Health Professions: Health Information Technology
An exciting three
semester program providing
the student with a solid foundation
of classroom,
lab,
and clinical training to perform diagnostic testing in the study of sleep.
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Prepare to perform diagnostic testing in the
study of sleep.
Preparing students for sitting for the national
board for Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.
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Welcome
to Polysomnography
Thank you for your interest in the Polysomnography
(PSG) Program. This web site includes information regarding
the profession and will guide you through the application process
for the Polysomnography Program.
Polysomnography is defined as a diagnostic test
during which a number of physiologic variables are measured
and recorded
during sleep. The registered sleep technologist sets up the
equipment on the patient, monitors, and scores the sleep test
results, which is then interpreted by the physician.
Applicants
for Polysomnography may come from individuals already credentialed
in a health care profession such as respiratory
therapy, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, registered
EEG technologist, EMT-P, or physician. Other applicants include
those individuals who do not meet the first group criteria.
The Polysomnography Program at Tidewater Community College
will fall under the Respiratory Therapy Program and program
accreditation will be through the Committee on Accreditation
for Respiratory Therapy (CoARC).
The demand for registered polysomnographers continues
to rise. Local and national laboratories are looking for qualified
polysomnographers.
Salaries for registered polysomnographers are competitive with
other health care professions such as nursing and respiratory
therapy. Employment opportunities include freestanding sleep
labs, physician offices, and Polysomnography labs within hospitals.
There are different job classifications in the field of Polysomnography.
Like most health care professions, polysomnographers may be
required to work shifts other than the usual 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information on Polysomnography may be found at http://aptweb.org/.
Information
Sessions
Information packets containing the information
on these pages can be downloaded at this site, or copies
of the necessary documents may be requested at (757) 822-7255.
If you have any additional questions, please call the Counseling
Center (757) 822-7212, or attend the Division of Health Professions
Polysomnography Information Session which is held on the
third Thursday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
in the Lynnhaven Building on the Virginia Beach Campus in
room E-108. Prospective students attendance at one of the
sessions is mandatory. The Health Professions Division also
holds an Open House for general program information on the
third Thursday of each month on the Virginia Beach Campus,
Room E-132 in the Lynnhaven Building. between 2:00 p.m. and
4:00 p.m.
Download the Health Professions Programs
and Open House Information flyer.
Know the Facts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Polysomnography is defined as a diagnostic test during which
a number of physiologic variables are measured and recorded during
sleep. Specifically, this diagnostic test captures the simultaneous
recording of the electrical activity of the brain (EEG), eye
movements (EOG), skeletal muscle activation (EMG), and heart
rhythm (ECG/EKG). This profession is used to diagnose many types
of sleep disorders including narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome,
REM behavior disorder, parasomnias, and sleep apnea. In summary,
it is a sleep study that involves recording brain waves for assessing
the quality of sleep, and airflow at the nose and mouth. The
registered sleep technologist sets up the equipment on the patient,
monitors, and scores the sleep test results, which is then interpreted
by the physician.
WHAT CREDENTIAL CAN I RECEIVE
UPON GRADUATION?
Upon successful completion of the program
at TCC, Polysomnography program graduates will be qualified
to
sit for the certification
examination offered through the Comprehensive Registry
Examination of the Board of Registered Technologists
(BRPT), which is the
accepted standard measure of competency in the field.
Polysomnography program graduates are eligible to sit for
the RPSGT exam
based on the following criteria:
Eighteen (18) months of paid clinical experience where on-the-job
duties performed are primarily Polysomnography,
or
Six (6) months of paid clinical experience where on the job duties
performed are primarily Polysomnography, and the applicant holds
a credential in an allied health field accepted by the BRPT (LPN;
RN; RRT; CRT;
R-EEG T; MD).
or
Successful completion of a program accredited by CAAHEP with
special recognition in Polysomnography (either add on or stand
alone).
WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAM?
