Polysomnographic Technology Courses

PST 111 Fundamentals of Polysomnographic Technology I (4 cr)

This course provides an introduction to polysomnographic therapy, including the history and overview of sleep medicine; sleep/wake physiology and pathophysiology; and polysomnographic procedures.

COREQUISITE: PST 112 and 113.

PST 112 Polysomnographic Instrumentation (4 cr)

Students will learn patient and equipment preparation procedure, proper methods for operating instruments utilized in polysomnographic therapy. They will be required to demonstrate an understanding of equipment electronics and related patient safety issues.

COREQUISITE: PST 111 and 113.

PST 121 Fundamentals of Polysomnographic Technology II (4 cr)

Course content includes scoring of sleep stages, arousals, limb movements, disordered breathing events, and unusual or unexpected events, and comprehensive training in ECG rhythm patterns and arrhythmias.

PREREQUISITES: BIO 133, MED 101, PST 111, and PST 112; COREQUISITE: PST 122.

PST 122 Applied Polysomnographic Technology (4 cr)

Students will demonstrate an understanding of protocols for patient monitoring techniques, the criteria and procedures for therapeutic intervention, and age-appropriate patient communication. The course also introduces students to the practice of sleep therapy through clinical observation. 

PREREQUISITES: BIO 133, MED 101, PST 111, and PST 112; COREQUISITE: PST 121.

PST 131 Clinical Practicum (8 cr)

The practicum will focus on patient chart review, patient assessment and orientation techniques, preparation and utilization of electrodes and monitors, preparation of the acquisition system, proper documentation, event recognition and management, therapeutic interventions, patient safety and emergency procedures, Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test procedures, and scoring and report generation.

PREREQUISITES: BIO 134, PHY 101, PST 121, and PST 122; COREQUISITE: PST 132.

PST 132 Professional Seminar (3 cr)

This course prepares the students for polysomnographic data analysis and reporting, case study analysis, advanced medical-legal issues, and the standards for continuing professional development.

PREREQUISITES: BIO 134, PHY 101, PST 121, PST 122, and PST 123; COREQUISITE: PST 131.

PST 241 Advanced Polysomnography (3 cr)

Coursework emphasizes use of case studies with greater degree of difficulty that require advanced data interpretation and the study of the most advanced applicable treatments available. In conjunction with the liberal arts and sciences courses required for the associate’s degree and relevant work experience, the ultimate purpose of the course is to prepare students for sleep therapy center management positions.

PREREQUISITES: PST 131 and PST132.