© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Sleep TechnologistsSleep Technologists Health Care Professionals Dedicated to Health Care Professionals Dedicated to

Improving the Quality of Life Improving the Quality of Life through Better Sleepthrough Better Sleep

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

What is your dream job?What is your dream job?

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Have you dreamed about being a Have you dreamed about being a Sleep Technologist!!!!Sleep Technologist!!!!

Career opportunity Competitive salaries Growing profession Lifetime learning

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Rewarding CareerRewarding CareerWhat do Sleep Technologists do?What do Sleep Technologists do?

Many of the patients that are seen suffer from severe sleep deprivation.

Play a key role in preventing major health problems in both adults and children.

You have the opportunity to change a person’s life in one nights stay at the sleep center.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Enjoy A Rewarding CareerEnjoy A Rewarding Career

Sleep Technology is the study

of sleep, sleep disorders, and

the treatment of sleep

disorders. Sleep technology

and medicine involve many

medical disciplines, but

primarily: Pulmonology,

Neurology, and Psychology.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Examples of Pulmonology-related Examples of Pulmonology-related Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Sleep Apnea Obesity

Hypoventilation Syndrome

Snoring

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Examples of Neurology-related Examples of Neurology-related Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Narcolepsy Restless Leg Syndrome

and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

REM Behavior Disorder Nocturnal Seizures

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Examples of Psychology-related Examples of Psychology-related Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Insomnia Nightmares Night Terrors

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Why Sleep Technology?Why Sleep Technology?

Sleep Technology is a growing field Advances in polysomnographic equipment

and digital recordings The best way to enter the field is through

sleep technology.There are many advancements and wide

range of job opportunities.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Polysomnography is Sleep Polysomnography is Sleep TechnologyTechnology

Polysomnography is a comprehensive recording of the bio-physiological changes that occur during sleep.

Polysomnography is usually performed at night or during normal sleep times by a sleep technologist.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Diagnostic TestingDiagnostic Testing

Sleep Technologists administer sleep testing procedures which include: Diagnostic

Polysomnographic TestMultiple Sleep Latency TestMaintenance of

Wakefulness Test

CPAP/Bi-Level titrations

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Standard Polysomnogram 1

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Standard Polysomnogram 2

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Patient arrival at sleep center

Patient education

Patient set-up

Clear signal readings

Documentation of patient’s readings.

““A Good Night’s Work”A Good Night’s Work”

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

““Don’t be left in the dark. Don’t be left in the dark. Get into the field of Sleep Get into the field of Sleep

Technology!”Technology!” AASM A-STEP

Program

CoAPSG

Certificate Programs

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Need for TechnologistsNeed for Technologists

Qualified technologists will be needed to treat these patients.

The need for qualified technologists is higher than ever.

Sleep Technology has been predicted to have tremendous growth over the next 10 years.

Approximately 20 million adults in America have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). 5-28% have mild form of OSA.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

““Credentialing through the Credentialing through the BRPTBRPT is essential” is essential”

The registry exam given by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic

Technologists (BRPT) is the ‘gold standard’ for professional sleep technologists. The credential of “RPSGT” is recognized

throughout the world as the only technical credential in the field of sleep Technology.

The credential is being required in some states in order to work in the field.

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

““How do I maintain my How do I maintain my certification?”certification?”

Maintaining the RPSGT credential requires continuing education

50 Continuing Education Credits of sleep-related education is required every 5 years to maintain the credential

Many organizations offer continuing educational courses, locally, nationally and internationally

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

““What could I be doing if I go What could I be doing if I go into this field?”into this field?”

Advancing Your Career in Sleep Technology!!!!

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Levels of Polysomnographic Levels of Polysomnographic TechnologistTechnologist

•Polysomnographic Trainee

•Polysomnographic Technician

•Polysomnographic Technologist

•Specialty Technologist

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Other jobs Other jobs

ScorersShift Supervisors Clinical SupervisorsSleep

Manager/DirectorsDurable Medical

Equipment Specialists

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Industry RepresentativeIndustry Representative

Sales Many sleep companies hire

RPSGTs in sales

InstallationInstallation Who can better anticipate your

needs then a fellow tech

DevelopmentDevelopment Great ideas for use of

equipment come from the technologists

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Teaching OpportunitiesTeaching Opportunities

Many A-STEP programs need Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT’s)

Colleges are beginning sleep programs – why not share the knowledge?

Sleep organizations need speakers/teachers

© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

Sleep OrganizationsSleep OrganizationsFor more information regarding sleep related

organizations, please visit the AAST Web site at www.aastweb.org

www.aastweb.org

www.aasmnet.org

www.brpt.org