Polysomnography Technologist-Sleep Disorder Center

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency / trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

This position offers a Commitment Sign on Bonus and Relocation Assistance!!!!

Location :

Sleep Disorder Center, Durham, North Carolina

Shifts :

Three (3) 12-hour night shifts.

Any combination of shifts.

General Summary

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 providing care to patients of all ages. These tools include but are not limited to polysomnography, scoring of clinical events according to profession and laboratory guidelines (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.), generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep / wake and clinical event data, titrating 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 (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)

Assist and observe polysomnography data acquisition.

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

Assist with appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention (e.g. BPAP, O2 administration).

Assist with following "lights on" procedures to verify the integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process. (e.g. learn to perform the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)

Perform routine polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free.

Identify and report signal abnormalities.

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment and education of adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

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(such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).

Independently perform routine and c-pap / split polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.

Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention (e.g. BPAP, O2 administration).

Perform "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process. (e.g. learn to perform the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).

Level 3

Perform all duties of the Level 1 and 2.

Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical / mental limitations, current emotional / physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical / social history) to determine final testing parameters / procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

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 to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.

Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.

Follow 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.

Oversees and performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.

Performs needed maintenance on equipment to include communication of problem to co-workers, appropriate vendor or the supervisor.

Troubleshoots equipment and lab issues independently, considered an equipment super user.

Demonstrates ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.

Develops clinical standards and protocols.

Generate requisitions for patient studies prn / check in patients.

Assign nightly workload to coworkers.

Processes daily charges.

Perform 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 R RT-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.

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