Polysomnography is an overnight test to evaluate sleep disorders. It generally includes monitoring of the patient's airflow through the nose and mouth, blood pressure, electrocardiographic activity, blood oxygen level, brain wave pattern, eye movement, and the movement of respiratory muscles and limbs.

Role of the Registered Polysomnography Technologist (RPSGT)

Polysomnography technologists are distinct members of the allied health care community. The position requires the practitioner to be efficient in testing and diagnostic evaluation of sleep and neurological disorders. The technologist works hand in hand with other members of the allied health community, physicians, and medical equipment suppliers to ensure patients' sleep/neurological health is restored to the maximum functioning potential. Specifically the practitioner will be required to gather diagnostic data, perform data analysis which supports diagnosis, and make recommendations on the patient's behalf for all facets of neurological and/ or sleep disorders.

Career Opportunity

The demand for RPSGT personnel drastically exceeds the current supply. Sleep medicine is growing by leaps and bounds regionally, nationally, and internationally. The RPSGT can find employment in hospital nationwide, in independently owned sleep clinics, as a traveling sleep technician, home sleep scoring, or working for research facilities. Compensation is in line with or exceeds most allied health careers. Many RPSGTs already have an allied health credential and are looking to expand on their existing health care career or start an entirely new one.

Accreditation