Polysomnographic Technology

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Polysomnographic Technology
Z z z z z z z

• _______________________________
• A challenging new health career.

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Polysomnography is a new, rapidly growing health
related field dedicated to the study of sleep
disorders. The National Institute of Health
say more than 70 million people suffer each year
from chronic to sporadic sleep problems -- a
number that's expected to swell in tandem with
our burgeoning waistlines, advancing age, erratic
work schedules and 24-hour lifestyles.The
rise in diagnosed disorders has spawned a
proliferation of sleep institutes across the
country, where patients pay 3,000 and up for
trained technicians to monitor their sleep
patterns overnight.
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Polysomnographic Technologists work in
state-of-the-art laboratories where they assess
patients and prepare them for sleep studies.
They also operate, monitor, and troubleshoot
highly sophisticated sleep computers to analyze
sleep patterns. The
Polysomnography Technician uses their specialized
skills to help physicians diagnose and treat
sleep disorders. There are over 80 different
sleep disorders.
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As a polysomnographic technologist you must like
working with people, be able to explain
complicated procedures and be comfortable with
computers.
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Using sensitive monitoring equipment
polysomnographic technologists prepare the
patient for a sleep study.
We start by getting our equipment ready for
setting up the patient for a sleep study.
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Brain wave activity is measured by placing
electrodes on the head.
Electrodes
Precise measurements are made by the student.
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The black/blue belts placed around the patients
chest and abdomen monitor respiratory effort.
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Leg activity is monitored.
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Eye movement Chin movement Oxygen saturation
Heart rhythm Air flow and even how loud the
patient snores are monitored!
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Once the patient is all set up they will get into
bed. This room often looks like a nice hotel
room. The wires will be plugged into a
sophisticated computer system and then the
technician will begin monitoring.
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Polysomnographic Technologist monitoring the
patient.

• Technicians monitor many components including
• eye movement
• respiration (respiratory rate)
• muscle tension
• oxygen saturation (oxygen level in the blood)
• snoring
• and

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Stage 1 Sleep
Brain Wave Activity
Stage 1 - occurs in the beginning of sleep, with
slow eye movements. People in this stage often
believe that they are fully awake.
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Stage 2 Sleep
Stage 2 - the person is unconscious, though
awakened easily. No eye movements occur, and
dreaming is very rare during this stage. EEG
recordings tend to show characteristic "sleep
spindles" and "K-complexes" during this stage.
Stage 3 - transition between stage 2 and stage 4.
delta waves begin to occur.
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Stage 4 Sleep
Stage 4 - slow-wave sleep referred to the
"deepest" stage of sleep. Dreaming is more common
in this stage than in other stages of NREM sleep
though not as common as in REM sleep. The content
of SWS dreams tends to be disconnected and not as
vivid as those that occur during REM sleep. This
is also the most common stage in which
parasomnias occur.
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Stage 5 Sleep
The sleep stages 1 through 4 are collectively
referred to as NREM (non-rapid eye movement)
sleep. In stage 5 you have Rapid eye movement
(REM). This has unique rapid eye movement. In
stages 1-4 there is little or no eye movement.
Dreaming is during REM sleep, and the muscles
are paralyzed.
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The Polysomnographic Technologist analyzes the
data and complies a report.
Patients normally have obstructive sleep apnea
or central sleep apnea.
Central
Obstructive
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It was determined this patient has obstructive
sleep apnea and needs to wear CPAP at night.The
Polysomnographic Technologist is fitting a
mask. He will then will teach the patient how
to use the mask and CPAP at home.
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It was determined this patient has
central sleep apnea, based on their EEG
brain wave activity pattern. The
physician will determine if a medical drug can
help.
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Now that you know what Polysomnographic
Technologists do.

• Lets take a look at the program being offered!

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Sharing resources

• Four colleges joined together to develop a
  Polysomnographic Technologist program for the
  state of Washington.
• Edmonds Community College
• Highline Community College
• Olympic College
• Tacoma Community College

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Edmonds Community College
Olympic College
Highline Community College
Tacoma Community College
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Highline Community College Coordinates the
program. All students register for the program
through Highline Community College.
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Certificate of Polysomnographic Technology

• full time 3 quarter program
• starts each fall quarter
• 16-20 students will be accepted for the
  2007-2008 year

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Program Format

• lecture courses
• hands-on lab
• clinical practicum

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• Lecture courses are offered in an on-line format
  to provide greater accessibility and student
  convenience.
• Students will normally have two on-line lecture
  courses during each quarter of the program.
• To see an example of an on-line classroom and
  identify yourself as an on-line learner please
  visit
• http//flightline.highline.edu/distanceed.
• Take the quiz Is on-line learning for me?

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• Hands-on lab experience will be at various
  locations during the first two quarters of the
  program.

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Tentative schedule for 2007-2008 Fall quarter
Highline Community College Respiratory Lab,
approximately 1 day per month.
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Winter quarter labs will be in several locations
throughout the area. Generally a lab in the
north and south end are chosen. Lab is
approximately 2 days per month. Lab days are
eight hours.
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Practicum
During the third quarter of the program students
will do a minimum of 200 hours one-on-one with an
experienced technician. They will attend
physician rounds and interact with physicians.
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Curriculum
The curriculum has been developed according to
the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists
(APT) suggested guidelines. Visit the APT
website at www.aptweb.org
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How to apply

• Students can get an information packet from the
  admissions office on the Highline Community
  College Campus.
• or
• http//flightline.highline.edu/polysom
• Applications can be printed.
• All applications must be submitted to the
  Admissions office at Highline. They can be
  dropped off in person or mailed.

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Entry Requirements- Certificate Program

• Medical terminology, MED A 113 or equivalent 2
  credit course
• AIDS/HIV Education, RC 130 or equivalent
• Intro. to anatomy and physiology, BIO 118 or
  equivalent
• Evidence of successful completion of MATH 081 or
  equivalent or minimum COMPASS score of 60 in Math
• Evidence of successful completion of READ 091,
  WRIT 060 or equivalent or academic degree, or
  minimum COMPASS score of 80 Reading and 65 writing

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Consortium course equivalents-
These are suggested course equivalents, there may
be other courses that meet the requirement.
Prerequisites can be taken at any accredited
college.
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Selective entry process

• Students must meet requirements for entry into
  the program
• Also considered
• Applicants who have healthcare experience
• College degree or significant course work
• Geographical location to meet the needs of the
  community

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Completed application packets

• Application to Highline Community College with
  application fee if you are a returning student
  no fee is required
• Application to the Certificate of
  Polysomnographic Technology program
• Request to evaluate official transcripts
• Disclosure statement for child/adult abuse
  criminal history search
• COMPASS or equivalent results
• Resume

Applications are due by May 1, 2007
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There are over 28 Sleep Labs in the State of
Washington with many having plans for expanding
over the next few years.
Dots are not representative of actual labs.
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Median expected salary for a typical
Polysomnographic Technician in the United States
is 44,750.00. 1

• Wages do vary in our area significantly.
• To determine what specific labs are paying
  contact their HR department or visit their
  website.

Low 39,115.00---------Median 44,750.00---------H
igh 50,076.00 1 This information was obtained
from www.Salary.com on June 28,2006.
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www.flightline.highline.edu/polysom

• At our website you can find additional
  information and applications.
• Please let us know if you have any questions!

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If you are looking for a rewarding career in the
medical field that is in high demand Consider
Polysomnographic Technology!