The minimum prerequisite educational requirements include: high
school graduation or GED, and English and math placement. Students
may require developmental studies, which must be completed before
they are considered for admission to the program. It is recommended
that these tests be taken as early as possible in case developmental
course work is required prior to start of program. Students should
call the Counseling Center at (757) 822-7212 for testing dates.
Previous college transcripts must be sent to Tidewater Community College, Central Records/Office of the Registrar,P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509-9000 to be evaluated for
credit. Students must attend an information session/interview
with program faculty.
ARE THERE JOBS AVAILABLE?
The field of sleep continues to expand. While enrolled in the
Polysomnography curriculum the student is able to work in a Polysomnography
lab as a Polysomnographic technician. Salaries are comparable
with other health care professions such as respiratory therapy
and nursing. Salaries vary from a technician to a Registered
Polysomnographer. Employment opportunities include freestanding
sleep labs, physician offices, and Polysomnography labs within
hospitals. Like most health care professions polysomnographers
may be required to work shifts other than the usual 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. More information on the Polysomnography may be found at
http://aptweb.org/.
ARE ALL CLASSES OFFERED ONLY DURING THE DAY?
The student can expect to have a mixture of days and nights
for classroom learning and clinical. Laboratory and clinical
sites will be located at various labs across the Tidewater area.
The Polysomnography classroom information will be offered at
the Virginia Beach campus. All non-Polysomnography classes may
be taken at any campus where the class is offered. For example:
BIO 141 may be taken at any of the TCC campuses.
MUST COURSES BE TAKEN IN THE
ORDER THEY APPEAR IN THE CURRICULUM?
Yes, you must take all Polysomnography courses
in the order in which they appear in the curriculum.
Each course prepares
you for the next course, and each is offered
only once a year. You may take any non-Polysomnography course
during
the semester
it appears in the curriculum or before that semester.
In order to remain in the Polysomnography program you must
pass
all classes
with a “C” or better.
HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK WILL I BE IN CLASS?
You will attend class an average of 11 hours a week during the
program. Of course, if you have already completed any required
course work you will attend class fewer hours.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO
COMPLETE THE POLYSOMNOGRAPHY PROGRAM?
The program is structured to be three semesters in length.
The first semester is non-Polysomnography courses that prepare
the
student for the Polysomnography classes and entry
into the health professions field. For those students who
currently are licensed
as a RRT, CRT, RN, R- EEG technician, EMT-Paramedic
or M.D. may not be required to take the non-Polysomnography
classes.
WHERE ARE THE CLINICAL ASSIGNMENTS IN THE PROGRAM?
Clinicals are scheduled at
many of the sleep labs in the Tidewater area. The student
will be responsible for commuting to the scheduled
clinical site.
ARE THERE ANY COSTS INVOLVED IN THE POLYSOMNOGRAPHY PROGRAM?
In addition to tuition, textbook(s), stethoscope, and membership
in The Association of Polysomnographic Technologists (APT) professional
organization costs, the student will be required to pay a one-time
fee of $50 for electronic data entry and storage. The total cost
exceeding tuition is approximately $300.00. Students are also
responsible for transportation and parking fees involved in commuting
to clinical sites.
ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS AVAILABLE TO SELECTED APPLICANTS?
Information on grants, loans and scholarships is available from
the Financial Aid Office and can be reached by calling (757)
822-7292. The Veterans Affairs Office will assist you with your
application if you are eligible for educational benefits and
can be reached by calling (757) 822-7235.
The Polysomnography Program begins in the fall
semester of each year. Program application deadline is April
15. Courses may require pre-requisites or a pre-test.
Prior to signing up for classes check with Jennifer Ferguson,
the program advisor, by calling 757-822-7413, or email
her.
