Self Study for Sleep Technology
This online course meets BRPT's Self-Study program requirements, covering polysomnographic procedures and sleep disorder classification. Suitable for CPSGT or RPSGT exam eligibility seekers, it offers a Certificate of Completion, with hands-on training recommended for practical application.
Course Overview
Introduction
This online-only and self-guided course of instruction will review content in all the sections required by the BRPT to be considered a STAR-designated Self-Study education program. The entire seminar totals 299 video lessons that are sub-grouped into 14 distinct sections. The entire seminar totals 25.5 video-contact hours. This course is considered to be an introductory course into sleep technology and will help establish a strong foundation for fundamental learning the key concepts for a career as a polysomnographic technologist, commonly referred to as a Sleep Tech.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the functionality and troubleshooting skills of polysomnographic instrumentation.
- Perform polysomnographic procedures and protocols based on the AAST Technical Guidelines.
- How to interact with and educate patients on sleep hygiene, sleep disorders, and treatment considerations.
- How to perform waveform recognition for the scoring and analysis of sleep stages, arousals, limb movements, and sleep-related breathing disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea, based on the AASM Manual for Scoring.
- How to recognize the essential features of the other common sleep disorders related like Insomnia, Parasomnia, Hypersomnia, Circadian Rhythm Disorders, and Movement Disorders based on the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition.
Who Is This Course For?
The ideal candidate will be seeking CPSGT exam eligibility through BRPT’s Pathway #1 for Clinical Experience and/or Pathway #3 for Focused Training. The candidate may also be seeking RPSGT exam eligibility through BRPT’s Pathway #1 Clinical Experience and/or Pathway #4 Focused Training. This course is ideal for individuals who are just entering the field of sleep technology, re-entering the field of sleep technology after 3+ years of absence from the field, or those needing to gain exam eligibility.
Prerequisites
No prior experience in sleep technology is required. However, those with a general knowledge of medical terminology, patient/employee safety concepts, verbal and written communication skills, ethics, patient confidentiality, basic patient care and emergency procedures, basic math skills and calculations as well as computer skills would be helpful, but not required as all of these items are reviewed in this course.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion to showcase your completion of this introductory course on sleep technology. This Certificate of Completion is what is needed to submit your CPSGT / RPSGT exam application to the BRPT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the course. If you have any further inquiries, feel free to contact us.
- Q: Will this course help me to become eligible to take the CPSGT or RPSGT Exam with the BRPT?
- A: Yes. Our BRPT STAR Provider number is SS008.
- Q: Will I be able to work independently on my very first day as a sleep tech trainee after taking just this online course?
- A: No. It will give you the foundation for a career in sleep technology, but some hands-on training to apply the clinical skills to your academic understanding that you get from this course!
Course Outline
Section 1: Introduction: The Sleep Technologist
- 1.1 - Sleep Technology
- 1.2 - The Sleep Tech
- 1.3 - The Sleep Tech Shift
- 1.4 - The Sleep Tech Associations
- 1.5 - Intro to Circadian Rhythms
- 1.6 - Shift Work & Sleep Strategies
Section 2: Polysomnographic Instrumentation
