Technologist Courses

Thank you for your interest in the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology. We offer a comprehensive program of study that includes an 80-hour course for entry level sleep technologists entitled Essentials of Sleep Technology: An A-STEP Accredited Course. This course is also designed for allied healthcare professionals who are new to sleep medicine or those who may benefit from a formalized course of study in the field.

The A-STEP curriculum has been developed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a comprehensive introduction to sleep technology for the novice technologist.

The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine has developed an A-STEP program ideally suited to the needs of the adult learner.

The first 24 hours of the course are comprised of interactive online modules. You can study at your own pace in the comfort of your home or office. These modules are to be completed prior to the live course. Take advantage of a curriculum that introduces new material and reinforces learning through narration and illustration, practice questions and answers, glossary terms, and key take-away points. Try a Sample A-STEP Lesson.

Enrollees without a healthcare or patient-oriented background will become familiar with concepts and terms that are part of daily interaction in a medical setting. Experienced medical professionals may find that some of the online material is a review, but presented in a new and fresh way focused on the particulars of sleep medicine and technology.

During the 7-day live program, course work focuses on didactic presentations mixed with the practical component of preparing patients for sleep studies, acquiring data, as well as staging and scoring. Faculty for the course include: registered polysomnographic technologists, respiratory therapists, and board certified sleep specialists.

Tuition for the program also includes the cost of the required text Fundamentals of Sleep Technology.

* Tuition for the program includes the cost of the required text, The Fundamentals of Sleep Technology as well as the A-STEP examination administration fees up to 90 days after completion of the live program.

Private loans for this course 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 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 closest to you.

Here are a few facts about the loans:

• Private Student Loan
• Based on credit and ability to pay
• Finances education and travel costs
• No application fees
• Different loan sizes available
• Montly payments
• Allows co-applicants
  
  

Interested in registering for an upcoming course? Visit our registration page to sign-up for a course. Space is reserved only by deposit or full payment on a first come, first serve basis. To guarantee a space for your preferred course date, please submit a completed registration form with a deposit of $500. The remaining balance must be paid three weeks prior to the start of the course. The School reserves the right to terminate enrollment, if the unpaid balance is not received prior to the due date.

Cancellations or changes must be received in writing. Cancellations or changes made less than three weeks prior to the course will result in a loss of $500 of the tuition. Those received less than five business days prior to the course will result in Full Forfeiture of Tuition. Please do not finalize travel arrangements until your registration has been confirmed by our office in writing. Please allow four business days for confirmation by e-mail. Confirmations will also be sent out via U.S. Priority Mail. Registrations cannot be confirmed by phone or by fax. Confirmation details for courses are also posted on the website www.sleepschool.com. If you have any further questions regarding the program, please contact the education staff by e-mail.

Course Content

TOPICS INCLUDED IN THE ESSENTIALS OF SLEEP TECHNOLOGY

• The Role of the Polysomnographic Tech
• Hookup Procedures
• Electrode Placement
• Instrumentation
• Tech Documentation
• Artifact Recognition and Correction
• CPAP - Clinical Interface and Titration
• Sleep Stage Scoring
• Normal Sleep
• Limb Movement Disorders
• Sleep Disordered Breathing
• CPAP and Bi-level Titration and Compliance
• Surgical Approaches for Sleep Disordered Breathing
• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome>
• Recording and Scoring of Respiratory Activity
• Narcolepsy
• MSLT/MWT; Technique, indication and interpretation
• Insomnia
• Parasomnias
• Nocturnal Seizures
• Pediatric Sleep Disorders
• Review of Polysomnograms
• Overview of the Registry Exam Process

ESSENTIALS OF SLEEP TECHNOLOGY COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To introduce and review basic medical terminology and medical concepts
2. To introduce and review basic sleep medicine and sleep technology terminology and concepts
3. To recognize and describe the purpose and use of equipment in polysomnography
4. To demonstrate accepted standards of electrode and sensor placement
5. To recognize and describe the fundamental rules of polysomnographic analysis
6. To explore and assess the role of the technologist in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient with sleep related breathing disorders
7. To examine normal sleep and sleep disorders from a multi-disciplinary medical perspective.

Pre-Requisites

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Basic computer skills

Course Requirements

In order to receive a certification of completion for the 80-hour A-STEP training program, the following terms must be accepted by the student. Any exception to the policy is at the discretion of the A-STEP director.

• Agreement to adhere to the Code of Conduct
• Agreement to demonstrate a competent mock patient hook up to the satisfaction of a technical instructor
• Agreement to complete the online 24 hour component within the time specified by the School
• Agreement to attend all lectures and workshops during the live 7-day session.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for individuals without experience who wish to enter the field of sleep technology. It is also appropriate for the new sleep technologist or allied healthcare professional, who seeks an introduction to or review of sleep medicine and polysomnography.

Atlanta courses are offered in our classroom facility at Center Pointe II, 1100 Johnson Ferry Rd., Suite 580, Atlanta, GA 30342. Technician attendees will utilize nearby affiliate sleep laboratories for the practical hands-on component of the course.

All courses offered by the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine & Technology are the sole property of the School, therefore any unauthorized distribution of course material is strictly prohibited including the sharing of student login information. Any students who violate the terms and conditions of use for School owned material will be restricted from accessing any further courses, without receiving a refund for their purchase. Any questions or concerns regarding this disclaimer may be directed to sleepschool.administrator@sleepschool.com or by phone at (678) 651-2000.