Noncredit Training Program (Harrisburg campus)
The HACC Polysomnography Training Program has been designated by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as an alternate educational pathway for purposes of establishing Pathway 1 eligibility to sit for the RPSGT exam. The curriculum is not recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for purposes of AASM facility accreditation. The program is currently seeking ASTEP Introduction accreditation.
Polysomnography (sleep study) is the scientific evaluation of sleep for the purpose of treating sleep disorders. A polysomnogram is the recording of a person's sleep pattern, breathing, heart activity, and limb movements during sleep, abbreviated PSG. The Polysomnography Training Program was developed to prepare sleep technicians for the RPGST registry exam as well as to train new-entry healthcare workers for the field of polysomnography.
Polysom Program Flier (pdf)
About the Program - Curriculum and Costs
Admission Criteria (pdf)
Essential Qualifications (pdf)
Program Accreditation
Who to Contact
Polysomnography (sleep study) is the scientific evaluation of sleep for the purpose of treating sleep disorders. Polysomnograph technicians (sleep techs) record, tabulate and interpret data taken while patients are sleeping. Sleep techs generally work in a sleep lab, gathering information through a variety of means, including electroencephalograph (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG) and electromyography (EMG) readings. A polysomnogram is a combined representation of these data as well as other sets of information, such as airflow while the patient is sleeping, respiratory effort, sound recordings and even records of body postures. A Sleep Tech collects and synthesizes this information, afterwards forwarding it to a physician to be analyzed for diagnosis and recommended treatment.
A major component of the occupation is communicating with patients, including patient education. So that polysomnographic work can match patients’ natural sleep rhythms, work generally takes place overnight. Often, the shift is 10-12 hours in length. These factors require the ability to remain awake, alert and maintain good interpersonal skills throughout the night as well as the ability to get proper sleep during the day. Sleep Techs must possess good problem solving skills and be able to work well independently.
Places of Employment and Outlook – There has been a dramatic increase in the number of sleep lab facilities throughout the United States and the number of adequately trained individuals to perform and evaluate the studies has not kept pace. The need for Sleep Techs is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing awareness of the ability to diagnose and treat sleep disorders and the risk posed by a sleep disorder that is undiagnosed and untreated.
Graduates of this program are prepared to enter the healthcare profession as Polysomnograph Technicians in sleep centers or labs. The sleep centers or labs may be owned by private enterprises, medical facilities or medical practices. HACC does not offer assistance in job placement for this program at this time.
Salary Range for Geographical Area - $46,282 median salary for zip code 17110 April 2009 from salary.com for polysomnographic technician
Educational Advancement - Completion of this certificate program, national RPSGT certification and employment in the polysomnography field may allow articulation of 21 credits towards an Associate Degree in Health Science.
Related Websites For Additional Information About The Career
American Association of Sleep Technologists
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
