Sleep study technicians generally need training in CPR.
A polysomnography technologist works with people who have known or suspected sleep disorders. Primarily, this type of technician helps organize sleep studies, including preparing a patient for the study and controlling diagnostic machinery during the test. These professionals are also responsible for the well-being of their patients throughout the study.
A polysomnography technologist works with people who have a diagnosed or suspected sleep disorder.
Polysomnography is usually the main diagnostic tool of any sleep study. The results of this type of study typically consist of a series of readings from more than 20 electrodes placed on the patient’s scalp, face, and extremities. Each electrode is responsible for identifying the activity in the area of the brain or body to which it is attached while the patient sleeps. It is then the responsibility of the polysomnography technician to evaluate the results to find irregular readings that may point to the cause of the patient’s sleep problems.
Bedside attitude is an important skill for medical professionals.
Often, however, a polysomnography technician’s work begins before the first electrode is placed. Although painless, the thought of trying to sleep in an unfamiliar place while tethered to a bundle of wires can be disconcerting for many patients. Often the task of reassuring the patient falls on the technician’s shoulders. A comforting tone and bedside manners are imperative.
Sleep studies are often used to diagnose sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
In addition to monitoring the equipment, a polysomnography technician also manages patient care during the sleep study. It is not uncommon for a sleep study to uncover serious medical conditions. Irregular heartbeats and stopped breathing, for example, are complications of certain sleep disorders that need to be treated immediately. Rarely, patients experience cardiac arrest during the course of a sleep study. As such, sleep study technicians often need to be certified in CPR.
The responsibilities of the polysomnography technologist do not end after the sleep study is over. A technician typically acts as a liaison between the patient and their GP. The technician is also often instrumental in developing a treatment plan, including demonstrating prescribed equipment and providing patient educational materials.
Since there are few educational programs that exclusively teach polysomnography, technicians are often graduates of electroneurodiagnostic, nursing, or respiratory therapy programs. Additional on-the-job training and continuing education is often required to become certified as a polysomnography technician. Since 2011, accreditation in the United States has been available through the American Association of Sleep Technologists and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.