Job Information
Excela Health LEAD REGISTERED POLYSOMONOGRAPHER in Butler, Pennsylvania
Description
Job Summary/Overall Objectives
The Lead Polysomnographic technician is responsible for assisting with the operations of the Sleep Center. These duties may encompass obtaining the required insurance authorizations for testing, helping to resolve billing issues, assisting with the scheduling of staff, scoring of studies, overseeing the process of electronic communication of studies, scheduling of sleep tests, helping to train clinical staff and any other duties deemed necessary by the Director to ensure operations of the sleep lab.
Essential Job Functions
Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Performs and / or assists with patient care needs as directed.
Assists patients with activities of daily living if needed.
Collects, documents, and reports ongoing patient care data as directed.
Interacts with assigned patients, makes pertinent observations of patient's behaviors, reports, and records names.
Remains with and observes assigned patients in a one-to-one situation if necessary.
Demonstrates good interview techniques with phone contacts/patient family/significant others and documents accordingly.
Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
Reports information regarding the patient's concerns.
Plans and initiates patient's activities.
Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of Polysomnographer.
Demonstrates the ability to solve problems and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
Demonstrates knowledge of chain of command, refers patient’s questions/requests information to appropriate supervisor.
Effectively functions as a resource person.
Acts as a patient advocate.
Assists in the department's compliance with the state, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
Assists in preparation for inspection and surveys. Participates in preparation for inspections, surveys and audits. Participates in ongoing unit performance improvement activities.
Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections.
Helps to ensure sufficient and proper supplies are maintained in an assigned area.
Monitors sterile supplies for expiration dates and replaces them as needed.
Distributes and maintains a sufficient supply of linens in assigned patient care areas.
Replenishes daily/weekly unit stock from appropriate departments.
Communicates effectively with patients/peers/families/treatment team.
Returns patient/family phone calls and documents.
Uses computer as required for email, scheduling, authorizations, insurance tracking, etc.
Provides and participates in educational activities.
Provides and documents patient/family education.
Participates in staff education, both as participant and presenter.
Makes recommendations for staff development.
Serves on hospital committees and participates in other related projects as directed.
Gather and analyze patient information.
Collect, analyze, and integrate the patient information to identify and meet the patient specific needs (physical/mental limitations) and to determine appropriate testing parameters.
Complete and verify required documentation.
Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
Prepare equipment and patience for testing.
Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to ensure proper function.
Apply electrodes and sensors per manufacturer’s recommendations.
Identify patient by both name and date of birth.
Prior to PAP titration testing perform appropriate positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
Perform polysomnographic test procedures as needed
Follow approved protocols such as nocturnal seizure Studies, parasomnia Studies, PAP and/or oxygen titration Studies, Maintenance of Wakefulness test (MWT), and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to ensure adequate collection of data.
Follow "lights out" procedure to establish and document baseline values (patient position, SaO2, HR, initial PAP pressure)
Ensure artifact free polysomnographic data collection. Report and correct abnormalities.
Document routine clinical observations such as sleep stages, clinical events, changes in procedure, or other significant events that can impact scoring and interpretation.
Assist with all interventions to ensure patient safety and proper care i.e., continuous, and bi-level positive airway pressure and oxygen administration.
Follow "lights on" procedure to verify the integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process.
Oversees and performs procedures and therapeutic interventions.
Performs polysomnographic test scoring
Scoring shall accurately depict sleep/wake stages by applying guidelines utilizing real time scoring method. All respiratory, cardiac, and other clinical events such as limb movement and arousals are to be included in the scoring.
Generates an accurate report depicting events and data along with pertinent technical notes.
Deleted this “Maintains operational oversight of Center logistics”
Monitors sleep technicians and how they perform their job duties. Manage upwards ensuring Director/Manager is aware of any abnormalities that could negatively impact operations.
Help to ensure compliance of Center with all regulatory agencies.
Ensure equipment is properly cleaned and maintained at all sites. Ensure staff adhere to accepted standards and departmental directives as to the care and maintenance of sleep center equipment.
Maintain an accurate inventory of all equipment.
Possess effective written and verbal communication skills.
Performs scheduling of sleep testing and coordinates with patient needs.
Responsible for the logistics involved with sending sleep tests to scoring physicians as directed and coordinating the send-out of the completed studies.
Completes all duties assigned by the Director/Manager to assist with operations of the Center. These may include payroll, various IT project requests, performance improvement initiatives, staff education, insurance authorizations, billing, and registration support to name a few.
Assists with the scheduling of staff to ensure appropriate coverage at all locations.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications/Experience
High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
Successful completion of an American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accredited polysomnography course.
Two (2) years of experience performing sleep testing in a sleep lab
Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office)
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
Experience in Healthcare setting.
Registered respiratory therapist (RRT) or Certified respiratory therapist (CRT). / Previous experience supervising staff in a healthcare environment
License, Certification & Clearances
Licensed to practice as a Polysomnographic Technologist from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT) or have RRT / CRT – SDS credential.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Work Environment
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Extreme Heat
x
Extreme Cold
x
Heights
x
Confined Spaces
x
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
x
Mechanical Hazards
x
Use of Vibrating Tools
x
Operates Vehicle
x
Operates Heavy Equipment
x
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
x
Rotates All Shifts
x
8 Hours Shifts
x
10-12 Hours Shifts
x
On-Call
x
Overtime (+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)
x
Travel Between Sites
x
Direct Patient Care
x
Respirator Protective Equipment
x
Eye Protection
x
Head Protection (hard hat)
x
Hearing Protection
x
Hand Protection
x
Feet, Toe Protection
x
Body Protection
x
Latex Exposure
x
Solvent Exposure
x
Paint (direct use) Exposure
x
Dust (sanding) Exposure
x
Ethylene Oxide Exposure
x
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
x
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
x
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
x
Mist Exposure
x
Wax Stripper (direct use)
x
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
x
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
x
Laser Exposure
x
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Bending (Stooping)
X
Sitting
X
Walking
X
Climbing Stairs
x
Climbing Ladders
x
Standing
X
Kneeling
X
Squatting (Crouching)
X
Twisting/Turning
X
Keyboard/Computer Operation
X
Gross Grasp
X
Fine Finger Manipulation
X
Hand/Arm Coordination
X
Pushing/Pulling (lbs. of force)
X
Carry
X
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients
x
Seeing Near w/Acuity
X
Feeling (Sensation)
X
Color Vision
X
Hearing Clearly
X
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead
X
Reaching Above Shoulder Level
X
Reaching Forward
X
Lifting Floor to Knuckle
10-20
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle
10-20
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
10-20
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
10-20
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
