At Houston Methodist, the Lead Polysomnographic Technologist position functions as the lead person, generally for an assigned shift and/or area and performs lead job duties including projects or specialized responsibilities as a regular part of their normal job responsibilities. In addition to the lead responsibilities, this position also performs duties and responsibilities at a Sr Polysomnographic Technologist level which include advanced procedures. The Lead Polysomnographic Technologist serves as the liaison between management, staff and physicians for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving questions and issues for Polysomnographic Technologists as well as support staff, resulting in the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties for this position may be varied and include many of the following: testing, scoring, follow-up, coordination with other hospital departments organizing work schedules, assigning work, reviewing time cards for accuracy, conducting quality assurance audits of staff performance, developing and implementing quality improvement activities, training and mentoring staff, providing feedback on staff performance and developmental needs, participating in the development of skills and performance of staff, collecting/analyzing/reporting on data, preparing reports on department performance and metrics, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads and initiates problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by coordinating department needs and responding positively to requests for assistance. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills.

• Orients, guides and mentors team members consisting of Polysomnographic Technologist levels, students and support staff, to help build confidence and competency in skills, knowledge and abilities. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes.

• Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service.

• Role-models skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, to drive improvement of department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Executes above average clinical and critical thinking skills in challenging procedures and patient care situations, utilizing conflict management techniques as appropriate. Performs difficult and unusual procedures and therapeutic interventions; analyzes complex situations and takes appropriate actions.

• Provides care for the needs of patients by providing information and education and executing various sleep study treatment concepts to maximize performance. This includes: positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and proactively addressing complications / limitations associated with certain procedures. Assists patients in the coordination of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) needs and follow-up as needed.

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift/area. Proactively identifies needs for adjustment/intervention for optimum patient care and experience. Monitors and adjusts activities of the assigned team to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience. Drives service improvements to impact department score for patient satisfaction, through role modeling accountability for service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs polysomnographic data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Establishes and documents baseline values, verifying the integrity of collected data and completes the data collection process (e.g., repeats the physiological and instrument calibrations and instructs the patient on completing questionnaires, etc.)

• Scores sleep/wake stages per professional guidelines; scores clinical events such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc. per established protocols. Tabulates sleep/wake and clinical event data, preparing report for physician interpretation and final report sign-off.

• Implements appropriate interventions to ensure quality outcomes. Conducts quality audits on equipment, processes, outcomes and team member performance. Documents, develops and evaluates processes, procedures and outcomes. Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement, providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

• Assists with the implementation and education of department- based safety initiatives and standards of practice and with development of policies, procedures, and protocols. Ensures compliance with accreditation standards, involved in obtaining and maintaining center accreditation.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately documents all patient care and polysomnography related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is delivered. Prepares monthly volume and other metrics and reports as needed.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Evaluates and reports on inventory levels. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks and provides leadership to team members on effective and efficient utilization of time, minimizing incidental overtime. If assigned, accurately reviews team members' time cards for management approval.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Initiates and leads department projects and shared governance activities. Participates in one or more department committees or subcommittees and facilitates the accomplishment of the goals of the committee. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond competencies with a focus on continual development as a Polysomnographic Technologist and leadership skills. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

• Participates in physician patient record reviews. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years experience as a Polysomnographic Technologist in a Sleep Disorders laboratory of which at least one has been in a leadership capacity; may consider a HM employee with at least three years experience, one year as a HM Sr Polysomnographic Technologist who demonstrates progressive leadership skills and abilities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RPSGT - Registered Polysomnographer Technologist (BRPT) OR
• RRT-SDS - Registered Respiratory Therapist Sleep Disorder Specialty (NBRC) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Possesses proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital / Sleep Study Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging/difficult procedures and patient care situations

• Demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in The Texas Medical Center – a national Honor Roll hospital – to Bay Area communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care, is an accredited chest pain center, and is also acute stroke-ready designated through DNV. Houston Methodist Clear Lake offers many inpatient and outpatient services including 3-D mammography and other state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, Cancer Center of Excellence, advanced laparoscopic surgery, comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine, neurology, urology and otolaryngology.  Also, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is honored to be the only hospital in the bay area to have a Grade A rating from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grading.