- 2.1 - Neurons and Neurotransmitters
- 2.2 - Neuroanatomy of Wakefulness
- 2.3 - Electrical Principles
- 2.4 - PSG Component - Overview
- 2.5 - PSG Component - Electrodes
- 2.6 - PSG Component - Amplifier Processing
- 2.7 - PSG Component - Amplifier Modification 1
- 2.8 - PSG Component - Amplifier Modification 2
- 2.9 - PSG Component - Amplifier Sampling
- 2.10 - PSG Component - Calibrations
- 2.11 - Waveform Appearance
- 2.12 - Electrical Safety Review
Section 3: Sleep-Wake Physiology & Pathophysiology
- 3.1 - Basic Sleep-Brain Anatomy
- 3.2 - Basic Sleep Physiology
- 3.3 - Basic Cardiac Anatomy
- 3.4 - Basic Cardiac Pathophysiology
- 3.5 - Basic Respiratory Anatomy - Upper Airway
- 3.6 - Basic Respiratory Anatomy - Lower Airway
- 3.7 - Basic Respiratory - Breathing Mechanics
- 3.8 - Basic Respiratory - Physiology
- 3.9 - Basic Respiratory - Controls
- 3.10 - Basic Respiratory - Pathophysiology
- 3.11 - Medications and Sleep - Overview
- 3.12 - Medications and Sleep - Hypnotics
- 3.13 - Medications and Sleep - Antidepressants
- 3.14 - Medications and Sleep - Cardiovascular Drugs
- 3.15 - Medications and Sleep - Stimulants
- 3.16 - Medications and Sleep - Antihistamines
- 3.17 - Medications and Sleep - Anticonvulsants
- 3.18 - Medications and Sleep - Opioids
- 3.19 - Medications and Sleep - Antipsychotics
- 3.20 - Medications and Sleep - Mood Stabilizers
- 3.21 - Medications and Sleep - Other Sleep Aids
Section 4: Sleep Disorder Classifications & Diagnostic Criteria
- 4.1 - Insomnia - Chronic
- 4.2 - Insomnia - Short Term
- 4.3 - Insomnia - Isolated Symptoms
- 4.4 - SRBD - Overview of Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
- 4.5 - SRBD - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- 4.6 - SRBD - Central - Primary Central Sleep Apnea
- 4.7 - SRBD - Central - Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
- 4.8 - SRBD - Central - Treatment Emergent Central Apnea
- 4.9 - SRBD - Sleep Related Hypoventilation
- 4.10 - SRBD - Sleep Related Hypoxemia
- 4.11 - SRBD - Isolated Symptom - Snoring
- 4.12 - SRBD - Isolated Symptom - Catathrenia
- 4.13 - Hypersomnia - Overview of Disorders
- 4.14 - Hypersomnia - Narcolepsy Type 1
- 4.15 - Hypersomnia - Narcolepsy Type 2
- 4.16 - Hypersomnia - Kleine-Levin Syndrome
- 4.17 - Hypersomnia - Insufficient Sleep Syndrome
- 4.18 - Hypersomnia - Isolated Symptom - Long Sleeper
- 4.19 - Circadian - Overview of Circadian Rhythm Disorders
- 4.20 - Circadian - Delayed Sleep Phase
- 4.21 - Circadian - Advanced Sleep Phase
- 4.22 - Circadian - Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm
- 4.23 - Circadian - Non-24 Hour Rhythm
- 4.24 - Circadian - Shift Work Disorder
- 4.25 - Circadian - Jet Lag Disorder
- 4.26 - Parasomnia - Overview of Disorders
- 4.27 - Parasomnia - NREM - Disorder of Arousals
- 4.28 - Parasomnia - NREM - Confusional Arousals
- 4.29 - Parasomnia - NREM - Sleepwalking
- 4.30 - Parasomnia - NREM - Sleep Terrors
- 4.31 - Parasomnia - NREM - Sleep-Related Eating Disorder
- 4.32 - Parasomnia - REM - Behavior Disorder
- 4.33 - Parasomnia - REM - Sleep Paralysis
- 4.34 - Parasomnia - REM - Nightmare Disorder
- 4.35 - Parasomnia - Other - Exploding Head Syndrome
- 4.36 - Parasomnia - Other - Sleep-Related Hallucinations
- 4.37 - Parasomnia - Other - Sleep Enuresis
- 4.38 - Parasomnia - Other - Sleep Talking
- 4.39 - Movement - Overview of Disorders
- 4.40 - Movement - Restless Legs Syndrome
- 4.41 - Movement - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- 4.42 - Movement - Bruxism
- 4.43 - Movement - Rhythmic Movement Disorder
- 4.44 - Factors that Influence Sleep - Anatomy
- 4.45 - Factors that Influence Sleep - Age & Gender
- 4.46 - Factors that Influence Sleep - Clinical Disorders
Section 5: Polysomnographic Procedures
- 5.1 - PSG - Summary
