Facility: Paulding Hospital

Job Summary:

The Lead Technologist working under the general supervision of the Executive Director of Sleep Services and the direct supervision of the sleep center Area Manager/Center Manager, will be responsible for maintaining night shift work schedules, troubleshooting technical and patient problems, as well as gather and analyze performance improvements initiatives. The lead technologist will have oversight of the Wellstar Sleep Centers and is responsible for productivity, discipline, and assuring that personnel are kept informed and are performing sleep services according to policies and procedures of the department. Consults with the Executive Director of Sleep Services, Area Managers, and physicians to provide high quality and consistency among the employees. Utilizes appropriate communications and human relations skills in day-to-day operations. The lead technologist will also perform daytime sleep studies and home sleep apnea tests as needed.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up
- Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).
- Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
- Review the patients history and verify the medical order.
- Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.
- When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and obtain consent for the study.
- Explain the procedure and orient the patient for either in center or out of center sleep testing.
- Select appropriate equipment and calibrate for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
- Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
- Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desentization. Sleep Study Procedures
- Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.
- Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
- Follow lights out procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
- Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
- 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 positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
- Follow lights on procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
- Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
- Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
- Generate 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 neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
- Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for out of center sleep testing.
- Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures for portable monitoring devices.
- Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for OCST; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report. 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 CPR or BLS certification.
- Maintain certification in sleep technology.
- Acquire 10 Continuing Education Units (CEU) to maintain credential.
- Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
- Demonstrate customer service skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrate teamwork skills.
- Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.
- Demonstrate ability to follow direction.
- Respond to sleep patients procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
- Provide patient education utilizing sleep center specific protocols.
- Adhere to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.
- Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
- Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to staff.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
- Comply with professional standards of conduct.
- Assist the medical director and/or Director of Sleep Services in all aspects of sleep center operations. Lead Tech Duties
- Train new hires. Complete new hire competencies and check-offs.
- Participates in ongoing, midyear and annual evaluations. Completes annual competencies.
- Perform quality checks on sleep studies and provides feedback to technologists in a timely manner.
- Assist leaders with quality improvement initiatives.
- Takes call from techs on duty at other Sleep Centers across the system. Escalates issues to leadership as needed.
- Troubleshoots equipment on site and assists other locations remotely.
- Prints registration paperwork across the system as needed
- Monthly Meetings with Leadership
- Assist with Supply Inventory Managment
- Perform TJC Drills and work with night technologists on TJC compliance.
- Complete quarterly safety drills
- Works with day staff on patient handoffs and patient or technical issues

Required Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology.
Required or
Other Education Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency for all competencies required of a sleep technologist.
Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):
All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Registered Polysomnographer or Reg Sleep Technologist
• Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor