Polysom Technologist at Ellis Medicine – Schenectady, New York

A Polysomnographic Technologist performs comprehensive polysomnographic testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the general oversight of the clinical director (MD) or designee as well as may need to work under the supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist/RPSGT or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist. This may involve polysomnographic testing, diagnostic and therapeutic services, patient care and education.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT(S):

• Successful completion of a polysomnography education program, of no less than two years duration, associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility.

or successful completion of the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential and be certified under grandparent provision.

• Hold a State license/certificate as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.
• Candidates who hold a Limited Permit and have met all requirements for eligibility as a Polysomnographic Technologist except that related to the credential exam may also be considered but will only be permitted to practice under the direct supervision of a Technologist or RRT/Technologist. These candidates will be required to acquire the RPSGT credential within their first year of Ellis employment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

• Gather and analyze patient information
  • Review history, physical information, medications, procedure request, and study protocol.
  • Complete and verify documentation.
  • Explain the procedure and orient the patient to the Sleep Disorders Center.
  • Verify medical order and protocol.
  • Contact MD to clarify and administer orders.
  • Document verbal orders.
• Perform testing preparation procedures
  • Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
  • Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
  • Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments, if necessary
  • Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
  • Provide testing and sleep disorders education, administer oxygen as needed.
• Polysomnographic Procedures
  • Follow procedural protocols to ensure collection of appropriate data.
  • Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.)
  • Perform polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
  • Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, 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 continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.) where license permits.
  • Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)
  • 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.
• Polysomnographic Record Scoring
  • Assist with scoring sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
  • Assist with scoring clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) with center specific protocols.
  • Assist with the generation of accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Service Management and Professional Issues
  • Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
  • Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
  • Maintain current BCLS certification.
  • Respond to study participant’s procedural-related inquires by providing appropriate information.
  • Maintain CEC’s.

Ellis Medicine is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, prior arrest, or conviction record, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, reproductive health decisions, or domestic violence victim status.

Salary Range: $23.40-$33.93 /hour Pay is based on experience, skills, and education. Exempt positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be paid within the base salary equivalent of the stated hourly rates. The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on location.