A sleep lab technician, also known as a polysomnographic technician, is in charge of keeping track of patients while they sleep. He or she must be able to explain the procedures to patients and answer any questions they may have about the sleep lab. A technician must also be able to properly set up and read the electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring equipment. This job necessitates a high level of technical knowledge, and most sleep lab technicians will obtain certification before beginning work.
A sleep study is a clinical research tool used to determine why people have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping well, or a combination of these issues. These tests necessitate a patient spending the night in a laboratory, hooked up to brain wave monitors and frequently captured on video. The results of the sleep study are analyzed to see what physical or mental issues are preventing the patient from getting a good night’s sleep.
A sleep lab technician must have prior training in order to assist with this process. He or she enrolls in a technical program aimed at earning a certification as a sleep lab technician. The student must study the sleep tools, know how to read the results, and be an expert on safety and communication in order to receive the certification.
Following certification, the sleep lab technician’s job focuses on laboratory studies. The technician’s first responsibility is to deal with patients. He or she must first explain the process to the patient, explain what each machine does, and answer any questions that may arise. The technician then connects the patient to the appropriate equipment. EEG brainwave monitor sensors and heart rate monitors adhere to the skin on the head and chest in most cases.
A sleep lab technician’s other major responsibilities include monitoring these complex machines for long periods of time. In order to observe a normal sleeping situation, a sleep study typically lasts eight to ten hours during the night. This means the technician will have to keep an eye on a lot of charts, graphs, and monitors to see how each patient’s body is doing throughout the study.
Many technicians help the sleep technologist or director make a final diagnosis of the findings. A big part of the diagnosis is going over the charts and graphs and comparing the results to known symptoms. Some technicians are also responsible for ensuring that these results are sent to the patient’s primary doctor for final review.