Sleep Technology (Polysomnography)
Program Description
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Sleep Technologists play a key role in the rapidly growing field of sleep disorders diagnosis and treatment. As a Sleep Technology student you will prepare, record and analyze clinical sleep studies, as well as provide patient care and education under the direction of a physician. The Sleep Technology degree program teaches the knowledge and skills needed to perform diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions for patients with sleep disorders.
Advantages
- Experienced sleep technologists can test-out of program coursework to earn credit toward the degree.
- The Sleep Technology program is one the few programs in the country that awards associate’s degrees.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Graduates are immediately eligible to sit for the national Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) examination.
- On average graduates make over \$22 per hour to start; experienced sleep technicians typically make about $30 per hour.
Program Details
Award Requirements and Course Descriptions & Outlines
Please select the award below to view the degree options and requirements in the college catalog.
- Sleep Technology (Polysomnography) A.A.S. Degree—60 credits
- Course Descriptions & Outlines
- Transfer Agreements
All students interested in the Sleep Technology (Polysomnography) program need to complete PSOM 1000 or HLTH 1000 prior to entering the program in the Spring. Students may complete the other specific general education courses (listed under the first semester curriculum) prior to acceptance into the program or while enrolled in the program. The PSOM program enrolls 24 students full time each spring.
What You Will Learn
- In the Sleep Technology program, you will learn the skills needed to perform high quality sleep studies.
- A knowledge of sleep disorders and therapeutic interventions used to help patients attain healthy sleep is the basis of the field study.
- You will learn to work with a variety of equipment to perform diagnostic sleep studies and therapeutic interventions with patients.
- You will attain essential skills related to teamwork, communication and professionalism.
- You will become competent in working with diverse patients across the lifespan.
Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities
We have an active student club associated with this program to support your participation in professional conferences at state and national levels.
Program Start & Location
Classes are held on the Minneapolis College campus, online and at participating internship sites. The program starts in the spring semester, however you will need to successfully complete first semester courses before starting the courses for this major. Experienced sleep technologists have the opportunity to complete all courses online and receive credit by examination for accelerated degree completion.
Professional Licensure or Certification Disclosure
Successful completion of the Sleep Technology (Polysomnography) meets the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the national Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPST) examination. Minneapolis College is required to identify if our degree meets the educational requirements outside of Minnesota. More information can be found by visiting the Licensure/Certification Disclosures webpage.
Additional requirements such as state-specific examinations, background checks, feed, additional training, experience and coursework, etc. may apply.
If you have further questions about Sleep Technology licensure, please feel free to reach out to Heidi Aldes, Interim Dean of Enrollment Management.
Program Placement Outcomes
2019 - Data not yet available
2018
- Total Survey Respondents - 14
- Employed full or part-time in related field - 5
- Continuing education - 7
- Employed or Continuing Education - 12/14 86%
- Total graduates - 17
2017
- Total Survey Respondents - 14
- Employed full or part-time in related field - 7
- Continuing education - 2
- Employed or Continuing Education - 9/14 64%
- Total graduates - 19
2016
- Total Survey Respondents - 13
- Employed full or part-time in related field - 13
- Continuing education - 0
- Employed or Continuing Education - 13/13 100%
- Total graduates - 13
Data from Minneapolis College Graduate Follow-up Survey
Occupational Outlook
As the population ages, medical and clinical laboratory technician jobs are expected to increase by 14% between 2016 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. This growth is about as fast as average for all occupations. The salary outlook for registered polysomnographic technologists is excellent, with PayScale.com reporting that registered polysomnographic technologists earned a median salary of $50,878 as of 2019.
Where You Could Work
- Clinical sleep laboratories
- Sleep studies are performed in a variety of settings, from hospital rooms to patient’s bedrooms.
- Additional employment opportunities exist in research or pediatric laboratories, sleep clinics, and medical equipment providers and manufacturers.