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Sleep Technologists Health Care Professionals. The American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) is a national health care membership association of professionals dedicated to improving the quality of sleep and wakefulness in all people. . What would be your dream job???.
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Sleep TechnologistsHealth Care Professionals The American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) is a national health care membership association of professionals dedicated to improving the quality of sleep and wakefulness in all people.
Have you dreamed about being a Sleep Technologist!!!! • Levels of opportunity • Competitive salaries • Job security • Lifetime learning
Rewarding CareerWhat do Sleep Technologists do? • Many of the patients that are seen suffer from severe sleep deprivation. • Play a key role in preventing major health problems in both adults and children. • You have the opportunity to change a person’s life in one night’s stay at the sleep center.
Enjoy A Rewarding Career Sleep Technology is the study of sleep, sleep disorders, and the treatment of sleep disorders. Sleep technology and medicine involve many medical disciplines, but primarily: Pulmonology, Neurology, and Psychology.
Examples of Pulmonology-related Sleep Disorders • Sleep Apnea • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome • Snoring
Examples of Neurology-related Sleep Disorders • Narcolepsy • Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder • REM Behavior Disorder • Nocturnal Seizures
Examples of Psychology-related Sleep Disorders • Insomnia • Nightmares • Night Terrors
Why Sleep Technology? • Sleep Technology is a growing field. • Advances in polysomnographic equipment and digital recordings. • The best way to enter the field is through sleep technology. • There are many advancements and wide range of job opportunities.
Polysomnography is Sleep Technology • Polysomnography is a comprehensive recording of the bio-physiological changes that occur during sleep. • Polysomnography is usually performed at night or during normal sleep times by a sleep technologist.
Sleep Technologists administer sleep testing procedures which include: Diagnostic Polysomnographic Test Multiple Sleep Latency Test Maintenance of Wakefulness Test CPAP/Bi-Level titrations Diagnostic Testing
“A Good Night’s Work” • Patient arrival at sleep center • Patient education • Patient set-up • Clear signal readings • Documentation of patient’s readings.
“Don’t be left in the dark. Get into the field of Sleep Technology!” AASM • A-STEP Program • CoA PSG • Certificate Programs
Need for Techs • Qualified technologists will be needed to treat these patients. • The need for qualified technologists is higher than ever. • Sleep Technology has been predicted to have tremendous growth over the next 10 years. • Approximately 20 million adults in America have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
“Credentialing is Essential” • Three organizations offer a credentialing exam for Sleep Technologists • American Board of Sleep Medicine • Registered Sleep Technologist • Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists • Registered Polysomnographic Technologist • National Board of Respiratory Care • Sleep Disorders Specialty • In some states a Sleep Technology Credential is required in order to work in the profession.
“How do I maintain my education?” • Maintaining the RPSGT credential requires continuing education. • A specific amount of sleep-related educational hours are required every 5 years to maintain the credential. • Many organizations offer continuing educational courses, locally, nationally and internationally.
“What could I be doing if I go into this field?” Advancing Your Career in Sleep Technology!!!!
Levels of Polysomnographic Technologist • Polysomnographic Trainee • Polysomnographic Technician • Polysomnographic Technologist • Specialty Technologist
Other jobs • Scorers • Shift Supervisors • Clinical Supervisors • Sleep Manager/Directors • Durable Medical Equipment Specialists
Industry Representative • Sales Many sleep companies hire RPSGTs in sales. • Installation Who can better anticipate your needs then a fellow tech? • Development Great ideas for use of equipment come from the technologists.
Teaching Opportunities • Many A-STEP programs need Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT’s). • Colleges are beginning sleep programs – why not share the knowledge? • Sleep organizations need speakers/teachers.
Sleep Organizations www.aastweb.orgwww.aasmnet.org www.absm.orgwww.brpt.org For more information regarding sleep related organizations, please visit the AAST Web site at www.aastweb.org