Capital A•STEP
Polysomnography Program
Spring Program will begin March 15, 2009
The Center for Sleep Medicine
at Capital Health System
Hamilton, NJ
Applications are now being accepted for this program. Please review the attached information related to this program offering. Interested applicants are invited to submit an application, accompanied by the $25 application fee, to the sleep center at Hamilton. A maximum of 10 students will be accepted into this program.
The next program will begin on March 15, 2009 and continues through mid-September of 2009. During the first two months of the program, participants will attend didactic and practical sessions scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the Mercer County Vocational Schools Health Careers Center and the Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health System in Hamilton. During this period of time participants will also attain practical experience under the direction of experienced technologists two evenings per week (7 pm to 11 pm) in the sleep centers at Hamilton and in the Fuld campus Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center in Trenton.
For the final four months of the program students will complete 14 AASM self study modules with examinations and will attain practical experience performing polysomnography under the direction of experienced registered technologists during a minimum of 2 overnight shifts per week (7 pm to 7 am).
EDUCATION PROGRAM
The A-STEP program at Capital Health System is a two month didactic program which is followed by 4 months of hands on training in an AASM accredited sleep center. Training consists of 80 hours of didactic and practical training over a period of 8 weeks in conjunction with a minimum of 8 hours per week of clinical polysomnographic training; supplemented by 4 months of clinical (hands-on) training and completion of 14 online training modules. A standardized written examination and a competency based practical examination follow the ASTEP introductory 80-hour didactic course. Topic focused training utilizing American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM) standardized modules continues during the remaining clinical (hands-on) portion of the course, which consists of a minimum of two overnight shifts per week in the sleep center. The program is structured such that students completing this program will meet the New Jersey licensing requirements for polysomnographic trainees.
Didactic classroom training will provide a basic technical and clinical introduction to polysomnography and information related to sleep and sleep disorders. Students will observe and assist with sleep center operations and learn to perform polysomnography. During the clinical (hands-on) portion of the training program students will work one-on-one with an experienced technologist to learn sensor application and equipment operation. Students are required to complete a Basic Cardiac Arrhythmia course and complete BCLS (healthcare provider) and AED training and certification as a component of this program.
At completion of the 80-hour didactic portion of the program the program director will complete an AASM notification form to confirm eligibility for the standardized examination that concludes the introductory portion of the A-STEP course. The student will receive examination registration instructions from the AASM via email. A $50 examination fee paid via credit card provides access to the online examination module. The examination consists of 110 multiple-choice questions and will be undertaken during a two-hour time period at the program facility as a closed book examination. The student has 30 calendar days and three attempts to earn a score of 70 percent or better on the examination. A student who fails the examination three times must repeat the 80-hour didactic portion of the A-STEP course and pay the $50 examination fee again to be eligible to re-take the examination.
Students successfully completing the final examinations at the end of the 80-hour didactic portion of the program will be awarded a certificate of completion for the ASTEP program, and will continue clinical (hands-on) training in the sleep center while completing 14 supplemental AASM A-STEP self-study modules. Students are responsible for payment for these modules at a reduced rate of $30 per module. These modules are a requirement for eligibility for the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) registry examination. Students will complete these modules during the supplemental training period.
Students successfully completing the Capital A-STEP program and the supplemental clinical training will be eligible to apply for any open polysomnographic trainee position (full-time, part-time, or per diem) at Capital Health System. Open positions are filled through standard CHS hiring practices administered by the Human Resources department.
The program will make every effort to assist students successfully completing the program to obtain a trainee position in an AASM accredited sleep center. Capital Health System does not guarantee availability of trainee positions following completion of the program. The program does not guarantee trainee position placement for any student.
Financial Requirements and Responsibility Policies
Tuition:
$25 Application fee (non-refundable)
Tuition for this program is $1,000 per student.
$500 at acceptance into the program (must be paid 10 days prior to the start of the program).
$500 month 2 (paid by the first of the month)
All tuition and other CHS payments must be made payable to Capital Health System and submitted at the sleep center in Hamilton.
Other Fees:
$50 AASM examination fee
$30 per module ($420) for 14 AASM online A-STEP modules (following completion of 80-hour didactic portion of the program)
$15 refundable BCLS course reservation fee
$10 lost student ID replacement fee
$50 Criminal background check
$100 Drug screen
All fees are subject to change and must be paid directly to the appropriate agency or department.
This program serves to prepare technologists to practice at an entry level in polysomnography. Graduates are prepared to enter practice as polysomnographic trainees and technicians under the supervision of a registered polysomnographic technologist. Eighteen months of clinical practice under the supervision of a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT) and successful completion of the AASM polysomnographic technology modules are required to meet eligibility requirements for the technologist registry examination. Graduates of this program possess skills and competencies consistent with the values of the profession and the ability to communicate and collaborate with clients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
Admission Criteria:
All applicants must submit a completed application form accompanied by a High School or GED transcript and a $25 (non-refundable) application fee.
A pre-entrance examination (Test of Adult Basic Education) with a score that documents competence at the 11th grade level is required. This requirement is waived for applicants with an associate’s degree or higher or documentation of completion of a healthcare technical program.
Proof of identity (photo driver’s license or passport) and a background check are required.
Applicants must meet all CHS health requirements including a drug screening.
Admission Requirements for Accepted Students – must be complete prior to start of program.
These requirements are the financial responsibility of the student.
Health insurance and healthcare needs are the responsibility of the student.