Catalog Description of Program

Polysomnographic (PSG) Technology is an allied health specialty for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of sleep and daytime alertness.  The range of sleep disorders is varied but includes common disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, insomnias and many others.  PSG technologists operate a variety of sophisticated electronic monitoring devices which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movement, respiratory, blood oxygen and other physiological events.  Technologists are also involved in evaluation of various treatment methods.  PSG technologists are employed in Sleep Disorders Centers which can be located in medical centers, hospitals or clinic/office settings.  OCC’s PSG program offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree which will provide lectures, laboratory on campus, clinical experience at accredited sleep centers and physician lectures.  Graduates from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG Associate of Science degree with one additional year of study.   Many courses from these programs are directly related to polysomnography.  Students without those backgrounds can complete the A.S. PSG degree within two years (not including prerequisites and A.S general education requirements).  This program will accept students to begin in the fall of odd years.

Description of job for which program prepares students

Polysomnographic (PSG) Technology is an allied health specialty for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of sleep and daytime alertness.  The range of sleep disorders is varied but includes common disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, insomnias and many others.  PSG technologists operate a variety of sophisticated electronic monitoring devices which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movement, respiratory, blood oxygen and other physiological events.  Technologists are also involved in evaluation of various treatment methods.

OCC’s PSG program offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree which will provide lectures, laboratory on campus, clinical experience at accredited sleep centers and physician lectures.

A major emphasis of the program will be to prepare technologists for successful completion of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist national exam.

Graduates from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG A.S. degree in the program with one additional year’s study.  Many courses from these programs are directly related to polysomnography.  Students without these backgrounds can complete the program within two  years (not including prerequisites and A.S. degree general education requirements).

Required program prerequisites

          q  Allied Health 010: Health Occupations

          q  Biology 221: Human Anatomy and Physiology

          Recommended preparation:

          q Technology 040: Technical Math or equivalent or higher math
          []Completion of Associate of Science general education requirements

          []Intro to Computer Appl: CIS 100 

Associate of Science Degree

This is an Associate of Science degree program.  All Associate of Science Degree General Education requirements must be completed for graduation from the program. (See the OCC catalog for specific requirements)

Does this program transfer?

No.  This is the only college based accredited two-year program in California

Procedure for admittance

Selections are made from students successfully completing Allied Health 010.  The formal process and application folder is completed in the Allied Health 010 – Health Occupations course.  Allied Health 010 is available as an on-campus (highly recommended) or online Internet course (see class schedule). Applicants must meet all prerequisite requirements prior to admittance into the program.

Individuals with prior degree in Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care may complete this program in one year’s time (not including prerequisites or A.S. degree general education requirements).

Program start

Two year program starts in the fall semester of every odd-numbered year.  Cross training from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology program or Respiratory Care program starts in the fall semester of every even-numbered year.

Employment possibilities upon program completion

Sleep disorder centers located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and research facilities.

Employment prospects

Excellent

Salary

$40,000 - $50,000/ year or higher

Courses within the program which students can take while seeking admission to the program (subject to catalog restrictions)

          q  Allied Health 111: Medical Terminology

          q  Allied Health 120: Human Diseases

          q  Allied Health 130: Applied Pharmacology

          q  Human Development 180: Child Development

          q  CIS 100: Introduction to Information Systems and Microcomputer Applications

Length of program

Two years: Four semesters and one Intersession.  Graduates from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG Associate of Science degree in one year (two semesters and one intersession).

Spaces available

24

Background checks

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background check.  The background check will include Social Security number, address verification, a two-county felony criminal history, a State sex offender search, and a Medicare/Medicare Sanctioned Fraud List verification (OIG/GSA) search.  The background checks will be performed by a service provided by the District and must be completed prior to beginning of the first clinical rotation.  The student understands that the results of background checks must be provided to the clinical sites before patient care or clinical work commences.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Just prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:

          q  A physical examination

          q  Criminal background check clearance

          q  CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115

          q  Student liability insurance

Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, nametag, and other program specific requirements.

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials or pathogens in the clinical setting.  Students will adhere to all safety and precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

Employment prospects

Sleep disorder centers located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and research facilities.

Accreditation of program

This program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) under our Neurodiagnostic Technology Program. For further information, go to www.caahep.org.

Other

Polysomnography is closely related to Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Technology, making cross-training from these areas very desirable.

Contact information

Walt Banoczi, Program Coordinator          Dan Adelmann, Allied Health Advisor

Office: C& L 100-E                               Office: C&L 114 B

wbanoczi@occ.cccd.edu                                  dadelmann@occ.cccd.edu

714-432-5591                                                714-432-5702 appts
                                                                   714-432-5541

Allied Health Program Assistant
Jane McLaughlin
714-432-5729