A polysomnographer technician position can be a financially and personally rewarding job. As a polysomnographer tech, you will study patients while they are sleeping in order to help doctors diagnose sleeping disorders, which include sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. These jobs will often require you to work an overnight shift; you will need to be a good problem solver, be adept at analyzing data, and, of course, a “people person.”
Job:
Polysomnographers monitor patients’ sleep cycles with testing that usually is done during the night. Techs connect patients to diagnostic equipment that will track their heart rates and brain activity. They then observe patients while they sleep and check for an abnormal activity. When the tests are completed, the polysomnographer analyzes the collected data and reports the findings to the doctor.
You need to have a strong interest in and knowledge of science and math and be comfortable working with the complex equipment used for sleep study.
Salary:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average yearly salary of a polysomnographer in the range of $38,000 to $43,000. If you receive advanced training and experience, you may earn upwards of $47,000 annually.
Education:
Sleep technicians can be trained on the job; however, most polysomnographer tech positions require a minimum of an associate’s degree. If you’ve earned an associate’s in the field of medical technology, you needn’t pursue further education as you can receive on-the-job training. If you are just beginning your education and wish to help doctors do sleep studies, look for a polysomnography program that includes typical coursework such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- CPR
- Diagnosis and treatment
- First aid
- Medical terminology
- Sleep disorders.
Associations:
It’s always a good idea to join and be involved with professional organizations; those that exist for polysomnographer technicians include:
- American Associate of Sleep Technologists
- Association of Polysomnographic Technicians
- Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
Sat, Mar 20, 2010
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