Sleep Studies Technician

The School of Sleep Medicine is a six (6) month certificate granting program. The clinical component of this program runs concurrently with the didactic portions and remains as such throughout. These "real-world" experiences are conducted in an Accredited Sleep Studies Lab, under the supervision of Polysomnographic professional with decades of experience. This is what makes Sleep Studies School unique; unlike many of our competitors, our students begin clinical on day three of the program, while other programs do not allow their students to practice on 'live' patients. Designing our program this way, enables our students to enter the workforce better prepared and more competent than their counterparts who graduated from other Sleep programs.

What is Sleep Studies?

Polysomnography (PSG), also known as a sleep study, is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep and as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. The test result is called a polysomnogram, also abbreviated PSG. The Polysomnography is a comprehensive recording of the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep. It is usually performed at night, when most people sleep. The PSG monitors many body functions including brain (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity or skeletal muscle activation (EMG) and heart rhythm (ECG) during sleep.

What does a Polysomnographer (Sleep Technician) do?

A Sleep Technician is the person who works at the sleep lab and conducts the sleep study. Their job is to attach the monitoring equipment to patients and then observe the recordings on a computer through the night. They are also there to ensure safety throughout a patient's stay and to answer any one might have about the procedure.

What happens at the Sleep Lab?

The sleep unit consists of several private bedrooms outfitted with simple non-invasive monitoring equipment used to monitor brain, muscle, heart and breathing activity during sleep. Prior to sleep, the technician will attach several monitoring leads to the patient, then work through the night in an adjacent room to observe the recordings.

Some of the activities of the body monitored during a sleep study usually include the following:

• Brain activity (electroencephalogram, EEG)
• Muscle activity (electromyogram, EMG)
• Heart activity (electrocardiogram, ECG)
• Eye activity (electrooculogram, EOG)
• Chest and stomach movements
• Airflow at nose and/or mouth
• Body oxygen level (light transmission through finger/ear-lobe)
• Sleeping position

Curriculum

PSG 100 Introduction to Sleep:

This course introduces the student to the sleep technology. It provides them with the history of sleep medicine and technology. The student will receive instruction in signs and symptoms of sleep disorders, scope of practice in Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine and discuss therapeutic modalities in sleep disorder intervention.

HS 100 Law & Ethics:

This course is an instruction in principals, procedures and regulations involving legal and ethical relationships between the Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine technologist, other healthcare team members, and the patient. It also includes current ethical issues as they relate to sleep studies, patient's rights and confidentiality issues.

HS 101 Anatomy & Physiology:

This course is a study in human anatomy and physiology. Lectures systematically take the student from the microscope level through organ systems with specific emphasis on the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Emphasis is placed on the brain as it relates to the generation of sleep, the brainwave activity during sleep and the brain/spinal cord control of breathing. Emphasis is also placed on ventilations and respiration during sleep, wakefulness, and in disease. The benefits and hazards of oxygen therapy will also be covered. Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology explores the health and disease of the cardiovascular system as it relates to the respiratory system and sleep disorders.

HS 102 Medical Terminology

This course will consist of learning prefixes, suffixes, root words and combining words as they relate to each body system.

PSG 101 Fundamentals of Polysomnography I:

This course provides the foundations for clinical practice in Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine. The student is exposed to interviewing techniques and documentation procedures, patient preparation for Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine hook-up and introduction to electrode placement. The stages of sleep and sleep architecture will be discussed along with the benefits of sleep and consequences of deprivation. The categories of sleep disorders, sign and symptoms associated with sleep disorders, common sleep disorders in infants, children, elderly and major categories of sleep arousal disorders.

PSG 103 Polysomnography Patient Care I:

This course is designed to provide instruction in areas of patient assessment of vital signs, proper body mechanics and patient assistance. Electrical safety, patient safety, standard precautions, general asepsis and infection control procedures. Students will also receive instruction in summarizing practitioner's orders. Co-relating the fundamentals of Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine with patient care the student will discuss patient cooperation, site preparation, changes in behavior and the identification of cognitive impairments and special emotional needs.

