Polysomnographic Technology – Credit Certificate
Program Handbook
Overview
Polysomnographic Technology is a healthcare field that uses diagnostic tests known as sleep studies (polysomnography) to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Sleep studies are used to gather extensive data concerning an individual’s physiologic activity while sleeping. A Sleep Technologist is the healthcare practitioner who performs and helps interpret these studies. Technologists provide data and make recommendations to physicians specifically trained in Sleep Medicine so that patients can receive appropriate therapy to treat discovered sleep disorders. The program is designed to prepare polysomnographic technologists to work as part of a healthcare team under the general supervision of a licensed physician to assist in the education, evaluation, treatment and follow up of sleep disorders in patients of all ages. Upon successful completion of the program, completers will be eligible for a national examination offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) to become credentialed as Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT).
Philosophy
Course goals and objectives are determined for each student based on CoA-PSG and CAAHEP standards and required knowledge clusters and learning domains. The goal is to prepare competent practitioners who can function in a rapidly changing healthcare environment as well as pass the RPSGT and/or RST exam.
Education is a continual process whereby learners develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes resulting in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor changes. The faculty facilitates the teaching/learning process through the sequential presentation of concepts, theories, and experimental activities within an environment that promotes mutual trust, critical thinking, and self-development.
Program Learning Outcomes
At the end of the certificate program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) competencies required in polysomnography.
- Display responsible, ethical, and professional patient care.
- Use effective communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and think critically.
Admission Requirements
See College Admission Requirements.
Progression
Once enrolled in the program students are required to:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- Maintain a “C” grade or higher, in all Polysomnographic Technology coursework.
Any grade lower than a “C” is considered a failure. Students who fail or withdraw from a Polysomnographic Technology course may repeat the course only one time. However, if students fail two PSG courses, the Program Lead reserves the right to dismiss the students from the PSG program.
Requirements for Clinicals
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
Certificate Requirements
To complete the Polysomnographic Technology Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:
Required Program Courses
Complete All of the Following Courses:
| BIO 103 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| PSG 101 | Fundamentals of Sleep | 3 |
| PSG 102 | Essentials of Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 110 | Polysomnography Analysis | 3 |
| PSG 111 | Respiratory Monitoring | 3 |
| PSG 113 | Polysomnographic Practicum I | 1 |
| PSG 123 | Advanced Topics in Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 124 | Polysomnographic Technology Capstone Seminar | 2 |
| PSG 125 | Polysomnographic Practicum II | 2 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
PSG 113: 90 hrs.
PSG 125: 180 hrs.
Sample Program of Study
Semester I
| BIO 103 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PSG 101 | Fundamentals of Sleep | 3 |
| PSG 102 | Essentials of Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
Semester II
Semester III
| PSG 123 | Advanced Topics in Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 124 | Polysomnographic Technology Capstone Seminar | 2 |
| PSG 125 | Polysomnographic Practicum II | 2 |