How is the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology different from other training programs?
For our introductory courses, we offer small classes of no more than 20-30 participants. This ensures that you get the most out of the courses. We also offer a variety of teaching modalities including lectures, hands-on scoring, as well as patient viewing. The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine has provided training to more than 4000 physicians, and technologists and allied healthcare professionals since its inception in 1992.
Is there a discount for sending more than one participant from an organization or hospital?
Yes. We can provide a 25% discount to the third and subsequent persons sent from one organization during a calendar year. We encourage multiple attendees from the same practice, sleep lab or hospital to ensure consistency and uniformity in training.
Are physicians and technologists in the same course?
Beginning in 2007, we made the decision to offer separate 4-day courses for physicians and 7-day courses for technologists. This decision was made after a careful examination of content requirements for both groups.
Do you provide any type of subscription service in which a sleep center can enroll its physicians and technologists in a series of courses from introductory through board certification?
Yes, we can recommend a course of study, design a sequence of courses, or customize a program for any center that wishes to embark on a structured training program.
What physician specialties qualify to take the sleep medicine board certification exam?
During the 5-year period 2007-2012, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, otolaryngology and family practice physicians are eligible to meet the requirements for board certification in sleep medicine. After 2011, an approved one-year fellowship in sleep medicine will be required.
Does completion of the technologist training course allow one to sit for the registry exam?
No, satisfactory completion of the A-STEP program enables one to work as a polysomnographic trainee in a sleep laboratory. There are experience requirements established by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (http://www.brpt.org/) that must be met prior to taking the examination to certify as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT).
Do you offer any financing options?
Private loans for our courses are available through American General Financial Services. There is no application fee, and the company offers a variety of loan sizes to meet your needs. Simply visit http://www.agfinance.com/ and select, "Apply Now" to see if you qualify. There are over 1,300 branches across the United States, and filling out a form will put you in contact with the branch closet to you.
If you live in the city of Atlanta you can use the local American General Branch that we have partnered with.
Dunwoody AG Financial Branch
4490 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30338
(770) 451-7001
Where should new technologists look for employment opportunities?
Employment opportunities in sleep centers can be found by contacting local hospitals, private sleep labs, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) companies. In addition to professional sleep publications and newspaper classified sections, new technologists should look at on-line postings on the AAST and the BRPT web sites. Regional and national sleep meetings are also excellent sources for job board listings.
What are salary expectations for a new sleep technologist?
There are many factors that should be considered in determining appropriate salary for sleep technologists. Regional variations, related experience, and differential payment for night-time shift work are considerations. The 2007 AAST Salary and Benefits Survey summarizes detailed wage and benefits information received from 156 accredited sleep centers throughout the United States. This publication can be purchased from the American Association of Sleep Technologists. SLEEP REVIEW examines compensation issues for sleep technologists in the September 2007 issue of the magazine.