Polysomnography Certificate/Area of Specialization (3250)

The mission of the Polysomnographic Technologist Program at Lakeland Community College is to serve students and the healthcare community preparing graduates to perform entry-level polysomnographic studies at the trainee/technician level. Upon completion, graduates may apply for the registered Polysomnographic Technologist Board Exam. The program is one year in length, comprised of three consecutive semesters. The second and third semesters include a clinical round at a local sleep lab. Graduates will perform overnight and daytime sleep studies as well as titration polysomnography.

Hospital and privately owned sleep labs employ sleep technologists at the trainee/technician level to conduct the diagnostic polysomnographic studies, and the registered polysomnographic technologist for expanded functions. The multiple parameters including within a sleep study provide an extremely comprehensive evaluation of the patients’ health and allows the physicians to diagnose many different sleep disorders and other comorbidities. The role of the sleep technician is one with great ethical responsibility and importance and can change the lives of the patients they serve.

Students in the polysomnography certificate specialization will gain knowledge in medical terminology, pharmacology, sleep science, bio-electricity studies (EKG, EEG, EMG), respiratory monitoring, cardiopulmonary physiology, polysomnography, treatment modalities, and anatomy and physiology.

All students enrolled in a nursing or allied health program/certificate must complete a criminal background check. In accordance with clinical site requirements, students with a criminal record may be ineligible to participate in a clinical course/rotation/practicum. Delays, for any reason, in obtaining background results may cause an interruption in the clinical rotation sequence or inability to complete program requirements. Additional background screening may be required by individual facilities.

Drug testing may be requested in accordance with clinical affiliation requirements and/or for patient/student health and safety.

A minimum GPA of 2.0 and a "C" grade or higher is required in all science and program-specific courses for graduation. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades may not be used to fulfill health program requirements.

Students must apply for admission to this certificate/area of specialization. Students should contact the Counseling and Advising Center for details about applying for admission to the program.

NOTE: Completion of HLTH 1215 Medical Terminology for Health Professions is highly recommended prior to admission to the program.

After completion of the certificate, students may choose to continue their education and earn the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Multi-Skilled Health Technology. Polysomnography certificate courses are applicable toward the AAS degree.

Students must apply for admission to this certificate/area of specialization. Students should contact the Counseling and Advising Center for details about applying for admission to the program.