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History of Sleep Techs-RPSGTs
This topic of the history of sleep techs came up in another thread, so rather than bring that thread too far afield, i'm starting a new one on this topic: how long has there been such a thing as a sleep tech, or at least a registered polysomnographic sleep tech (RPSGT)? i'd imagine its a pretty new profession the field of sleep medicine is pretty much in its infancy.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dave Hargett on -
Rock,
While I've been around sleep for a while, I only recently was elected as the "public" member of the Board of Directors of the BRPT. I'm not a sleep technologist myself (although I have taken a one-week training course). I represent the "public" who is served well by the RPSGT credential and the sleep techs who help all of us patients!
Rock Hinkle said:Nice to meet you Dave Hargett!
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Permalink Reply by Judy on -
A one-week training course sounds fascinating, Dave Hargett! A chance to discover and get somewhat of an idea of just what an RPSGT must do, must understand and what they sometimes have to put up with, be prepared for, etc. I would LOVE it! Now way do I keep myself that is easy to be a good RPSGT!
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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A one-week training course sounds fascinating, Dave Hargett! A chance to discover and get somewhat of an idea of just what an RPSGT must do, must understand and what they sometimes have to put up with, be prepared for, etc. I would LOVE it! No way do I fool myself that is easy to be a good RPSGT!
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Permalink Reply by Rock Hinkle on -
Did you go through one of the Astep programs? I love what I do!
Dave Hargett said:Rock,
While I've been around sleep for a while, I only recently was elected as the "public" member of the Board of Directors of the BRPT. I'm not a sleep technologist myself (although I have taken a one-week training course). I represent the "public" who is served well by the RPSGT credential and the sleep techs who help all of us patients!
Rock Hinkle said:Nice to meet you Dave Hargett!
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Permalink Reply by Rock Hinkle on
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Check with your local hospitals. Some of them offer 80 hour courses training on sleep. Do they have Community Hospitals in Michigan?
Judy said:A one-week training course sounds fascinating, Dave Hargett! A chance to discover and get somewhat of an idea of just what an RPSGT must do, must understand and what they sometimes have to put up with, be prepared for, etc. I would LOVE it! No way do I fool myself that is easy to be a good RPSGT!
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Permalink Reply by Mary J on -
This is an interesting field. Where do people get trained to be Sleep Tech's and how long of a program is it? Are there some "superstar" programs in this field at all?
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Permalink Reply by Rock Hinkle on
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There are a few different ways to become a tech. As of right now the requirements to become a tech are not that difficult. Basically you need to finish an online course that consist of 14 modules, or micro classes, and work in the field of polysomnography for 18 months. The modules teach you the basics of how to run a sleep study. This is my pathway. The following link is to the Board of Registered Polysomnograph Technologist(BRPT). It is the governing body for non-registered and RPSGTs. They are the testing body of the AASM(American Association of Sleep Medicine). For persons who are already in the medical field, ie Rock Conner RRT ,the pathway is a little different as far as the amount of time you have to work in the field.
http://www.brpt.org/
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a job in sleep without experience. I would recommend an 80 hour Astep program. However it is not required. Link below
http://www.aasmnet.org/astep/Providers.aspx
As of 7/1/10 anyone who has not completed the astep modules will have to enrole and complete an acredited college level program to be eligable to sit for the boards. Right now I believe there to be less than 15 in the country. At the moment Indiana has none.
Duane, Rock if I left anything out please feel free to jump in.
The following is a list of places to learn sleep medicine. Some of these places are just a week or two, some offer certificates, and some offer a degree. Which school you choose will depend on the following factors:
1. Does your state have minimum requirements? Some states have enacted legislation to require that only certain credentialed or experienced persons are performing sleep diagnostics.
2. Do you plan on sitting for your RPSGT exam before you complete the normal “18 month clinical experience” requirement? If you complete a school that the BRPT recognizes, you may qualify to sit for the exam sooner than 18 months. Please read the latest requirements on the BRPT website.
3. Do you have a healthcare background or degree? A credentialed nurse or respiratory therapist will have a good foundation to take an accelerated course, while a person with no medical training or degree will benefit from a school offering an associates higher.
Please reply to this thread with any additions or changes to this list.
School of Sleep Medicine, Inc.
