TRA I/Sleep Core Technician- FT, Day

Affiliate Name: Brigham & Women's Hospital
Job Category: Research
Department: BWH MEDICINE
Shift: Days
Hours/Week: 40
Job Type: Regular
Employment Type: Full TimeResponsibilities:
The Research Assistant/Sleep Core Technician serves as an assistant to the Sleep Core/Unit Leader of the Sleep Medicine Division. Responsibilities include collecting, processing, editing, plotting, analyzing, quality checking, and maintaining databases of polysomnographic (PSG) and waking electroencephalographic (EEG) data. The data will be obtained from experiments conducted on the Intensive Physiological Monitoring (IPM) unit of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) and from within the Division of Sleep Medicine of Brigham and Women's Hospital. He/she will also be responsible for assisting with experiments and analysis specific to the various data collected in the laboratory in association with the Sleep Core/Unit of the Sleep Medicine Division of the Brigham and Women's Hospital.PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Responsible for the maintenance and organization of PSG and waking EEG recordings from studies conducted on the IPM of the GCRC and in the Environmental Scheduling Facility of the Division of Sleep Medicine.
2. Responsible for daily monitoring, quality checking, data entering, and editing of PSG and waking EEG recordings obtained from IPM and ESF experiments conducted on the GCRC and in association with the Division of Sleep Medicine.
3. Carries out and assists with experimental protocol events (e.g., Multiple Sleep Latency Tests, Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests, Slow-Wave Suppression procedures, sleep screening procedures, and specialized electrode applications) occurring on the on the IPM of the GCRC and in the Environmental Scheduling Facility of the Division of Sleep Medicine. Variable shifts (day, evening, and nights on a rotating schedule) will occasionally be required.
4. Responsible for and assists supervisor in data collection and analysis. This may include independent analysis projects under supervision of Sleep Core/Unit Leader.
5. Supervises training and assists with the development of training program to instruct in the instrumentation, acquisition, scoring, and analysis of PSG and waking EEG recordings.
6. Assists in overseeing the preparation and maintenance of all equipment and supplies necessary for daily PSG and waking EEG recordings.
7. Performs qualitative (sleep scoring) and quantitative (spectral) analysis of PSG and waking EEG recordings according to standard criteria for specific research protocols conducted in association with the Division of Sleep Medicine.
8. Assists in the preparation of reports detailing progress of experiments and/or data analysis for presentation at regular meetings with supervisor and other laboratory staff.
9. Assists supervisor in the preparation of grants, progress reports, manuscripts and presentations.
10. Assists supervisor with clerical and administrative duties associated with conferences, courses, site visits and other events.
11. Participates in regular Sleep Core/Committee meetings and, if necessary, oversees the administrative details associated with these meetings.
12. Performs other duties as required.WORKING CONDITIONS:
o Busy laboratory environment.
o Occasional evening, overnight, or weekend work required.
o Occasional intense periods of work can be associated with particular scientific deadlines (i.e., grant proposals, meetings). Overtime may be required.
o Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens through contact with biological specimens.
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelors or Master degree in health science, biology-related, or behavioral science area is required. Prefer individuals with science or patient-care background and interest in scientific research.
2. A minimum of six to twelve months working as a research technician, subject recruiter or student research assistant on the IPM of the GCRC or ESF of the Sleep Medicine Division strongly preferred.
3. Strongly preferred Board Registered Polysomnographic Technologist with extensive technical experience and up to date knowledge of digital sleep recording systems.
4. Strongly preferred extensive experience with qualitative PSG analysis ('sleep scoring') and sleep report generation.
5. Strongly preferred two or more years prior experience in a sleep/circadian laboratory with special emphasis on digital sleep recording techniques.
6. Extensive experience with Vitaport/Vitagraph/Vitascore software or related computerized PSG recording devices and analysis software preferred.
7. Experience with analog PSG recording devices helpful (Grass, Nihon-Khoden, etc.).
8. Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office 2000.SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
o High level of technical knowledge, communication and reasoning skills.
o Ability to independently evaluate new hardware and software used for PSG recordings and data-analyses.
o Ability to function appropriately with limited supervision under sometimes stressful conditions.
o Effective interpersonal skills, able to work with others with minimal conflict.
o Physically able to assist with movement of testing equipment.
o Must possess excellent organizational skills.
o Ability to pay meticulous attention to detail while maintaining a sense of priority, efficiency, and a clear view of larger project objectives.
o Ability to follow directions carefully and, once trained, work with minimal direct supervision.
o Must possess the ability to continually learn new computer skills and improve upon existing skills.
o Ability to maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and to work cooperatively with others.
o Ability to work effectively as a member of a research team. Display initiative and sound judgment in crisis or unexpected situations. Willingness to take on additional work when required.
o Must possess data processing skills.