A sleep trainee develops competency in and performs basic sleep testing procedures and associated interventions. The sleep trainee works under direct supervision of a credentialed sleep technician or a sleep technologist. Answers directly to the Sleep Lab Supervisor or department director.

A sleep trainee with a professional credential will be expected to maintain said credential current and in good standing with the credentialing agency. Trainee will be expected to use credential within the scope of practice of that credential. They also develop competency in and performs basic sleep testing procedures and associated interventions. The sleep trainee works under direct supervision of a credentialed sleep technician or a sleep technologist. This trainee will be required to take verbal orders as needed and to assist with pre-authorizations required to perform sleep procedures. Answers directly to the Sleep Lab Supervisor or department director.

All trainees will develop an understanding of billing and diagnosis codes for all sleep procedures.

Sleep Study Preparation and Set-up

• Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order.
• Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.
• When patient arrives, verify identification, collect documents and confirm 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.

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.
• Assist with 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, and check for completeness, etc.).
• Demonstrate proficiency in recognizing sleep vs wake and identify clinical events while monitoring sleep study patients.
• 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 ability to identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures in portable monitoring recordings.

Service Management and Professional Issues

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Assist with routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Maintain current CPR or BLS certification.
• Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Must be fluent in English.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrate customer service skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and ability to follow directions.
• Demonstrate teamwork skills.
• Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.
• Adhere to sleep center policies related to quality assurance.
• Must know and follow NARMC and department-specific policies and procedures.

Quality Improvement / Customer Service

• Demonstrates commitment to the mission, vision and values of the organization.
• Knows the Quality Plan for the organization and improvement Process both on organizational and departmental levels.
• Has a customer focus with goal of customer satisfaction.
• Know customers. Seeks to identify the needs and expectations of the customers.
• Actively improves processes to meet the needs and expectations of the customers.
• Attends a minimal of 8 department staff meetings and department quality improvement meetings per year.

Attendance and Reliability:

• Unsatisfactory attendance will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and discharge, as well as have an adverse effect on annual evaluations.
• They must always demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity and fosters trust in the profession.
• They must always respect the patient’s right to confidentiality and privacy.
• Expectation of 75% or greater of all lab educational opportunities and monthly departmental meetings

Safety and Training:

• Participate in orientation, department meetings, safety programs, infection control, mandatory in service programs, and comply with departmental safety standards.
• Observe Universal Precautions.
• Responsible for keeping up with latest technology, equipment and masks, guidelines and compliancy.

Physical Requirements:

• Bending and stooping are required daily by the nature of the job.
• Walking and standing are required for much of the scheduled shift.
• There are no heavy lifting requirements; however technician must be able to lift equipment that weighs less than 35 pounds and transfer patients from wheelchair to stretcher.
• See attached sheet for more complete Physical Requirements for this position.

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

OR

Current enrollment in an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology.

A-Step Module education completion or in-progress

Trainee is expected to complete training program and educational requirements according to program schedule.

Trainee is expected to sit for and obtain certification upon completion of this trainee program.