- 5.2 - PSG - Scope
- 5.3 - PSG - Indications
- 5.4 - PSG - Electrode Application
- 5.5 - PSG - EEG
- 5.6 - PSG - EOG
- 5.7 - PSG - EMG Chin
- 5.8 - PSG - EMG Limb
- 5.9 - PSG - ECG
- 5.10 - PSG - Snoring
- 5.11 - PSG - Respiratory
- 5.12 - PSG - Blood Oxygenation
- 5.13 - PSG - Capnography
- 5.14 - PSG - Body Position
- 5.15 - PSG - Behavioral Observation
- 5.16 - PSG - Recording Environment
- 5.17 - PSG - Montage and Technical Guidelines
- 5.18 - PSG - Instrumentation
- 5.19 - PSG - Instrumentation Calibration
- 5.20 - PSG - Physiologic Calibration
- 5.21 - PSG - Overnight Study Routine
- 5.22 - PSG - Artifact Correction
- 5.23 - PSG - Documentation - Technical
- 5.24 - PSG - Documentation - Clinical
- 5.25 - PSG - Standards of Practice
- 5.26 - PSG - Patient Safety - Facility
- 5.27 - PSG - Patient Safety - Equipment
- 5.28 - PSG - Patient Safety - Emergency
- 5.29 - PSG - Patient Discharge Guidelines
- 5.30 - PSG - Infection Control
- 5.31 - MSLT - Summary
- 5.32 - MSLT - Indications
- 5.33 - MSLT - General Considerations
- 5.34 - MSLT - The Protocol
- 5.35 - MSLT - Scoring and Ending Each Nap
- 5.36 - MSLT - Ending the Test and Interpretations
- 5.37 - MWT - Summary
- 5.38 - MWT - Indications
- 5.39 - MWT - General Considerations
- 5.40 - MWT - The Protocol
- 5.41 - MWT - Scoring and Ending Each Trial
- 5.42 - MWT - Ending the Test and Interpretation
- 5.43 - HSAT - Summary
- 5.44 - HSAT - Scope
- 5.45 - HSAT - Indications
- 5.46 - HSAT - Instrumentation
- 5.47 - HSAT – Methodology - Device Pickup
- 5.48 - HSAT - Documentation
- 5.49 - HSAT - Methodology - Device Return
- 5.50 - HSAT - PM Scoring
- 5.51 - HSAT - Standards of Practice
- 5.52 - HSAT - Quality Assurance
- 5.53 - HSAT - Equipment Safety
- 5.54 - HSAT - Infection Control
- 5.55 - Actigraphy - Summary
- 5.56 - Actigraphy - Scope
- 5.57 - Actigraphy - Indications
- 5.58 - Actigraphy - Recording Techniques
- 5.59 - Actigraphy - Interpretation
- 5.60 - Actigraphy - Documentation
Section 6: Chart Review & Questionnaires
- 6.1 - New Patient Encounter
- 6.2 - Chart Review - Physician's Order
- 6.3 - Chart Review - Health and Physical
- 6.4 - Chart Review - Sleep Questionnaires
Section 7: Patient Interaction & Professionalism
- 7.1 - Professionalism
- 7.2 - Confidentiality
- 7.3 - Patient Arrival and Assessment
- 7.4 - Patient Facility Orientation
- 7.5 - Patient Accommodations
- 7.6 - Patient Challenges
- 7.7 - Patient Procedure Orientation
- 7.8 - Patient Interview - Pre-Sleep
- 7.9 - Patient Interview - Post-Sleep
Section 8: Patient & Equipment Preparation
- 8.1 - Before the Patient Arrives
- 8.2 - Patient Hookup - Overview
- 8.3 - Patient Hookup - 10-20 System
- 8.4 - Patient Hookup - EEG Electrodes
- 8.5 - Patient Hookup - EOG Electrodes
- 8.6 - Patient Hookup - EMG Chin Electrodes
- 8.7 - Patient Hookup - ECG Electrodes
- 8.8 - Patient Hookup - EMG Leg Electrodes
- 8.9 - Patient Hookup - Respiratory Effort Sensors
- 8.10 - Patient Hookup - Respiratory Airflow Sensors
- 8.11 - Patient Hookup - Snore Sensor
- 8.12 - Patient Hookup - Oximeter Probe
- 8.13 - Patient Hookup - Position Sensor
- 8.14 - Equipment Check and Calibration
- 8.15 - Verify Impedance and Signal Quality
- 8.16 - Troubleshooting Techniques
- 8.17 - Biocals - Overview
- 8.18 - Biocals - EEG Channels
- 8.19 - Biocals - EOG Channels
- 8.20 - Biocals - EMG Chin Channel
- 8.21 - Biocals - ECG Channel
- 8.22 - Biocals - EMG Leg Channels
- 8.23 - Biocals - Respiratory Channels
- 8.24 - Biocals - Snore Channel
Section 9: Patient Monitoring
- 9.1 - Patient Monitoring - Overview
- 9.2 - Selecting the Recording Montage
- 9.3 - Starting the Recording
- 9.4 - Documenting During the Recording
- 9.5 - Responding to Patient Needs
- 9.6 - Maintaining the Recording
- 9.7 - Recording Artifact - Overview
- 9.8 - Recording Artifact - 50-60 Hz
