Sleep medicine is a growing field with more than 100 sleep disorders identified, and an estimated 60 million people in the United States suffering from at least one sleep disorder, many of which are undiagnosed or untreated. Be part of the team that helps identify and treat those disorders with a certificate or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from Collin College. As a polysomnographic technologist, you will conduct the sleep studies that allow physicians to diagnose and treat patients suffering from sleep disorders, evaluate patient sleep data, and educate patients on their sleep disorders and how best to manage them.
Through the Polysomnographic Technology program, Collin College students are prepared to enter the growing and challenging field of sleep medicine by being equipped with the skills and fundamental knowledge to effectively monitor, manage, and treat sleep disorders under medical supervision. The program offers two degree options. The 22-month AAS degree track is for students who do not have a healthcare background. The 12-month certificate is for individuals who are board-registered in any healthcare field and/or have a minimum of one year of current work experience in a sleep lab/center.
Upon graduation from either award, the graduate is eligible to sit for the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists exam to become a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) and/or the American Board of Sleep Medicine exam to become a Registered Sleep Technologist (RST).
Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
Mathematics and science courses that are part of the curriculum but completed at a regionally accredited institution must have been completed within five years of the Fall semester of the admission year in order to receive transfer credits. The minimum passing grade for all Polysomnographic Technology lecture, lab and clinical course work is a C.
Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.
FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT
After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities-with or without accommodations-for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information on the Polysomnographic Technology website: http://www.collin.edu/sleep. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.
ACCREDITATION
The Collin College Polysomnographic Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (http://www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (http://www.coapsg.org). They may be contacted at:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727.210.2350
http://www.caahep.org
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained online at http://www.collin.edu/sleep or the Health Sciences Division Office. To apply, students must:
- Submit the required application form by the designated deadline
- Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
- Submit official copies of all college transcripts
- Complete Collin College reading, writing and mathematics assessments
- Complete the health exam with a satisfactory result
- Document acceptable findings on drug screens, background checks and physical/mental competencies
- Complete program admission criteria (see Admission Packet)
- Completion of immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) *
* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. Individuals unable to receive the HBV must inform the Program Coordinator. In such cases, the applicant must sign a declination form. All immunizations must be complete before assignment to clinical training.
Health Insurance - All Polysomnographic Technology students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to completion of all polysomnographic technology course work, students are required to complete and pass a capstone Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) practice exam and a comprehensive capstone clinical simulation. Both the RPSGT capstone exam and clinical simulation will take place during the final semester of the program award. If your program requires a criminal background check, your placement in a required clinical site, cooperative, practicum, internship, and/or licensure/certification opportunity may be impacted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your program director and check with your licensing/certifying entity, if any, to determine your status.
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