AAS in Polysomnography

Option Overview

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The Associate Applied Science AAS degree with an area of study in Polysomnography enables mid-career adults to meet their educational and professional needs through credit transfer and course completion.

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

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 25400 US Highway 19 N, Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763 [phone]

Thomas Edison State University developed its Polysomnography program with sleep medicine professionals from Capital Health, based in Trenton, N.J. Capital Health’s Center for Sleep Medicine in Hamilton Township, N.J., which is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is the first site where students fulfill the clinical component of the program. The college expects to work with other sleep centers that are accredited to offer additional sites where students can fulfill the clinical component of the program.

Candidates for the AAS in Polysomnography and Certificate in Polysomnography are required to complete two clinical experiences in addition to online courses. Candidates with Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist RPSGT are not required to complete clinical courses since they are granted based on RPSGT credentials. The University has partnerships in place with the accredited clinical sites listed below.

Listed Clinical Sites are:

• Central New Jersey- The Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health, Hamilton, NJ
• Northern New Jersey- Comprehensive Sleep Center, Fair Lawn, NJ
• Long Island New York- St. Charles Sleep Disorders Center, Port Jefferson, NY
• Missouri- Cass Regional medical Center Sleep Lab, Harrisonville, MO
• South Carolina- Carolina Lung and Sleep Center, Seneca SC

Candidates outside of these listed geographic areas will be required to arrange their accredited PSG clinical experience site near their home. If clinical site cannot be located learners will not be able to complete the program.

The AAS degree with an area of study in Polysomnography is a 61-credit program. The program focuses on clinical fundamentals, instrumentation theory, PSG scoring and sleep disorders.

Polysomnography Background Investigation Process

It is required that AAS degree with an area of study in Polysomnography and Undergraduate Certificate in Polysomnography learners who plan to take clinical courses complete a background investigation, health screening with immunization verifications, drug screening, and American Heart Association AHA or equivalent basic life support BLS for health providers instruction. The background investigation is required prior to attending two courses, Clinical Fundamentals of Polysomnography PSG-200 and Therapeutic Interventions and Patient Management PSG-105. If learners have previously gained Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists BRPT credential, the background investigation is not necessary since credits will be awarded for these courses and clinical courses are not required.

AAS Degree, Polysomnography Graduation Data

Year	# Graduates	Started with BRPT	Passed BRPT After Grad.	Full Time Employed	Part Time Employed
2013	2	2		2
2014	1		1	1
2015	3	1	1	2

Certified in Polysomnography Graduation Data

Year	# Graduates	Started with BRPT	Passed BRPT After Grad.	Full Time Employed	Part Time Employed
2013
2014	2	1	1	2
2015	1		1	1

Credit Distribution

Courses in the General Education Requirements are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.

I. General Education Requirements (21 Credits)

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (12 credits)

ENC-1010	Writing for Success	3
MAT-1050	Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics	3
SOS-1100	Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today	3

B. Civic and Global Leadership (3 credits)

SOC-101

Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology

3

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (3 credits)

HIS-113

American History I

3

D. Understanding the Physical and Natural World (3 credits)

CIS-107

Computer Concepts and Applications

3

II. Polysomnography Requirements (34 Credits)

BIO-211	Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab	4
BIO-212	Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab	4
PSG-101	Theoretical Fundamentals of Polysomnography	3
PSG-102	Instrumentation Theory	3
PSG-200	Clinical Fundamentals of Polysomnography	6
PSG-105	Theoretical Interventions and Clinical Patient Management	3
PSG-103	Polysomnography Scoring	3
PSG-104	Sleep Disorders	3
APS-100	Medical Terminology	1
PSG-295	Polysomnography Capstone	3

III. Electives (6 Credits)

Students may select credits from any of the courses listed here. Undergraduate Courses.

Total Credit Hours: 61

Note:

Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor before registering for any courses.

