Sr. Polysomnography Technologist

The Registered Polysomnographic Technologist is responsible for conducting and monitoring sleep studies, set up of equipment and patients, training Polysomnographic Technologists, troubleshooting artifacts and scoring tests. Must be able to work independently.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

80%

Home Sleep Testing (HST)

• Prepare, inspect, and configure home sleep apnea testing equipment according to established departmental protocols.
• Educate patients and/or caregivers regarding proper application, use, care, and return of home sleep testing equipment.
• Demonstrate sensor and device placement and confirm patient or caregiver understanding of testing instructions.
• Track distribution and return of testing equipment.
• Download and review recorded data to determine technical adequacy and completeness in accordance with established protocols.
• Identify technically inadequate studies and communicate findings to the appropriate provider, manager, or designated clinical team member for determination of next steps.
• Clean, disinfect, maintain, and prepare reusable sleep testing equipment according to infection prevention and manufacturer requirements.

PAP Education and Support

• Provide patient and caregiver education regarding prescribed PAP therapy under established departmental protocols and the direction of the treating provider, Sleep Center Manager, and/or Medical Director.
• Reinforce provider-directed education regarding PAP use, equipment care, adherence, and the importance of continued prescribed therapy.
• Review basic equipment operation and assist patients with proper application and use of prescribed PAP equipment.
• Identify patient-reported barriers, equipment concerns, or adherence issues and communicate them to the treating provider or appropriate clinical team member.
• Document education provided and patient response according to departmental requirements.
• Refer questions involving changes in pressure, treatment modality, prescription, or medical management to the treating provider.

Mask Fitting

• Assist patients with proper application, positioning, and adjustment of PAP interfaces.
• Evaluate mask fit and identify common problems such as leakage, discomfort, or improper placement.
• Provide education regarding appropriate use and care of the interface and related equipment.
• Reinforce the prescribed treatment plan and communicate unresolved mask, equipment, or therapy concerns to the treating provider or appropriate clinical team member.
• Perform mask fitting activities within established protocols and without independently changing prescribed PAP settings or treatment.

Sleep Study Scoring and Data Analysis

• Review patient clinical information, relevant history, physician orders, and technical documentation necessary for accurate analysis of sleep studies.
• Score sleep stages, respiratory events, arousals, limb movements, cardiac events, and other applicable physiologic parameters according to current departmental and professional scoring standards.
• Review sleep study data for technical quality and identify artifacts or incomplete data.
• Generate preliminary technical reports and summaries from sleep study data for physician interpretation.
• Maintain accurate scoring, documentation, and sleep study records.
• Communicate significant technical findings or concerns to the interpreting physician, Medical Director, manager, or appropriate clinical team member.

Enter charges for clinical services performed according to departmental procedures.

5%

MSLT and MWT Testing

• Perform Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) and Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT) according to established departmental protocols and applicable sleep testing standards.
• Review physician orders and relevant clinical information before testing.
• Prepare the patient and equipment, apply appropriate sensors, verify signal quality, and maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Monitor physiologic signals throughout testing and identify artifacts, technical problems, and clinically significant events.
• Follow established escalation procedures when abnormal or urgent physiologic events are observed.

Complex Sleep and Ventilatory Support

• Provide sleep technology support for adult patients with complex medical and sleep-related conditions within the technologist's training and scope of practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sleep-related considerations associated with respiratory, neuromuscular, ventilatory, and other complex conditions encountered in the Sleep Center.
• Support sleep testing and patient education for patients using home ventilation, tracheostomy-related equipment, or other respiratory support when appropriate to the technologist's training, established protocols, and provider orders.
• Collaborate with respiratory therapy, nursing, providers, and other clinical disciplines when patient needs extend beyond the scope of polysomnographic technology.

10%

• Participates in quality assurance and improvement activities related to sleep testing, scoring, PAP services, patient education, and clinical workflows.
• Supports patient safety initiatives and follows established safety, infection prevention, and emergency response procedures.
• Maintains sleep testing equipment and supplies and ensures equipment is available and ready for patient care.
• Monitors inventory and initiates ordering or replenishment of clinical and sleep testing supplies according to departmental procedures.
• Performs basic troubleshooting of sleep testing equipment, software, applications, and related technology; escalates unresolved issues to the appropriate support resource.
• Identifies and communicates equipment, workflow, testing, and patient safety concerns.
• Supports Sleep Center operational and quality meetings, including development of meeting agendas, identification of items requiring team discussion, and follow-up on assigned action items.
• Supports TNB activities and related workflow, documentation, coordination, and follow-up as assigned.
• Supports development and maintenance of technical workflows, procedures, documentation standards, and operational processes.
• Participates in staff education, training, competency activities, and technical support within demonstrated areas of expertise.

• Maintains required professional credentials, competencies, continuing education, and BLS certification.

5%

• Other duties assigned

100%

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum one (1) year of recent experience in a sleep lab or providing polysomnographic/sleep technology services.
• Minimum one (1) year of recent experience with PAP mask fitting and patient education.
• Strong computer skills and experience using clinical applications and sleep-related software.
• Good communication and patient education skills.
• Ability to work independently and follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize and escalate clinical or technical concerns as appropriate.
• Ability to work at different UCSF locations based on operational needs.
• Ability to meet departmental competency requirements for assigned sleep procedures.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Current California license/authorization required to practice as a Sleep Technologist.

Must possess and maintain at least one of the following credentials:

• Registered Sleep Technologist (RST)
• Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT)
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Minimum of one (1) year of recent experience working in an ambulatory or outpatient clinical setting.
• Knowledge of healthcare insurance authorization processes, including basic understanding of coverage requirements and authorization workflows.
• Experience working with electronic health records and clinical scheduling or sleep medicine applications.
• Experience supporting patients with PAP therapy, home sleep testing, and sleep-related equipment in an ambulatory setting.