Certificate
National Exam Eligible State Certification Eligible | Approx. Cost
$3,500 | Approx. Length
4 semesters | A.S.
required for
completion | Prerequisites
Al H A010, Biol A221,
G.E. for A.S. degree |
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, respiration, 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 disorder 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 these 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 disorder 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 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
Allied Health A010: Health Occupations
Biology A221: Human Anatomy & Physiology
Math and General Education Requirements (#3 and 4a-d in the College Catalog) for the Associate of Science degree, approximately 18 units
Associate of Science Degree
This is an Associate of Science degree program.
Does this program transfer?
No. This is the only
CAAHEP accredited program in the State of California.
Procedure for program admittance
All students must complete the course Allied Health A010 – Health Occupations in order to apply to the program. Students are selected and admitted to the program on a first come, first serve basis following completion of Allied Health A010. Students must be admitted to the program in order to enroll in any PSG class.
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.
Salaries
Ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 annually or higher depending upon position, employer and location.
Courses within the program which students can take while seeking admission to the program (subject to catalog restrictions)
Allied Health A111: Medical Terminology
Allied Health A120: Human Diseases
Allied Health A130: Applied Pharmacology
Human Development A180: Child Development
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/drug screen check. The background check will include Fingerprints - LIVESCAN, County Criminal Records (past 7 years), Residency History Search, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry (OIG/GSA), Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry and a California DMV report. The drug screening will include THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, propoxyphene and methadone. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.
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:
A physical examination
Criminal background/drug screen check clearance
CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115
-
Student liability insurance
Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, other program specific requirements.
Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work. There may be exposure to hazardous materials and infectious pathogens in the clinical setting. Students will adhere to all safety and standard 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.
Statistics for Positive Placement Outcomes as Required by CoA - PSG
PSG POSITIVE PLACEMENT OUTCOMES
|
Year |
Positive Placement % |
Notes |
|---|
| 2012 | 0.0% | Classes graduate every other year (odd years) |
| 2013 | 70.6% | |
| 2014 | 0.0% | Classes graduate every other year (odd years) |
Accreditation of Program
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). For more information, go to
www.caahep.org
Program Student Learning Outcome
The goal of the program is to meet the needs of the local health care community by preparing students for entry level employment as a professional and competent Polysomnographic Technologist.
Other
Polysomnography is closely related to Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Technology, making cross-training from these areas very desirable.
Contact information
Daniel Lane, Program Coordinator Caryn Plum, Allied Health Advisor
Office: ALHSC 208 B Office: CS&D 101 C
Phone: 714-432-0202 x23854 714-432-5945
Alexia Wood
Allied Health Program Assistant: 714-432-5729
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