Polysomnographic Technologist

Department Overview

The night shift Polysomnographic (PSG) Technologist performs and scores polysomnographic recordings working 3 nights per week Monday – Sunday from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM at two locations, the OHSU Sleep Disorders Laboratory at the Residence Inn, and the Sleep Lab Tanasbourne. The PSG Technologist works with

both pediatric and adult populations, ensuring all aspects related to high quality data acquisition, review and

scoring are accomplished. Typical staffing is 2:1 (two patients to one technologist).

The PSG Technologist performs routine and specialized procedures related to Sleep Disorders including, but

not limited to: a) Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG), b) Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), c) Maintenance

of Wakefulness Test (MWT), d) Home Apnea Testing, e) PAP-NAPs and f) Ambulatory studies. PSG Technologists possess exceptional technical skills regarding all diagnostic, therapeutic and ancillary equipment; are able to make independent clinical decisions, recognize sleep pathologies and respond with

appropriate interventions (i.e. CPAP, Bilevel, and Oxygen); and can clearly communicate with the patient and

educate them about their testing and care.

Technologists maintain a high standard of documentation for all interactions and observations during the sleep

study. Clear and thorough documentation within the PSG acquisition software, study templates and in Epic

according to departmental and OHSU standards is expected. Techs are responsible for monitoring the quality

of collected raw data as an integral part of departmental quality improvement standards.

PSG Technologists are responsible to completely score a minimum of one of their acquired sleep studies during their shift and make it available for physician review prior to the end of their scheduled shift. Technologists must be able to meet departmental standards for inter-reliability scoring and ensure PSG recordings are scored within a timely manner in accordance with performance standards. PSG Technologists

are responsible for maintaining the patient tracking spreadsheet, monitoring data archival and overall data

management, and are able to troubleshoot basic computer problems and any problems related to the equipment used for study acquisition as they arise.

The Polysomnographic Technologist is expected to provide supportive training, oversight and accountability for new technicians, interns and trainees. Able to perform other duties deemed appropriate by Program Administration, Neurology Sleep Program/Clinic Managers and Medical Directors.

Function/Duties of Position

Monitoring/Instrumentation:

• Polysomnographic Technologists are able to perform PSG, MSLT and MWT recordings on patients ensuring high recording quality with appropriate instrument adjustments and verifications according to laboratory standards. Highly proficient in testing equipment, data acquisition parameters and therapeutic modalities from information obtained from the electronic medical record and laboratory testing orders. Ability to evaluate the clinical presentation associated with sleep and arousal disorders in determining the appropriate protocol to meet patient’s special requirements and determine final testing parameters/procedures. Can perform all calibrations, equipment checks, montage adjustments, and ensure proper function of PSG equipment prior to testing. Documents all encounter accurately within EPIC and other systems according to departmental and OHSU standards.

Clinical:

• Strong technical/clinical skills related to creating and modify PSG recording montages to optimize recognized indications, contraindications and potential side effects of treatment modalities. Can perform various types of adult and pediatric procedures for advanced monitoring including but not limited to: parasomnias, seizures, EtCO2, tcpCO2, CPAP, Bilevel, ASV and VAPs. Must possess the ability to monitor and change patients’ position or environment as needed to obtain required sleep/wake data. Strong clinical skills related to pharmacology and understanding the effects medications can present on the polysomnogram. Highly proficient in performing procedures within scope of practice and ordered by physician or nurse practitioner.

Polysomnographic Record Scoring:

• Responsible to score at least one (1) of the acquired sleep studies during their shift. Accurately scores pediatric and adult studies during and after data collection, determining sleep/wake stages, as well as scoring clinical events (respiratory, cardiac, limb movements, arousals etc.) within laboratory inter- reliability standards of at least 80%. Accurately scores PSG records in a timely manner per laboratory policies and procedures and meets performance standards. Strong clinical skills with the ability to distinguish sleep disordered breathing as well as clinical recognition of age-specific EEG, EEG arousals and alpha- intrusion to customize the sleep scoring rules to each clinical scenario. Compiles scored data into a report for physician interpretation per laboratory standards. Polysomnographic Data Management includes managing data for all sleep studies, ensures proper transfer of PSG data to server and archive, and maintains patient tracking spreadsheet with the responsibility of no data loss. Responsible to assign priority scoring for PSG records per Laboratory standards. Provides supportive training and oversight for PSG Technician 1 and technician trainees. Able to perform other duties deemed appropriate by Program Administration, Sleep Clinic/Laboratory Mangers and Medical Directors.

Artifact Recognition:

• Strong technical troubleshooting skills in determining erroneous versus true data collected; assess artifact from physiological signals; differentiate normal variants and artifact from epileptiform or seizure activity; assess oximetry recording for normal and abnormal oxyhemoglobin saturation and differentiate from artifact. Documents, eliminates and/or takes proper measures to monitor various patient and or environmental artifact; devise, document, and execute plan to troubleshoot.

Required Qualifications

• Current Licensed Polysomnographic Technologist (LPSGT) credential issued by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, or eligible to acquire LPSGT through the Health Licensing Agency prior to first day of employment.

• Current certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

• Positions within person patient care: BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly with proper grammar and spelling.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency.
• Ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly.
• Proficient knowledge of sleep disorders and sleep acquisition systems.
• Able to work independently and unsupervised. 
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology with an emphasis on sleep medicine. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in Polysomnography, Respiratory Therapy and/or EEG.
• 2 years of experience in a sleep disorders laboratory.
• Epic Scheduling
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with Sleep Disorders Specialty certificate.

Additional Details

This is a night shift schedule, with shift lengths of 12.5-hours from 7:00 pm to 7:30 am, with occasional requests to cover other shifts depending on staffing needs. The Sleep Disorders Program provides age-appropriate appropriate care to the indicated age groups: Toddlers (1-4yrs), Preschoolers (4-6yrs), School Age (6-12yrs), Adult (18-65yrs) and Geriatric (65 + yrs).

The Sleep Disorders Program is a multi-disciplinary program staffed by faculty physicians, residents and fellows that provides clinical and laboratory services for pediatric and adult populations. Sleep Laboratory has two locations off campus. Shifts will be distributed by these two locations. The sleep laboratory operates 7 nights per week, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM and polysomnographic testing is conducted at two locations: Residence Inn (Downtown Portland, 6 rooms), and Sleep Lab Tanasbourne (Tanasbourne, 5 rooms).

In the performance of this job, the employee may be exposed to chemical vapors (i.e. alcohol preps, sani- master, bleach, etc) There may also be skin contact with these substances. The employee may also be exposed to infectious agents including blood-borne pathogens.

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