Prospective students must first apply
to Tidewater Community College then submit an application
to the Health Professions Polysomnography Program by
the application deadline date. Additionally, you must submit
an “Evaluation
of Previous Educational Experience” form (if you
have had previous college credits) to the Central Records
Office, Portsmouth Campus in order to have your transcripts
evaluated for transferable credits to Tidewater Community
College. These forms are available at the links above or
in the Welcome and Entry Service Center, in the Princess
Anne Building on the Virginia Beach Campus, or you may contact
the Information Center by calling 757-822-1122..
Be sure to have official college transcripts
sent directly to Central Records Office, Tidewater Community
College, 7000 College Drive, Portsmouth, VA 23703 from the
appropriate institution's registrar. Please take the time to
verify receipt of your transcripts by calling 757-822-1900.
Only students with completed applications can be considered
for the program.
Prospective students are considered and ranked
according to the Health Professions Admissions priority scale
and date of application. Only fully qualified applicants will
be considered for the program. Program admission consideration
will be based on the academic record, date of application,
and area of residence. All in-service region students will
be given first priority. It is strongly recommended that applicants
apply early and make sure all transcripts are received before
the program application deadline.
Prospective students are required to attend an “Open
House” presentation. The Polysomnography Program holds
a program information Open House on the third Thursday of each
month on the Virginia Beach campus. You may come to Room E-108
in the Lynnhaven Building any time between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00
p.m. to ask any questions that you may have.
Admission
Requirements Check off List
The
following
steps
must
be
completed
as
soon
as
possible.
Please
check
each
item
as
you
complete
it.
_____
1.
Obtain
a
Polysomnography
Information
Packet.
Packets
are
available
at
the
Welcome
and
Entry
Service
Center
on
the
Virginia
Beach
Campus
(757-822-7172),
the
Counseling
office
(757-822-7211),
or
TCC
Information
Center
(757-822-1122)
or
their
web
site
www.tcc.edu.
_____
2.
Complete
and
return
an
Application
for
Admission
to
Tidewater
Community
College
to
the
TCC
Virginia
Beach
Campus
Welcome
and
Entry
Service
Center
in
the
Princess
Anne
Building,
Room
A-111.
_____
3.
Visit
the
Health
Professions
web
site
at:
http://www.tcc.edu/healthprofessions
to
learn
more
about
the
program,
including
frequently
asked
questions.
_____
4.
Attend
the
Polysomnography
Program
Open
House
held
on
the
third
Thursday
of
each
month
from
1:00
p.m.
to
2:00
p.m.
located
in
the
Lynnhaven
Building
room
E-108
on
the
Virginia
Beach
Campus.
_____
5.
Take
the
TCC
English
and
math
placement
tests
if
required.
It
is
recommended
you
take
them
as
soon
as
possible
to
allow
adequate
time
to
take
any
developmental
courses
required
prior
to
taking
any
PSG
courses.
Consult
the
Counseling
Center
for
information
concerning
your
need
to
take
these
tests
and
for
times
given.
_____
6
Submit
the
Health
Professions
Application
form
for
the
Polysomnography
Program
to
Jennifer
Ferguson,
Lynnhaven
Building,
Virginia
Beach
Campus,
or
mail
to
Jennifer
Ferguson,
Polysomnography
Program,
Health
Professions
Division,
Tidewater
Community
College,
1700
College
Crescent,
Virginia
Beach,
VA
23453
_____
7.
Have
official
college
transcripts
sent
directly
to
Tidewater
Community
College
Central
Records
Office,
7000
College
Drive,
Portsmouth,
VA
23703
from
the
appropriate
institution's
registrar.
Student
copies
are
not
acceptable.
Missing
transcripts
are
the
greatest
cause
of
delay
in
the
application
process
and
are
the
applicant's
responsibility.
Any
college
course
work
transferred
to
TCC
requires
a
transcript
evaluation.
_____
8.
Submit
your
completed
Request
for
Evaluation
of
Previous
Higher
Educational
Experiences
to
College
Central
Records
Office,
Tidewater
Community,
7000
College
Drive,
Portsmouth,
VA
23703.
_____
9.
Please
bring
this
completed
form
with
you
to
the
information
session.
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