Certificate or Associate of Science
in Polysomnographic (Sleep) Technology

Our Program     How and When to Apply     Background Preparation     Clinical Work Experience    Faculty     Job Outlook

Become a Sleep Technologist. A sleep technologist monitors people in a sleep laboratory. As a sleep technologist, you will use information technology and direct observation to obtain and evaluate diagnostic data for the treatment of sleep disorders.

Our Program

Our three-semester certificate program includes classroom instruction, practice in skills lab and clinical experience in a sleep clinic. We give you the academic and clinical experience to learn the polysomnography profession. You will work in conjunction with physicians to provide comprehensive clinical evaluations that are required for the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Your instruction will include applying non-invasive monitoring equipment during sleep.

Upon completion of the PSGT certificate, you may take an additional 30 credit hours to earn an Associate of Science Completion degree.

The PSGT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Once you successfully complete these programs, you have the opportunity to advance into the Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Completion, Health Care Administration or Health Science degree programs at Mercy College. 

How and When to Apply

We accept ten students into the PSGT program each fall semester. Once you have completed that curriculum, you may be admitted into the Associate of Science Completion degree program and take one or more courses per semester--choose the pace that's right for you.

Applications to the PSGT certificate program must be received by the Office of Admissions by July 1. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged. Following general College admission, students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses in the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to admission into the PSGT program.

Background Preparation

You need to successfully complete one year high school (or college equivalent) biology, English, and one year of algebra coursework before admission. You must also complete a 150-hour nursing assistant course within five years of admission into the PSGT program. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet any unmet program requirements above. Students who have not completed the 150-hour Nursing Assistant course prior to applying to the College may take it concurrently with LAS courses their first semester.

Clinical Work Experience

You will experience direct patient contact during your clinical experience (called practicums) at the Mercy Sleep Center. You will also work at many other leading health care providers in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study.

Faculty

Our PSGT faculty team includes a full-time program chair as well as many medical professionals in the clinical setting. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.

Job Outlook

Once you have completed your PSGT degree, you’ll have the knowledge and clinical experience needed to become qualified for employment in a sleep clinic. According to the Board of Registered Polysomonographic Technologists, the field of sleep medicine and the demand for credentialed RPSGTs are rapidly expanding. Greater public understanding of the importance of sleep and the relationship between sleep apnea and other diseases has raised the profile of sleep medicine and often generated aggressive competition for patients. You can get more details about specific roles and job opportunities from the Board of Registered Polysomonographic Technologists website.