PSG 102 Fundamentals of Polysomnography II:

This course is the continuation of the Fundamentals of Polysomnography I. It builds on the knowledge acquired and expands to the protocols for monitoring, intervention and scoring. The student will identify and distinguish a number of ancillary equipment and devices used in Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine. Appropriately choose ancillary equipment with reference to patient characteristics, referring diagnosis and Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine protocols.

PSG 104 Polysomnography Patient Care II:

This course introduces the student to the use of specialized instruments to record and measure a number of physiological parameters involved with sleep testing. Students will explore sleep disorders, testing and treatment procedures used to treat sleep disorders, monitoring techniques and therapeutic intervention. Students will also analyze Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine data and explore the protocols for monitoring, intervention and scoring.

PSG 105 Polysomnography Clinical:

This course provides laboratory and sleep disorder center experience in Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine, correlating principles taught in the classroom. The student will receive hands-on instruction and training in the use of special instruments in actual patient care settings. This experience also includes exposure to online monitoring, analysis of PSG recordings, patient interaction and recognition of appropriate response to critical events that may occur in sleep.

HS 102 Career Development:

This course is designed to help the student prepare for entering the job market in the healthcare field. Topics include professional growth, job search skills and interview skills. Emphasis is placed on formulating a professional resume and rendering a successful interview

HS 103 Human Behavior:

This course is designed to help the student understand the importance of positive human relationships in the medical field, learn different behavioral theories, apply positive interpersonal skills to work and personal situations, and provide techniques to improve learning skills.

HS 104 Emergency Procedures/ CPR:

This course is designed to teach the student standard CPR Training and Basic Life Support.

HS 105 Computer Basics

Computers have become an indispensable tool to the practice of Basic Principles of Clinical Polysomnography and Sleep Medicine Technology. In hospitals, computers are used to identify insurance coverage and limits, and calculate charges. Hospitals also use various computers for management, graphs, electronic spreadsheets, and communication links. This course explores general computer principles and exposes the student to some of the common computer application programs.

Class Schedule

Day Session- 24 weeks

Monday-Thursday 8:30am-3:20pm

Clinical Practicum/ 9 weeks Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Education Requirements

Applicants must meet one of two pre-requisites:

• 1) High school diploma from an accredited institution OR GED, and
• 2) Must also meet with the Program Director for a formal interview.

At this interview the applicant will be asked standardized questions. Student selection into the program will then be based on previous education, and experience in an allied health field, grade point averages from high school and/or college transcripts, motivation, communication skills and others. In order for a graduating student to become a registered sleep technologist through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT), additional requirements may be needed. For additional information please contact them at www.brpt.org or 1-703-610-9020.

Tuition & Fees

The tuition for the Sleep Studies Technician program is $25,000 Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Includes lab fees and student liability insurance. It does not include: textbooks, uniforms, housing, or meals.

Financing

Private loans are available!

To help make training more affordable, private loans for this course are available through Springleaf Financial Services. There is no application fee, and the company offers a variety of loan sizes to meet your needs. Simply visit http://www.springleaffinancial.com/ and select, "Apply Now" to see if you qualify. Once an application form is filled-out, a representative from the branch closest to you will contact you.

Here are a few facts about the loans:

• Private Student Loan
• Based on credit and ability to pay
• Finances education and travel costs
• No application fees
• Different loan sizes available
• Monthly payments
• Allows co-applicants

In addition, Sleep School at Rockdale is a proud WorkForce Initiative Eligible Provider. All of our Allied Health Programs are included on the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board's (ARWB) local Intensive Service Listing. To see if you are eligible for this program, fill out an application at www.atlantaregional.com/wiatraining

Policy for Granting Credit for Previous Education and Training

Credit for advanced placement or appropriate experiential learning will be given consideration when such education or experience is determined to be comparable to the courses offered at the Sleep Studies School. Sleep Studies School considers the transfer of credits from other institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

According to the Board of Registered Polysomonographic Technologists, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of sleep medicine and the demand for credentialed RPSGTs are rapidly expanding. Greater public understanding of the importance of sleep and the relationship between sleep apnea and other diseases has raised the profile of sleep medicine and often generated aggressive competition for patients. Sleep Technician jobs are expected to increase "faster than average" compared to other professions.