves patients and communities through Pullman Regional Hospital, the Foundation, and our expanding network of clinics.

As one of the largest employers in the region, we are a community leader in healthcare initiatives. Together, we strive to elevate the standard of quality healthcare and enhance the patient experience. In this manner, the extraordinary becomes the expected at Pullman Regional.

Our greatest asset is our workforce.

We seek passionate individuals who align with our mission to promote and facilitate a healthier quality of life for our community.

If you are dedicated to health and healing, enjoy assisting others, and wish to be part of an organization that values growth and development, we look forward to connecting with you.

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