Assistant Sleep Physiologist

Job overview

Are you passionate about patient care? Do you work well in a fast paced environment? If you've got what it takes to support our mission in delivering the best patient care in sleep medicine then we've got the opportunity for you!

The role will include providing essential administrative and technical support to the sleep team which includes: Sleep consultants, the Consultant Physiologist , the Senior Sleep Physiologists  and Sleep Physiologists.

The post holder will be required to interact in a professional capacity with patients and other health care professionals, responding to questions and queries about Home Sleep Study (HSS) equipment and services.

In addition the post holder will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies as an Assistant Sleep Technician within a specific clinical setting.

Full training and support will be provided including induction time and a comprehensive competency package. The post holder will be expected to be signed off on all core competencies within 4 weeks of starting new role.

Please be aware that the successful candidate will be required to work some late shifts will be necessary as part of the role due to the need to set up patients for overnight PSG testing - this takes place once per week, though on occasion this may be completed twice in a week.

Please ensure you have the required qualifications as per the person specification as you will be required to produce evidence of these if successful.

Main duties of the job

• Our Commitment is to support your journey to proficiency in administering HSS Equipment (WatchPAT/Actigraphy/Oximetry)  and wiring up overnight Polysomnography (PSG)  and Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) patients as per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) guidelines
• You will be responsible for the HSS/PSG/MSLT equipment and will be required to clean and maintain the equipment as per departmental guidelines
• You will be working closely with patients and their relatives on a day to day basis, therefore effective communication and interpersonal skills are crucial to this role.
• You will become part of a talented, experienced and passionate team of people, committed to providing high quality care and treatment to our patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 To assist the MDT with outpatient clinics within the department.  Lead the Home Sleep Study patient set up services. This includes preparing patient paperwork, completing patient observations (Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Oxygen Saturations and Neck Circumference) prior to setting the patient up, providing information with reference to their next appointment.  Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills in relation to the setting up of the HSS (WatchPAT and other diagnostic tools).  Download HSS, checking them for accuracy (AASM/ESRS guidelines) in a timely manner, ensuring that the equipment is returned and cleaned as per departmental guidelines and changing faulty consumables (such as batteries and finger probes) as required.  Initiates Actigraphy studies as prescribed. Ensuring the patient understands how to use the device, answering questions and providing the patient with relevant documentation such as overnight diaries and questionnaires.  Clean the Actigraphy devices as per departmental guidelines after patient use. Download patient data and format the appropriate report for the Consultants review.  Documents HSS patient details and equipment as per department guidelines, ensuring preservation of patient studies and addressing any equipment issues.  Set up patients for overnight PSG using the 10:20 system as per AASM guidelines. Complete patient Bio - Calibrations prior to patient’s PSG/MSLT.  Responsible for maintenance, cleaning, and sterilising EEG electrodes and the PSG/MSLT equipment for overnight and daytime tests.  Utilises effective communications techniques in contacting patients prior to follow-up appointments, confirming attendance.

Please see job description/person specification for further details on the role