RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC
Position summary
Under the general supervision of the Manager of the Technical Platforms of the Center for Innovative Medicine (CIM), the incumbent conducts 2-3 polysomnographic recordings on research subjects per night in accordance with the requirements of research protocols. This may include standardized and specialized diagnostic recordings and administration of therapy including positive pressure therapy as specified by research protocols. Calibrates, troubleshoots and maintains equipment, performs recording and subsequent data analysis and processing. This position may include breathing tests, stress tests, and assistance during bronchoscopy procedures or any other related tasks assigned by the supervisor.
General Duties
Overnight Testing Procedures
- Reviews existing information in patient documentation.
- Examines orders and protocols for study.
- Interviews patient to assess current health status, medications, recent caffeine or alcohol ingestion, current sleep pattern, and need for treatment intervention during testing (e.g. insulin).
- Communicates with Principal investigator or designated personnel to verify unclear orders and communicate information about the patient's status.
- Explains test procedure to patient.
- Measures patient's weight and height.
- Enters patient's demographics in recording computer and database.
- Sets-up and calibrates monitoring equipment.
- Measures and applies appropriate EEG (electro-encephalography) electrodes using International 10-20 system.
- Applies appropriate EKG (heart), EMG (muscle), and EOG (eye movement) monitoring electrodes.
- Places and securely attaches recording transducers and sensors to measure airflow, respiratory effort, oximetry, and body position.
- Installs esophageal balloon and CO2 monitor when indicated.
- Installs other specialized recording equipment as specified by research protocol.
- Performs physiological calibrations, verifies patient maneuvers, and records.
- Carries out data acquisition on the computer with lab analysis software.
- Enters pertinent observations during the study e.g. changes in body position, level of therapeutic intervention, etc.
- Recognizes and records clinical and physiological events.
- Recognizes and corrects artifacts.
- Identifies and troubleshoots recording and instrumentation malfunctions.
- Provides maximum patient comfort to obtain required sleep data.
- Monitors and changes patient's body position as needed.
- Removes or replaces electrodes, transducers, sensors and assists patient with hygiene as necessary.
- Cleans all the materials used such as the electrodes and makes the bed.
- Generates a preliminary report.
- Enters subject information.
- Enters a preliminary report and notable observations in the log book.
- Administers O2, CPAP and BIPAP or other therapy as specified by research protocol.
Data Analysis
- Sleep Stage Analysis: analyzes sleep by scoring stages -- wake stage, 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM (rapid eye movement) and recognizing EEG phenomena.
- Arousal analysis: differentiates micro arousal, movement arousal and movement time. Recognizes arousals as spontaneous or evoked by leg movements.
- Respiratory analysis: recognizes sleep-disordered breathing and categorize events such OA (obstructive apnea), CA (central apnea), OH (obstructive hypopnea), CH (central hypopnea), and UAWRs (upper airway resistance syndrome).
- Recognizes PLM (periodic leg movement), snoring, and cardiac events and perform analysis on them.
- Identifies other physiologic events as defined in research protocol.
- Generates a summary report.
- Backs-up /archives raw and summary data.
- Transfers summary data to database.
Patient and Equipment Safety
- Recognizes and responds appropriately to subject medical problems and physiological events, particularly cardiac dysrhythmias, respiratory events and seizures.
- Safely lifts and moves patient without harm to patient or self.
- Ensures safety and welfare of all subjects, including subjects with special needs.
- Checks availability and function of equipment.
- Complies with Universal Infection Control Procedures.
- Properly disinfects and sterilizes equipment, electrodes, and transducers.
- Appropriately handles hazardous materials such as mercury, acetone or collodion.
