Polysomnographic Technologist

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, operates all equipment used in the sleep laboratory as well as EEG equipment. Performs a variety of technical duties to produce and score sleep studies, as well as technical duties to measure impulse frequencies and differences in electrical potential between various areas of the brain on patients in order to obtain data for use by physician in the diagnosis of brain disorders.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Applies electrodes and other physiological monitoring devices to the patient.
• Follow standard infection control procedures.
• Inspects and monitors polygraphs, respiratory recording systems and electrodes through the night.
• Observes, monitors and evaluates patient condition during and after procedures.
• Prepares patients for test and explains test procedures.
• Schedules patients for test procedures.
• Administers sleep questionnaires to the patient at the beginning and end of the study.
• Compiles statistics.
• Determines heart rate and respiratory rate ranges for waking and sleeping stages.
• Identifies and quantifies abnormalities in cardiac activity and respiration.
• Interviews patients and reviews medical records to obtain patient history.
• Notes and reduces or eliminates from consideration all artifacts to obtain an accurate representation of physiological activity during sleep.
• Produces diagnostically acceptable PSGs (Polysomnography) /MSLTs (Multiple Sleep Latency Test).
• Records and charts patient data.
• Records brain activity, eye and muscle movements, cardiac and respiratory activity and core body temperature.
• Score polysomnograms for sleep stages using standardized criteria and computes established parameters to include sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and percentage of the recording to include artifacts, possible abnormalities, and behavioral observations of the patient.
• Writes and file reports.
• Cleans and stocks machines.
• Maintains inventory and ordering of supplies.
• Maintains equipment in good working order.
• Troubleshoots equipment and performs minor maintenance.
• Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.
• Attends conferences, meetings and in-service training sessions.
• Coordinates department activities with other departments.
• Maintains proficiency in clinical skills.