Sleep Technologist

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Works under medical supervision to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders, including in-center and at-home sleep apnea testing, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, safe operation of sophisticated medical equipment, comprehensive patient care and direct patient education. Credentialed in sleep technology and can provides oversight of other sleep center staff.

Provides sleep testing within Bryan Medical Center (BMC) according to physicians' orders, and policies and procedures to include pediatrics, adolescents, adults and geriatric patients.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Collects, analyzes, and integrates patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).

3. *Reviews pertinent information from the patient's history and verifies sleep study orders.

4. *Performs patient education and instruction and follows sleep study procedures appropriate for the following sleep studies per scope of practice: Polysomnography (PSG), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Bi-Level,

Adapt Servo Ventilation (ASV), Inspire, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), Oxygen therapy, and Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT).

5. *Performs data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing to ensure quality signals.

6. *Adheres to American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) scoring parameters: sleep/wake, respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, and arousals.

7. *Documents routine observations, clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of sleep study results.

8. Contacts providers regarding changes in the patient's condition and treatment needs.

9. Performs arterial phlebotomy.

10. Participates in the orientation of new personnel and supervision of students.

11. Provides timely feedback to department leadership when assisting with orientees and students.

12. *Maintains, operates and corrects equipment problems in a manner that ensures accurate results.

13. *Provides disease/process-specific patient/family education.

14. Disinfects and sterilizes equipment properly, complying with universal infection control procedures.

15. Handles hazardous waste materials such as acetone and collodion appropriately.

16. *Cleans, stocks and cares for supplies and equipment in assigned work area.

17. *Follows self-administration procedure for patient medication.

18. Administers medications according to scope of practice.

19. Assumes charge responsibilities to assign work, receive calls and delegate incoming requests from other caregivers.

20. Maintains competencies through education, practice, and other means as assigned and as appropriate for age of patient.

21. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of the latest trends in the field of expertise.

22. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

23. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*." Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit of assignment including but not limited to population-specific competencies and participates in annual skill competency verification.

2. Knowledge of sleep physiology, testing and measurement.

3. Knowledge of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.

4. Knowledge of staffing workload and productivity measures.

5. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

6. Skill in sleep testing equipment operation.

7. Ability to generate accurate sleep study reports.

8. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

9. Ability to perform crucial conversations with desired outcomes.

10. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

11. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

12. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment related to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes.

13. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.

14. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments including diverse patient populations.

15. Ability to work with patients' growth and development needs.

16. Ability to work closely with physicians, personnel, patients and families.

17. Ability to be self-directed and organized.

18. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate of an American Medical Association (AMA) program of respiratory care required. Licensure to practice respiratory care in the State of Nebraska required. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential required. Must maintain an active RRT credential through the NBRC. Must provide evidence of licensure/certification for practice area as required by state or federal standards/regulations. Prior clinical experience preferred.

Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) or Sleep Disorder Specialist (SDS) required at hire or within 30 days of the completion of an approved pathway for the credentialing exam.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.