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At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. About Duke University Hospital Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Location: Sleep Disorder Center, Durham, North Carolina
General Summary
Provide clinical assessment, physiological monitoring and testing to assist with the diagnosis, management, and prevention of sleep-related disorders, using various diagnostic and therapeutic tools and providing care to patients of all ages. These tools include but are not limited to polysomnography; scoring of clinical events according to professional and laboratory guidelines (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.); generating accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data; titrating positive airway pressure devices; oximetry; capnography; actigraphy; nocturnal oxygen; screening devices; and questionnaires.
Work Performed
Level 1
Verify the medical order and protocol.
Explain the procedure and orient the patient to the sleep center.
Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning.
Perform routine PAP mask fitting.
Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
Assist with following "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
Assist and observe polysomnography data acquisition.
Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnography results.
Assist with appropriate interventions, including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention (e.g., BPAP, $\text{O}_2$ administration).
Assist with following "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g., learn to perform the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).
Perform routine polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free.
Identify and report signal abnormalities.
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.
Level 2
Perform all duties of Level 1.
Review history, physical information, medications, procedure request, and study protocol.
Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
Perform "lights out" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
Independently perform routine and CPAP/split polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
Implement appropriate interventions, including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention (e.g., BPAP, $\text{O}_2$ administration).
Perform "lights on" procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g., learn to perform the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.).
Level 3
Perform all duties of Levels 1 and 2.
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) to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.
Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
Perform routine and complex PAP mask fitting.
Perform routine and complex PAP/split/BPAP/ASV polysomnography data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting.
Follow procedural protocols (such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration, etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data.
Oversee and perform difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions.
Perform needed maintenance on equipment to include communication of problems to co-workers, appropriate vendor, or the supervisor.
Troubleshoot equipment and lab issues independently; considered an equipment super user.
Demonstrate ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
Develop clinical standards and protocols.
Generate requisitions for patient studies PRN/check in patients.
Assign nightly workload to co-workers.
Process daily charges.
Perform the minimum number of hours designated a year as charge tech.
Level Characteristics
Level 1
A Polysomnography Technician develops competency in and performs the basics of polysomnography testing and associated interventions under direct supervision of a Polysomnography Technologist 2 or a Polysomnography Technologist 3. Requires 10 hours of CEUs and selects 1 choice from a list of options for professional growth (e.g., member of national organization, committee work). Must be enrolled in AASM A-Step online education modules.
Level 2
A Polysomnography Technologist 2 performs comprehensive polysomnography testing and analysis, and associated interventions under the general supervision of a Polysomnography Technologist (RPSGT) 3 and/or the clinical director (MD, PhD, DO) or designee. A Polysomnography Technologist 2 can provide supervision of a Polysomnography Technician. Requires 12 hours of CE (10 must be CEUs) and selects 3 choices from a list of options for professional growth.
Level 3
A Polysomnography Technologist 3 works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D., D.O., or PhD) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services, or patient care and education. A Polysomnography Technologist 3 can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnography Technologist 2 and may provide supervision of other staff. Requires 16 hours of CE (10 must be CEUs) and selects 5 choices from a list of options for professional growth.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Level I: High school diploma or GED or 1 year of post-secondary education, or current enrollment in an accredited educational program leading to an Associate's Degree in a health-related field with an emphasis in polysomnography or respiratory therapy.
Level 2: Associate's Degree in a health-related field preferred, or successful completion of a polysomnography, or respiratory therapy program of no less than one year in duration, associated with a state license and/or nationally accredited educational facility.
Level 3: Associate's Degree in a health-related field preferred in polysomnography or respiratory therapy, or successful completion of a polysomnography program, of no less than one year in duration, associated with a state license and/or nationally accredited educational facility.
Experience
Level 1: With an Associate's Degree in a health-related field, no experience required; otherwise 6 months of direct patient care experience.
Level 2: 18 months experience in polysomnography testing preferred, or documented proficiency in all required competencies as a Polysomnography Technician. If no Associate's degree in a health-related field, must have an additional two years experience in direct patient care.
Level 3: 4 years experience in Polysomnography Technology required.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
Level 1: Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Care Practitioner (CRT or RRT) license required. Maintain current BLS certification.
Level 2: Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Therapist with the sleep disorders specialist certification (either CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) required. Maintain current BLS certification.
Level 3: Registered Polysomnography Technologists (RPSGT) or Respiratory Therapists with the sleep disorders specialist certification (either CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) required. Maintain current BLS certification.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
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Duke Clinical Research Institute
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