1. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
Sleep Technologists Health Care Professionals Dedicated to Improving the Quality of Life through Better Sleep
The American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) has developed this PowerPoint presentation to create awareness and educate high school students, state legislatures and regulators and the general public about the sleep technology profession. The script provided under each slide in this presentation can be modified to meet the needs of the audience (i.e. job fair, public education/outreach programs, etc.). The AAST is proud to help you serve and promote the sleep technology profession in your community.
INTRODUCTION:
Introduce yourself and mention your employer. Also mention that 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. The AAST developed this presentation to create awareness and educate the public about the sleep technology profession.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

2. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
What is your dream job?
In today’s work place there are many career opportunities to choose from. What is your dream job? Doctor, Dentist, Construction Worker, Professional Football Player, Sleep Technologist, Veterinarian?
Some may dream of working outdoors, some dream of physical activities to keep them busy, and many want to help in the healthcare field.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

3. Have you dreamed about being a Sleep Technologist!!!!
Career opportunity
Competitive salaries
Growing profession
Lifetime learning
Are you interested in working in a profession that has several career paths and advancement opportunities (discuss them), competitive salaries (review compensation), rapidly growing filed, lifelong education and training? You may want to consider a career in sleep technology.
(Everyone in this field has an interesting story about how they became a sleep technician share your story at this point).
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

4. Rewarding Career What 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 nights stay at the sleep center.
Every career has rewarding moments. In the sleep technology profession you can help your patients prevent potential health consequences that may have an immediately affect on their life and daily activities.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

5. 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.
Sleep technology is a rapidly growing profession in which many medical disciplines are involved. Such as pulmonology, neurology, and psychology. These disciplines in their own right are astonishing but sleep has opened a new light into these fields.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

6. Examples of Pulmonology-related Sleep Disorders
Sleep Apnea
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Snoring
Pulmonary related sleep disorders are probably the most recognized in the public and in media today. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has exploded onto the scene as one of the major sleeps disorders that affects us today. Some public figures deaths have been contributed to sleep apnea. State laws have been developed to prevent drowsy driving and the US Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board, the FMCSA, and others are developing guidelines for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

7. Examples of Neurology-related Sleep Disorders
Narcolepsy
Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
REM Behavior Disorder
Nocturnal Seizures
Although much of the public awareness these days have been on OSA there are countless other sleep related disorders such as narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements of sleep, nocturnal seizures, and REM behavior disorders. These in there own right have been high publicized, but in much more of a laughable context.
( Insert clever story or case studies of narcoleptic/ cataplectic dogs or sleep walking)
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

8. Examples of Psychology-related Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Nightmares
Night Terrors
Of course most people in their lifetime have encountered a scary creature in their dreams or nightmares for that matter. The psychology related sleep disorders definitely keep a technologist interested. One of the more common disorders, insomnia, can make a patient pull their hair out but with professionals near by this disorder is manageable.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

9. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
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.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

10. 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.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

11. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
Diagnostic Testing
Sleep Technologists administer sleep testing procedures which include:
Diagnostic Polysomnographic Test
Multiple Sleep Latency Test
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
CPAP/Bi-Level titrations
Most diagnostic testing is performed during the patients “normal hours of sleep” with the exception of alertness testing, MWT, and sleepiness testing, MSLT. Therapeutic testing such as, CPAP and Bilevel, are also performed during patients “normal sleeping hours” but offer significant improvement for patients sleep disorders.
(Also discuss how patients are set up and monitored)
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

12. Standard Polysomnogram 1
This is an actual snap shot of time what a sleep professional calls an 30 second epoch. This particular snap shot was taken from a female teen patient.
(Go in detail about this snap shot, i.e stage, channels, what is seen in each. Explain what a technologist may be looking for or treating.)
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

13. Standard Polysomnogram 2
This epoch represents a snap shot of 5 min. of a patients study. Some obvious events on this page include central apnea with significant desaturations.
(Go in detail about this snap shot, i.e stage, channels, what is seen in each. Explain what a technologist may be looking for or treating.)
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

14. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
“A Good Night’s Work”
Patient arrival at sleep center
Patient education
Patient set-up
Clear signal readings
Documentation of patient’s readings.
Every job has expectations. Sleep technology is no different. Typically in a sleep disorders center a goodnights work is when “… Your patient is satisfied with their experience, and happy and the polysomnogram is a good study.”
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

15. “Don’t be left in the dark. Get into the field of Sleep Technology!”
AASM
A-STEP
Program
CoAPSG
Certificate Programs
Education in any profession will provide you with the tools and knowledge to grow. There are many AASM A-STEP programs and others designed to educate you on the background of sleep and also applications to apply your knowledge in the field.
AASM A-STEP Program consist of two steps, 80 instructional hours (STEP 1) and 18 months of on-the-job training (STEP 2).
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

16. Need for Technologists
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). 5-28% have mild form of OSA.
There is a tremendous opportunity for individuals interested in working in the sleep technology profession. While there are approximately 10,000 Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT’s) and more than 1200 sleep disorder centers accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine around the country, there will be more opportunities as the sleep medicine community expands to meet the needs of patients around the country.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

17. “Credentialing through the BRPT is essential”
The registry exam given by
the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is the ‘gold standard’
for professional sleep technologists.
The credential of “RPSGT” is recognized throughout the world as the only technical credential in the field of sleep Technology.
The credential is being required in some states in order to work in the field.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

18. “How do I maintain my certification?”
Maintaining the RPSGT credential requires continuing education
50 Continuing Education Credits of sleep-related education is required every 5 years to maintain the credential
Many organizations offer continuing educational courses, locally, nationally and internationally
Like many other healthcare professions, Sleep Technologists are required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their competency and stay current.
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

19. “What could I be doing if I go into this field?”
Advancing Your Career in Sleep Technology!!!!
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

20. Levels of Polysomnographic Technologist
Polysomnographic Trainee
Polysomnographic Technician
Polysomnographic Technologist
Specialty Technologist
(Describe the difference between the level of technicians and technologist).
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

21. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
Other jobs
Scorers
Shift Supervisors
Clinical Supervisors
Sleep Manager/Directors
Durable Medical Equipment Specialists
(Explain job descriptions, responsibilities, and duties).
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

22. 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
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

23. 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
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists

24. © 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists
Sleep Organizations
For more information regarding sleep related organizations, please visit the AAST Web site at
© 2007 American Association of Sleep Technologists