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This two-semester certificate program begins with the fall term and concludes at the end of the following spring semester. This program conducts a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs, and clinical assignments. Clinical rotations are conducted onsite at a variety of hospitals and freestanding sleep disorders centers. Clinical rotations are 12-hour overnight assignments, with little to no flexibility in scheduling. Therefore, holding a full-time job while in the program is not encouraged. However, the requirements of the program can be completed as a part-time student. Completion of this program is intended to lead to employment. Criminal Background Checks—Once accepted into the Polysomnography Program, students will complete a criminal background check. Prospective applicants with a conviction history are encouraged to speak with the program coordinator prior to application submission. Criminal backgrounds may prohibit a student or graduate from gaining employment as a Polysomnographic or Sleep Technologist. For information on criminal background application procedures, contact the Career Programs Subdivision office at (708) 974-5708. Drug Screening—Once accepted into the program students will complete a drug screen. Positive drug screen results will prohibit students from being placed at a clinical site. Nature of Work—Polysomnographic technologists are specialists who work in sleep disorders centers. Technologists operate, monitor, and troubleshoot sophisticated computerized sleep equipment to collect and analyze physiologic patient data. Polysomnographic technologists also work closely with physicians and other sleep specialists participating in patient education and treatment plan coordination. Most polysomnographic technologists work 10- to 12-hour night shifts. This career choice should be made after careful consideration of the nature of the hours and the students' desire and ability to work the night shift. Related Job Titles—Graduates of the Polysomnography Certificate Program will be qualified for employment as polysomnographic technicians in hospital-based and freestanding sleep disorder centers. Typical job titles include: polysomnographic technologist, neurophysiology technologist- polysomnography, sleep technologist, neurodiagnostic technologist-polysomnography. Upon successful completion of the comprehensive board for registered polysomnographic technologist examination, the technician title is replaced with technologist. Employment Outlook—Millions of people annually are tested in sleep centers and limited accredited educational programs exist nationwide. Employment opportunities for qualified sleep technologists are outstanding. The median expected salary in 2009, according to salary.com, for a typical polysomnographic technologist in Chicago is $51,237. The 25th percentile is $45,399 and the 75th percentile is $57,564. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center in the Student Services Center, S202, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jrc. Certification—Program graduates are eligible to take the comprehensive board for registered polysomnographic technologist examination to earn the credential Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) |
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The Polysomnography Technologist Certificate Program provides the education and
training required to work as a sleep technologist. Sleep technologists care for
patients diagnosed with or suspected of having sleep disorders. Millions of
people in the United States have one or more of the over 80 recognized disorders
of sleep, including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and
insomnia. Sleep medicine is a rapidly growing specialty dedicated to the
diagnosis and treatment of people with sleep disorders. For more information
about the field of Polysomnography, visit 
