Print Handheld Contrast

Four Week Sleep Technologist Education Program

We are Canada's first Sleep Technology Education program to be approved by the BRPT as an alternate educational pathway to establishing eligibility to sit for the RPSGT exam.

*completion of this program does not guarantee a position with the LHSC Sleep Lab

Course:

Objectives:

To introduce new technician trainees to the basics of polysomnography and the science underlying the diagnosis and management of the more common adult sleep disorders. With a curriculum based on both the A-STEP curriculum and the BRPT exam outline, students will be prepared to perform sleep studies as well as have a solid foundation and the needed eligibility requirement for the polysomnography registry exam.

The London Health Sciences Centre Sleep Education curriculum has been designated by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) as an alternate educational pathway for purposes of establishing Pathway 1 eligibility to sit for the RPSGT exam. The curriculum is not recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for purposes of AASM facility accreditation.

Outline:

Professional Issues:

Presents an overview of the history of Sleep Medicine, the role of the Polysomnographic Technician and Technologist as outlined in the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Job Descriptions. The BRPT Standards of Conduct, professional associations, policies & procedures and issues related to confidentiality will also be discussed.

Anatomy and Physiology:

The student will study the cardiac, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal systems. Topics include:

Cardiopulmonary: ventilation, diffusion, blood flow, gas transport, acid-base balance, mechanics and regulation of ventilation, and basic cardiac function and arrhythmias.

Basic neurophysiology: the nervous system, anatomy and physiology of the neuron and electroencephalogram generation.

Musculoskeletal system: muscles of the airway and limbs as they relate to respiratory and non-respiratory sleep disorders.

Sleep Disorders: Respiratory and Non-Respiratory:

This course will cover the clinical features, consequences and treatments of a wide range of sleep disorders including but not limited to: Obstructive, central, mixed and complex sleep apneas, movement disorders (PLMs, RLS, bruxism), narcolepsy, parasomnias and seizure disorders.

Basic Polysomnography:

Topics covered include normal sleep architecture over the human lifespan, sleep stage recognition, routine montages and collection. Students will have ample hands on experience preparing patients and performing calibrations and collections while ensuring proper documentation

Instrumentation:

This module presents the principles of basic electricity necessary for polysomnography and emphasizes signal amplification and filtration, characteristics of waveforms, and recognition of artifacts. The principles behind the function and calibration of recording and ancillary equipment as well as electrical safety will also be covered.

Scoring:

This introductory scoring course will discuss the characteristics of the various sleep stages: Non-REM Stages along with Stage REM, as outlined in the R&K Manual and more recently in the new AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. Students will be introduced to visual, arousal, cardiac, movement and respiratory rules. Both paper and digital polysomnographic examples will be used. We will also touch on scoring MSLT’s. Students will have ample opportunity to practice scoring one-on-one with an experienced RPSGT.

Special Topics in Sleep:

During these sessions students will be introduced to pediatric sleep, medication effects in sleep, alpha intrusion etc.

Calendar:

Fall and Spring enrollment

Flexible ongoing enrollment also available on request

Certificate granted:

Certificate of Completion

Educational prerequisites:

Minimum secondary school diploma or equivalent or

Post secondary education or

Previous healthcare related experience

Proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS, COPE)

Offer of Admission:

Subject to fulfilling all of the LHSC Student Requirements, including but not limited to:

• Health Screening
• Criminal Background Screening
• As well as, proof of valid BCLS
  

Costs:

Tuition $3000 for Two-week didactic and clinical training in the classroom setting

$1100 for Clinical training in the Lab

We require a $15 application fee and a $150 non refundable deposit. Balance required prior to the start of the program.

Registration

Please contact us to register

---