Polysomnographic Technologist

The Stollery Children’s Hospital is the primary acute care center for infants and children in the Edmonton Area, and is Western Canada’s referral center for specialized services for pediatric and neonatal patients. The sleep lab provides diagnostic testing for children with suspected sleep disorders, and non-invasive ventilation titration. This includes polysomnography, at-home overnight oximetry, and actigraphy. The Polysomnographic Technologist (PSGT) is responsible for performing and scoring polysomnographic (PSG) sleep studies, for both diagnostics and treatment, on children in an out-patient environment, as well as scoring and preparation of PSGs for review and interpretation by a physician, if applicable. Key responsibilities include attaching electrodes and ancillary equipment to the patient for PSG testing, communicating with patient and family members, monitoring children throughout sleep studies, conducting equipment and biological calibrations, maintaining and troubleshooting sleep study equipment, and applying/titrating non-invasive ventilation during PSG as specified in orders and sleep lab guidelines. Analysis and scoring of sleep studies may be assigned after adequate experience in the sleep lab to PSGTs who have are working towards, or have active registration with the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). The PSGT will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary Sleep Lab, Sleep Medicine program, and Non-invasive ventilation program teams to ensure provision of high quality patient and family centered care. The posted schedule for this position will include a permanent night shift rotation. Schedule adjustments may be required to facilitate daytime polysomnography shifts, as required, upon proven polysomnography scoring proficiency, which includes obtaining the Registered PSGT credential through the BRPT.

As a Polysomnographic Technologist, you will perform polysomnographic sleep studies with pediatric and/or adult clients/patients who are experiencing a variety of sleep disorders. You will conduct transcutaneous monitoring (arterial blood gases) and other therapeutic interventions. You will also educate clients/patients and family on sleep disorders and the use, cleaning, and maintenance of sleep related equipment and coordinate funding options for patients and families referring them to the appropriate resources. You will calibrate a variety of equipment such as oximeters, multi-channel recorders, electro and spectrographic recorder; provide ongoing technical support for equipment including phone consultations and troubleshoot specialized equipment such as CPAP and BiPAP.

Active or eligible for registration with the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT); or with the applicable Alberta regulatory college for the professions of, but not limited to Respiratory Therapist, Electroneurophysiology Technologist, Electroencephalography Technologist; Registered Nurse; or Licensed Practical Nurse.

Must be willing and eligible to write the RPSGT registration exam with BRPT within 1 year of start date. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support- Healthcare Provider (BCLS-HCP). Excellent patient assessment and communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment. Ability to work independently, with high attention to detail. Proven ability to interact positively with staff, physicians, families and patients. Excellent organization, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Able to prioritize and complete assigned tasks. Highly motivated with a positive attitude.

Active RPSGT certification with the BRPT. BRPT pediatric sleep certificate. BRPT Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH). American Board of Sleep Medicine Registered Sleep Technologist Certification (ABSM RST). Recent experience with polysomnography, pediatrics, NIV mask fitting, and in a hospital based sleep lab. Current knowledge of AASM Guidelines. Graduate from a recognized School of Respiratory Therapy, with active CARTA registration is an asset.