Noncredit Training Program (Harrisburg campus)
HACC has been awarded accreditation as an ASTEP provider.
Announcing the fall 2010 class dates: September 25 through November 13th, 2010. The class will meet on Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM . A make-up class is scheduled for November 20th and will only be used if needed. Class will be held at Harrisburg Campus with one lab day in the sleep lab located in Lancaster.
About the Program - Curriculum and Costs (pdf) (rev 7/10)
Admission Criteria (rev 7/10)
Program Application (pdf) rev 1/10
Essential Qualifications (pdf)
Program Accreditation
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 – Sleep technicians work in sleep centers or labs that may be owned by private enterprises, medical facilities or medical practices. In recent years, there was 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. Recent changes in the economy has affected the need for entry level sleep techs in the surrounding communities. However, 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.
New pathways and requirements have been established for registry exams in this field. HACC encourages all interested students to familiarize and understand the BRPT pathways for eligibility to sit for the RPSGT exam as well as the AASM standards for working in an accredited lab. Information regarding registry in this field can be obtained at the following website: www.brpt.org. Information regarding the sleep field and accreditation of facilities can be found on the following website: www.aasmnet.org.
HACC does not offer assistance in job placement for this program at this time.
Salary Range for Geographical Area - $47,450 median salary for zip code 17110 December 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
Polysom Contact
Noncredit Healthcare Education
Blocker Hall 221
One HACC Drive
Harrisburg PA 17110
(717) 221-1352 or (800) 222-4222 ext. 1352
