Alyssa Bickett

My job includes setting up supplies for the electroencephalograms and performing the correct test on inpatients and outpatients of any age. This includes routine EEG's, continuous EEG's, and ambulatory EEG's. I also set up patients with home sleep studies by instructing them on how to use it and scoring the record once it is returned. Sometimes my job includes scheduling patients for EEG's, PSG's, and HST's. I also fax completed reports for these studies to the ordering physicians office in a timely manner.

Strengths that help me peform my job correctly:

• Communication with my patients so they know exactly what kind of test they are having. That way they can feel at ease during the whole process. I also make sure there is excellent communication between my co-workers and hospital staff to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• It is a priority to me to stay organized at work. That way I know that results have been sent to physicians offices and our doctors are notified about completed reports. This helps tasks get done efficiently and in a timely manner.
• I make sure to show compassion to all of the patients I work with. Having confusing and sometimes uncomfortable medical procedures is difficult. If I can show them compassion and understanding of their situation that makes me a better person and can impact the lives of my patients for the better.

For the first two and a half years of working at MercyOne I was a Polysomnography Technologist. During that time I worked overnights in our sleep lab setting up and performing diagnostic PSG's, split-night PSG's, and CPAP/BiPAP titration PSG's. This included applying electrodes to the scalp for brain activity, EKG patches, EMG patches for muscle activity, and respiratory effort belts to help in diagnosing sleep disorders. I also scored wake/sleep stages, respiratory events, leg movements, etc. on the recording until the test was completed in the morning. I would apply CPAP/oxygen if the patient qualified for it and titrate them throughout the night as needed. This also included educating the patient on CPAP/mask usage. I cleaned up my patients and the room after completion of test. Lastly, I generated a report with all necessary data and technical comments for the reading physician.

In towards the end of 2020, I was asked by management if I was willing to transition to day shift and became an EEG technologist due to low volume after Covid and the lead EEG technologist retiring. I love having a variety at work and getting to do new things so I accepted the new position. This involved setting up and performing 20-30 minute routine EEG's, continuous EEG's, and set up of home sleep studies. I also eventually started scheduling patients for their sleep and EEG appointments as well as generating reports and faxing them to the ordering physicians office.

Strengths that allowed me to perform my job:

• I have a strong passion for helping people and always do what I can to make sure my patients are happy and taken care of. This also included providing education to my patients so they new what to expect not just during the test but after when they went home.
• I also make sure to have great communication with my patients, my co-workers, as well as other staff in the hospital who may be taking care of my patient. To ensure the best care possible is given.
• I am organized and detail-oriented to ensure paperwork and patient files are completed correctly and without error. This has helped me when I have been involved in Joint Commission surveys and accreditation for the sleep lab.
• I have a great memory for names/information which helps me in recalling patient information when they call to schedule an appointment or if a physician has a specific question.
• I love to work as a team with my co-workers but I am also skilled at working independently on projects/tasks.

When I was employed with MercyOne I was lucky enough to receive two different awards during my time, the Dynamite Award and the Spirit of Compassion and Caring. I also have received recognition through emails and MercyOne recognition cards from my directors/managers.

I was hired to perform polysomnography studies during overnights in a hospital setting. My job included setting up my patients sleep rooms for one of the following tests: diagnostic PSG, split-night PSG, and CPAP/BiPAP titration PSG. To perform the test I applied scalp electrodes to record brain activity, EKG patches for heart rhythm, EMG patches for muscle activity, nasal cannula for airflow, and respiratory effort belts. During the recording I was scoring wake/sleep stages, respiratory events, and muscle movements. Sometimes I applied CPAP masks/Oxygen to patients who qualified for them, then titrating the CPAP machine or oxygen as needed. After the test was complete I cleaned up the patient prior to them leaving, as well as the patient room. I made sure my report had all necessary technical comments and correct data for the day shift to submit to the reading physician.