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Polysomnography
Technology
Certificate
Curriculum code 1441


Moraine Valley Community College's Polysomnography Technology Certificate Program provides the education and training required to work as a polysomnographic technologist. Polysomnographic (PSG) 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 more than 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 www.aastweb.org.

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 rotatins are conducted onsite at a variety of hospitals and free-standing sleep disorders centers. Clinical rotations are 12-hour overnight assignments, with little to no flexibility in scheduled. 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 Technologist. For information on criminal background application procedures, contact the Career Programs Subdivision office at (708) 974-5708.

Drug ScreeningOnce accepted into the program, students will complete a drug screening. Positive drug screen results will prohibit a student from being placed with a clinical site.

Nature of Work—Polysomnographic technologists are specialists who work in state-of-the-art 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 technologists in hospital-based and free-standing sleep disorders centers. Typical job titles include: polysomnographic technologist, neurophysiology technologist-polysomnography, sleep technologist, neurodiagnostic technologist-polysomnography.

Employment Outlook—Millions of people annually are tested in sleep centers and only a few formal training programs exist nationwide. Employment opportunities for qualified sleep technologists are outstanding.

The median expected salary in August 2006, according to www.salary.com, for a typical polysomnographic technologist in Chicago is $47,686. The 25th percentile is $42,040 and the 75th percentile is $53,345.

For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jpc.

Certification—Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the comprehensive board for registered polysomnographic technologist examination to earn the credential Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.

 
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Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills, IL 60465-0937 
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