Polysomnographer I

Are you looking to make a difference by improving the health of our patients?  Here you will find an innovative culture that is patient-focused and dedicated to making a difference.  We are committed to helping the population we serve, and our communities, achieve optimum health and enjoy the best quality of life possible. 

The Polysomnographer I will perform a variety of sleep studies to diagnose the type and extent of disorders and associated interventions under the general supervision of the manager/director of Respiratory Care Services. The Polysomnographer I works closely with patients and must have excellent interpersonal skills. They will review patient medical history and document their sleep issues and keep records of patient progress. They will explain to patients the procedures that will be performed and prepare them for the procedures. They will attach equipment and make sure the patient is comfortable before sleeping. They will keep regular watch on the effectiveness of the equipment during a study to make sure everything is working properly. They will educate patient on proper care of equipment and the importance of managing their sleep disorder. They will keep thorough documentation prior, during, and after sleep studies.

• Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order
• Verify identification, collect documents, and obtain consent for study when patient arrives
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient
• Provide age-appropriate education
• Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make necessary adjustments
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact free. Identify, correct, and document artifact
• Document routine observations, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.)
• Follow “light on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process
• Assist with scoring sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines
• Assist with scoring clinical events utilizing AASM standards
• Assist with generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of the patient population, as required
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform HSAT equipment preparation and data download
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for HSAT devices
• Assist with scoring HSAT recordings according to AASM scoring parameters; identify artifact, inadequate signals, and study failures, and generate an accurate report

Education:

• 2 Year/Associate Degree, preferred
• Graduate of Respiratory Care Program, Polysomnography Program or Nursing Program, required

Experience:

• Minimum 1-year Respiratory Therapist, Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or Registered Nurse, required
• Minimum 1-year experience performing all modalities of sleep studies
• • A new graduate of Respiratory Therapy program or Polysomnographic Technologist program, provided they are accepted in New York State, preferred

Licensure/Certifications:

• NYS Respiratory Therapist or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, or Registered Nurse, required
• BLS Certification within 6 months of hire date, required
• ALS Certification, preferred
• Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) Must be able to obtain RPSGT within 3 years of CPSGT. (Certification with the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (CPSGT and RPSGT)) or Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) (National Board for Respiratory Care (SDS)), required

Skills:

• Reading/Writing/Comprehension
• Computer Skills
• Interacting with People

Physical Requirements:

• Light Work - Exerting up to 20 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of forces greater than that of sedentary work and if the worker sits most of the time, the job is considered light work
• Occasional balancing, crouching, grasping, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, standing, walking
• Frequent typing/clerical/dexterity, hearing, repetitive motion, talking, visual acuity (color, depth, perception)
• Constant seeing/monitor/computer use, fit testing

Travel:

• Occasional Travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis

Bassett Healthcare Network’s commitment to our employees includes benefit programs carefully designed with the needs and values of all our employees in mind. Many of the benefits we offer are paid fully or in large part by Bassett. Our generous benefits offerings include:  

• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability protection
• Retirement benefits including an employer match 
• And more!

Specific benefit offerings may vary by location and/or position.