1801928

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO
Te Whare Wananga o Otago

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Clinical Physiologist Sleep

DEPARTMENT: WellSleep, Department of Medicine
DIVISION: Health Sciences

PRIME FUNCTION

The Clinical Physiologist performs diagnostic and therapeutic overnight sleep studies on patients,
educates patients with respect to treatment issues and prepares reports on these studies.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

 To provide specialist technical support to WellSleep in the area of polysomnography and to

provide a high standard of care to patients.
 Provide technical support for research within the Centre.

KEY TASKS

 Perform a range of nocturnal and daytime sleep studies by applying standardised

physiological techniques and methods using a variety of computerised monitoring systems.
 Perform analysis (sleep, respiratory and other) and produce reports on previously recorded
studies.
 Patient education in the use of ventilatory devices (i.e. CPAP and Bi-level ventilators).
 Determine equipment reliability by calibrating and evaluating relevant standards.
 Ensure maintenance of Laboratory equipment.
 Perform minor clerical duties which include the entry of patient demographic details and
sleep study information on a database to allow monthly audit of service.
 Provide technical support for treatment and research programs of the Sleep Investigation
Centre.

RELATIONSHIPS

Responsible to: Laboratory Manager and Clinical Director of WellSleep.

Functional relationships with:
Internal- Department of Medicine staff and other WellSleep
staff e.g. Clinical Research Fellow, Consultant Physician, other
Technologists.
External – Department of Respiratory Medicine C&C DHB,
Private Physicians, Bowen Hospital Staff.

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BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITY

 N/A.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

 Technically satisfactory sleep studies set up and performed according to accreditation

guidelines.
 Appropriate management and care of patients while in a sole charge position – a maximum of
3 patients per night to be in the care of the Sleep Technologist.
 Effective education and follow up of patients in terms of treatment issues.
 Well documented report notes.
 Analysis of patient results performed in a timely and efficient manner and to a standard
sufficient for accreditation.
 Quality Assurance completed on schedule and documented appropriately.
 Research data collected as requested and appropriately documented.
 Admission to and pass of the Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Technology course.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 The ability to prioritise and complete work with minimum on site supervision (this position
involves sole charge night work with technical and medical back up available on call).
 The capacity to work as part of a team.
 Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with a wide range of people.
 Computer literacy, including familiarity with word processing and databases.
 Technical competency.
 Logical thinking and problem solving skills.
 Clinical research skills including: data collection, result preparation, statistics.
 Tertiary qualification in health science or similar.
 Nursing experience.
 Previous sleep experience either clinical or research is also highly desirable but not essential
as relevant training will be provided.

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