650-326-1296
CME, CEU
Palo Alto, CA 94306 USA
School of Clinical Polysomnography
Medford, OR
http://www.synapsemedia.com/school/index.htm
Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine & Technology
Established 1992
404-303-3385 www.sleepschool.com
Certificate with CEU/CME
ACCME accredited
Course Director: Dr Russell Rosenberg
Education Coordinator: Gail Reid
Lead Instructor: Terrence Malloy
Crozer-Chester Medical Center
School of Clinical Neurophysiology
One Medical Center Blvd. • Upland, PA 19013 • (610) 447-2691
Program Director: Kellee Trice, R.EEG/EP.T., RPSGT
Medical Director: Lawrence Green, M.D.
kellee.trice@crozer.org
Erwin Technical Center
School of Electroneurodiagnostic Technology
2010 E. Hillsborough Avenue • Tampa, FL 33610 • (813) 231-1800 ext. 2441
Program Director: Henry Coet, III, R.EEG.T
Medical Director: David Dillenback, M.D.
coet@popmail.firn.edu
Labouré College
Electroneurodiagnostic Technology Program
2120 Dorchester Avenue • Boston, MA 02124 • (617) 296-8300 ext. 4043
Program Director: Jean Farley, MA, R.EEG.T.
Jwilskiing@beld.net
Mayo School of Health Sciences
Clinical Neurophysiology Technology Program
Siebens 1016
200 1st St. SW • Rochester, MN 55905 • (507) 284-1255
Program Director: Jan Buss, R.ED.T
Medical Director: Michael Siber, M.D.
buss.Jan@mayo.edu
Orange Coast College
Neurodiagnostic Technologist Program
2701 Fairview Road • P.O. Box 5005
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5005 • (714) 432-5591
Program Director: Walt Bancozi, R.EEG/EP.T., CNIM, RPSGT
Medical Director: Paul Selecky, M.D.
Associate degree (AA), or a one year continuance from either Neurodiagnostics or Respiratory Therapy.
wbanoczi@cccd.edu
Western Wisconsin Technical College
Electroneurodiagnostic Technology Program
304 North 6th St. • P.O. Box 908
LaCrosse, WI 54602-0908 • (608) 785-9253
Program Director: Clayton Pollert, R.EEG.T.
Medical Director: Greg Fischer, M.D.
pollertc@wwtc.edu
Scott Community College
Electroneurodiagnostic Program
500 Belmont Rd., Bettendorf, IA 52722
Program Director: Amber Timmerman, R.EE/EP.T., RPSGT
atimmerman@eicc.edu
Kirkwood Community College
Electroneurodiagnostic Tech Program
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW/PO Box 2068
Cedar Rapids, IA- 52406-9973
Rebecca Meng
(319) 356-8768
Holland Sleep
Basic Sleep Medicine and Polysomnography
MCH - Centre for Sleep and Wake Disorders - Lijnbaan 32 - 2512 VA Den Haag
tel: +31-621565804 (Maud Verhelst))
Certificate of attendance.
Ohio Sleep Medicine Institute
4975 Bradenton Avenue
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 766.0773
Sleep Health Management Resources, Inc.
Phoenix, Chicago area, Charlotte
CEU/CRCE
Custom In-lab programs available
Accreditation Consultation
Interim Scoring Services
t: 815-298-0696
www.sleep-health.com
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Permalink Reply by Dave Hargett on
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Just to clarify, you can work in the field as a sleep tech without being registered. In fact you have to have some experience before you can take the registry exam. Requirements are changing. Also, the BRPT is independent and is not the "testing body of the AASM". The AASM is the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (the sleep docs group) and their testing for being board certified is an entirely different group. The AAST (American Academy of Sleep Technologists) is a membership group for sleep techs, both registered and non-registered. The BRPT is independent of that group as well, although we do work with them and were more closely joined in the past.
Even back in 2002, my one-week "school" cost me about $1500. Generally "graduates" of that course would already be working as a sleep tech or were seeking jobs as sleep techs. The course offered the necessary information and knowledge that was later supplemented by on-the-job-training with the sleep center where you were eventually hired to work.
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Permalink Reply by Rock Hinkle on
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Thanks for clarifying Dave. I had it the other way around. sorry guys.
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