Polysomnographic Technologist, RRT - New Haven - Yale-New Haven Health

Description

Job Description:

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the supervisor, prepares the patient, conducts overnight physiologic studies, polysomnograms (PSG), and collects pertinent information to ensure proper interpretation by the Physician/Polysomnographer in accordance with established policies and procedures as assigned.
• Formats optical disks for data acquisition, retrieves and archives data into the computer system, anticipating and recognizing computer hard and optical disk data space limitations, transfers and archives data to prevent data loss during the overnight study.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patient's medical problems and physiological events, especially respiratory problems, seizures or cardiac dysrhythmias, including notifying the Medical Director, activating emergency button for urgent help, and administering supplemental oxygen or basic life support until help arrives.
• Communicates and works in partnership with the staff, patients, families, and other disciplines, utilizing a professional manner, dialogues and resolves patient care issues or conflicts.
• Maintains vigilance in a non-stimulating environment and knows when to consult the nurse/physician regarding the patient's status, with attention to detail critical since the quality of data from the PSG is solely the responsibility of the technologist.
• The majority of work is done overnight, with the ability to maintain wakefulness essential, reviewing existing information in the patient record, examining orders and protocols for study, recognizing sleep/wake or respiratory complaints, sleep patterns, and potential need for treatment intervention during testing, collecting pertinent patient information to insure proper interpretation by the physician, and communicating with ordering physician or center/lab director to clarify unclear or inappropriate orders and communicates information about the patient's status.

Qualifications:

High school graduate, with previous education in allied health or life science helpful in assimilating normal and abnormal physiology, as well as working with sophisticated equipment used during the polysomnogram. Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), Register Sleep Technologist (RST) or NBRC Sleep Disorder Specialist (SDS) or Registered Respiratory Therapist preferred.

Three (3) years in Health Care related experience, with minimum credential as a Registered Polysomnography Technologist (NBRC,BRPT, or AASM), Registered Respiratory Therapist, RN, or LPN required, with preference given to Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (BRPT), Register Sleep Technologist (AASM) or Sleep Disorder Specialist (NBRC) or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Ability to understand normal cardiorespiratory, neurologic, and sleep/wake physiology, with flexibility in scheduling, including overnight and flexible shifts.

Full time position, with additional training provided for those not registered in sleep by the BRPT, NBRC or AASM within 7 months of hire, with passing the registry exam for sleep technologists completed within 13 months of hire.