Position Summary: A Polysomnographic Trainee develops competency in and performs the basics of polysomnographic testing and associated interventions under the direct supervision of a Polysomnographic Technologist and/or under the general supervision of a Registered Polygsomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee.

Domains of Practice

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 center.

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.

Polysomnographic Procedures

• Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT),

Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] 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.).

• 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 neonatal, pediatric,

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 CPR or BCLS certification.
• Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrate ability to follow direction
• Respond to study participants’ procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or GED plus 6 months of direct patient care experience or 1 year of post-secondary education.

                             OR

Current enrollment in an accredited educational program leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography.

*****Polysomnogrpahic Trainee’s must complete 10 continuing education credits each calendar year. Continuing education credits must be AAST, BRPT, or AASM approved.*****

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;    reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

            The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee may also be exposed to infectious agents including blood-borne pathogens, and substances involved in polysomnography. See Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for substance details.