Program Information

Catalog description of program

Polysomnographic (PSG) Technology is an allied health specialty for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of sleep and daytime alertness.  The range of sleep disorders is varied but includes common disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, insomnias and many others.  PSG technologists operate a variety of sophisticated electronic monitoring devices which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movement, respiration, blood oxygen and other physiological events.  Technologists are also involved in evaluation of various treatment methods.  PSG technologists are employed in Sleep Disorders Centers which can be located in medical centers, hospitals or clinic/office settings.  OCC’s PSG program offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree which will provide lectures, laboratory on campus, clinical experience at accredited sleep disorder centers, and physician lectures.  Graduates from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG Associate of Science degree with one additional year of study.   Many courses from these programs are directly related to polysomnography.  Students without these backgrounds can complete the A.S. PSG degree within two years (not including prerequisites and A.S general education requirements).  This program will accept students to begin in the fall of odd years.

Description of job for which program prepares students

Polysomnographic (PSG) Technology is an allied health specialty for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of sleep and daytime alertness.  The range of sleep disorders is varied but includes common disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, insomnias and many others.  PSG technologists operate a variety of sophisticated electronic monitoring devices which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movement, respiratory, blood oxygen and other physiological events.  Technologists are also involved in evaluation of various treatment methods.

OCC’s PSG program offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree which will provide lectures, laboratory on campus, clinical experience at accredited sleep disorder centers and physician lectures. A major emphasis of the program will be to prepare technologists for successful completion of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist national exam.

Graduates from OCC’s Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG A.S. degree with one additional year’s study.  Many courses from these programs are directly related to polysomnography.  Students without these backgrounds can complete the program within two years (not including prerequisites and A.S. degree general education requirements).

Required program prerequisites

• Allied Health A010: Health Occupations- OCC campus only in spring/fall terms.
• Medical Terminology ALH A111
• Biology A221: Human Anatomy & Physiology
• Math and General Education Requirements (#3 and 4a-d in the College Catalog) for the Associate of Science degree, approximately 18 units

Associate of Science Degree

This is an Associate of Science degree program.

Does this program transfer?

No.  This is the only CAAHEP accredited program in the State of California.

Procedure for program admittance

All students must complete the course Allied Health A010 – Health Occupations in order to apply to the program.  Students are selected and admitted to the program on a first come, first serve basis following completion of Allied Health A010. Students must be admitted to the program in order to enroll in any PSG class.

Individuals with prior degree in Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care may complete this program in one year’s time (not including prerequisites or A.S. degree general education requirements).

Program start- Each Year

Two year program starts in the fall semester of each year. Cross training options from OCC's Neurodiagnostic Technology program or Respiratory Care program starts in the fall semester after completion of the two year PSG program.

Employment possibilities upon program completion

Sleep disorder centers located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and research facilities.

Salaries

Ranging from $45,000 to $59,000 annually or higher depending upon position, employer and location.

Courses within the program which students can take while seeking admission to the program (subject to catalog restrictions)

• Allied Health A111: Medical Terminology
• Allied Health A120: Human Diseases
• Allied Health A130: Applied Pharmacology
• Human Development A180: Child Development

Length of program

Two years: Four semesters and one Intersession.  Graduates from OCC's Neurodiagnostic Technology or Respiratory Care programs may complete the PSG Associate of Science degree in one year (two semesters and one intersession).

Spaces available

24

Background checks

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background/drug screen check. The background check will include Fingerprints - LIVESCAN, County Criminal Records (past 7 years), Residency History Search, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry (OIG/GSA), Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry and a California DMV report. The drug screening will include THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, propoxyphene and methadone. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

For acceptance to the program, students are required to complete/obtain:

• A physical examination
• Immunizations: Covid, Hep B, MMR, TB, Flu, TDAP, Varicella
• Criminal background/drug screen check clearance
• CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115
• Student liability insurance      

Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, other program specific requirements.

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials and infectious pathogens in the clinical setting. Students will adhere to all safety and standard precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

Employment Prospects

Sleep disorder centers located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and research facilities.

Accreditation of Program

CAAHEP: This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). For more information, visit CAAHEP.

Program Student Learning Outcome

The goal of the program is to meet the needs of the local health care community by preparing students for entry level employment as a professional and competent Polysomnographic Technologist.

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Other

Polysomnography is closely related to Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Technology, making cross-training from these areas very desirable.

Contact information

Alexia Wood, Allied Health Program Assistant

714-432-5729

After completion of the prerequisite course ALH 010 Health Occupations you may make an appointment with the Allied Health Counselor.