Polysomnography (Sleep) Technician

Problems with sleep can lead to many different physical and mental health disorders. The polysomnography (sleep) technician is an entry-level position that assists polysomnography technologists and sleep specialist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sleep disorders. When a physician orders a sleep study for a patient, polysomnography personnel use a polysomnography to collect various data during the patient’s sleep. This data is then interpreted to help in the physician’s diagnosis of the underlying problem and designing of the proper treatment. Sleep technicians work in sleep centers, laboratories, or academic settings as well as other settings as directed by the sleep specialist.

This course discusses the role of the sleep technician, the procedures required for quality patient care, the legal and ethical requirements related to polysomnography, and the foundational information about normal and abnormal sleep and related sleep disorders and ultimately mental and physical health consequences. It explains how to set up sleep study equipment, prepare a patient for the procedure, identify and respond to findings in the study, and document and report findings.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Use medical terminology in communicating with health care professionals.
• Communicate effectively in both verbal and written communication methods.
• Explain the ethical and legal requirements of the polysomnography field including medical ethics, patient confidentiality, and medical record security.
• Explain basic patient care procedures for patients in residential care.
• Explain basic emergency procedures for healthcare environments.
• Perform basic math calculations.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of computers in the healthcare industry.
• Explain how to perform a patient interview to obtain patient history, medication list, and other required information prior to a sleep test.
• Perform basic vital sign assessment.
• Describe sleep stages.
• Describe the respiratory events of sleep.
• Explain desaturations as it relates to sleep.
• Discuss the movements commonly seen in sleep.
• Describe the cardiac events that can occur in sleep.
• Describe arousal and arousal disorders.
• Explain the use of equipment and supplies used in sleep studies.
• Explain how to prepare the patient for the sleep study.
• Explain how to test, verify impedance, and calibrate sleep study equipment.
• Explain common sleep study procedures and protocols.
• Identify, respond to, and document findings related to the sleep study.
• Perform calculations using common formulas required for sleep studies.
• Explain how to document observations in the technician summary of a sleep study.
• Describe common therapeutic treatments and interventions related to sleep.

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) Certificate

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.