PSG-101 Theoretical Fundamentals of Polysomnography

• No prerequisite other than interest in Polysomnography
• Course could be an elective for other allied health programs

PSG-102 PSG Instrumentation Theory

• Required completion or enrolled in PSG-101

PSG-200 Clinical Fundamentals of PSG

• Required completion of PSG-101 or equivalent experience in Polysomnography
• Requires prearrangement of accredited clinical site that has contracted with TESU of clinical phase prior to registering
• Additional laboratory fee charged for this course
• Required completion of background check, CPR training, and physical examination prior to registration paid by learner through College contract vendor, American databank
• Offered in October and January semesters

PSG-103 PSG Scoring

• Required completion of PSG-200 or experience as a Registered Polysomnography Technologist

PSG-104 Sleep Disorders

• No prerequisite other than interest in Polysomnography
• Course could be an elective for other allied health programs

PSG-105 Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Patient Management

• Required completion of PSG-200
• Additional laboratory fee charged for this course
• Required completion of background check, same as PSG-105
• Offered in October and January semesters

Notes: Non-Registered Polysomnography Technologist required completing clinical courses of PSG-200 Clinical Fundamentals of PSG and PSG-105 Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Patient Management MUST arrange for local clinical phase site on enrollment. Clinical sites MUST be accredited and willing to contract with Thomas Edison State University to ensure clinical experiences achieve program requirement as indicated by CAAHEP. Learner will pay an additional laboratory fee for PSG-200 Clinical Fundamentals of PSG and PSG-105 Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Patient Management. Example: The Sleep Center at Capital Health in Hamilton, New Jersey is an approved clinical site with laboratory fees of $960 for PSG-200 Clinical Fundamentals of PSG and $640 for PSG-105 Therapeutic Interventions & Clinical Patient Management.

Background Investigation

Background investigations are required based on regulations affecting clinical sites. The background investigation will be the responsibility of the student to protect the confidentiality of personal information. It will be paid for by the student who will also determine how long the information remains active with the background investigation contractor. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the background information in a timely manner so the investigation can be completed. It is anticipated that the background investigation application and data be processed at least twelve weeks prior to the start of the first clinical course. If the background information is not completed prior to the start of the course, the student will not permitted to take the course.

Background investigation will include criminal background check, a drug screening, a health screening with immunization verifications and verification of current basic life support BLS for health providers qualification. The University has arranged for American Data Bank to conduct the investigation and established the following link so that each student can provide necessary data in a confidential manner; https://thomasedison.applicantcompliance.com/. Please realize specific clinical sites may have additional requirements, such as identification photos. Below is the detailed information on this process:

Background Check completed in AMS: applicant management system

• State Criminal Background check
• FBI Fingerprinting
• Drug Screening
• Health Requirements documents indicating proof must be uploaded to the Complio System

Negative PPD within 12 months prior to the end of the practicum, or if a known positive Chest X-ray and TB Questionnaire completed

2 MMR vaccinations or proof of immunity blood titer for students born after 1957 through serology for Measles, Mumps and Rubella

Varicella Vaccination or proof of serology immunity or history of disease

Tdap Vaccination

Hep B Series—Proof of three vaccinations or proof of immunity declination required when student declines

Respirator FIT testing for 3M, N-95 respirator within 12 months prior to the end of the practicum for entry into isolation areas this will be completed during orientation at the clinical site

Flu shot that will not expire during the time period September 1-March 31 Students who are allergic or otherwise unable to receive a flu shot due to medical reasons will be required to provide medical documentation , sign a site specific declination form and wear a surgical mask when in contact with patients during the practicum.

Current Basic Life Support—Must be American Heart Association AMA 4 hour class with skills demonstration and written test at the Healthcare Provider level. We cannot accept the online test only with no hands on skills assessment certification cards.

Each clinical site may have additional requirements or process required to allow students and patient contact. The Clinical site preceptor or Donald Cucuzzella, Assistant Dean School of Applied Science and Technology can answer specific questions.

To begin this process students should visit https://thomasedison.applicantcompliance.com/. They will be required to create two separate accounts. In the AMS Applicant System they can order the background check, FBI Fingerprinting and Drug Screening. Verification of results of the health screen can be uploaded to the Complio system. Again this process should be started 12 weeks prior to their planned start of PSG-200. If students have any questions please contact Donald Cucuzzella, Assistant Dean School of Applied Science and Technology at [e-mail]