- 9.9 - Recording Artifact - Muscle
- 9.10 - Recording Artifact - ECG
- 9.11 - Recording Artifact - Slow Frequency
- 9.12 - Recording Artifact - Electrode Popping
- 9.13 - Recording Artifact - Movement
- 9.14 - Recording Artifact - Respiratory Channels
- 9.15 - Recording Artifact - Oximetry Channel
- 9.16 - Recording Artifact - Miscellaneous
- 9.17 - Ending the Recording
Section 10: Patient Safety & Emergency Situations
- 10.1 - Patient and Employee Safety - Overview
- 10.2 - Personal Safety and Chemicals
- 10.3 - Infection Control - General
- 10.4 - Infection Control - Cleaning Equipment
- 10.5 - Medical Waste
- 10.6 - Proper Lifting Techniques
- 10.7 - Emergency Plan
- 10.8 - Security Threats
- 10.9 - Fire Safety
- 10.10 - Electrical Safety
- 10.11 - Patient Emergencies - Cardiac
- 10.12 - Patient Emergencies - Seizures
- 10.13 - Patient Emergencies - Violent Patients
Section 11: Therapeutic Interventions
- 11.1 - Therapeutic Interventions - Overview
- 11.2 - PAP Acclimation - Summary
- 11.3 - PAP Acclimation - Scope
- 11.4 - PAP Acclimation - Equipment
- 11.5 - PAP Acclimation - Equipment
- 11.6 - PAP Acclimation - Techniques
- 11.7 - PAP Acclimation - Preparing the Patient
- 11.8 - PAP Acclimation - The Interface
- 11.9 - PAP Acclimation - The Pressure
- 11.10 - PAP Acclimation - Leaks
- 11.11 - PAP Acclimation - Intolerance
- 11.12 - PAP Acclimation - Education
- 11.13 - PAP Acclimation - Compliance
- 11.14 - PAP Acclimation - Non-Compliance
- 11.15 - PAP Acclimation - Desensitization
- 11.16 - PAP Titration - Summary
- 11.17 - PAP Titration - Scope
- 11.18 - PAP Titration - Indications
- 11.19 - PAP Titration - Recording Techniques
- 11.20 - PAP Titration - Recording Parameters
- 11.21 - PAP Titration - CPAP Protocol
- 11.22 - PAP Titration - CPAP Grading
- 11.23 - PAP Titration - BPAP Protocol
- 11.24 - PAP Titration - BPAP Grading
- 11.25 - PAP Titration - Pressure Complaint
- 11.26 - PAP Titration - Exploration
- 11.27 - PAP Titration - Supplemental Oxygen
- 11.28 - PAP Titration - Split Night
- 11.29 - PAP Titration - Repeat Titration
- 11.30 - PAP Titration - Documentation
- 11.31 - PAP Titration - Reporting
- 11.32 - PAP Titration - Standards of Practice
- 11.33 - PAP Titration - Equipment Safety
- 11.34 - PAP Titration - Infection Control
- 11.35 - PAP Adherence - Summary
- 11.36 - PAP Adherence - Physician Office
- 11.37 - PAP Adherence - Diagnostic Study
- 11.38 - PAP Adherence - Post-Diagnosis
- 11.39 - PAP Adherence - DME Services
- 11.40 - PAP Adherence - PAP Acclimation
- 11.41 - PAP Adherence - PAP Follow Up
- 11.42 - PAP Adherence – Patient Visits
- 11.43 - PAP Adherence - Long Term Follow Up
- 11.44 - PAP Adherence - Compliance Program
- 11.45 - Supplemental Oxygen - Summary
- 11.46 - Supplemental Oxygen - Basic Purpose
- 11.47 - Supplemental Oxygen - Storage and Delivery
- 11.48 - Supplemental Oxygen - Precautions
- 11.49 - Supplemental Oxygen - Hypoxic Drive
- 11.50 - Supplemental Oxygen - Rationale
- 11.51 - Supplemental Oxygen - Devices
- 11.52 - Supplemental Oxygen - in PSG
- 11.53 - Supplemental Oxygen - in PAP
- 11.54 - Supplemental Oxygen - Troubleshooting
- 11.55 - Treatment - Alternative
Section 12: Scoring
- 12.1 - Intro to Scoring
- 12.2 - Waveform Features
- 12.3 - Waveforms to Recognize
- 12.4 - Stage Wake
- 12.5 - Stage NREM 1
- 12.6 - Stage NREM 2
- 12.7 - Stage NREM 3
- 12.8 - Stage REM
- 12.9 - Different Staging Rules for Children
- 12.10 - Different Staging Rules for Infants
- 12.11 - What is an Arousal?
- 12.12 - Scoring Respiratory Events - Apneas
- 12.13 - Scoring Respiratory Events - Hypopnea
- 12.14 - Scoring Respiratory Events - RERA
- 12.15 - Scoring Hypoventilation
- 12.16 - Scoring Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
- 12.17 - Different Respiratory Rules for Children
- 12.18 - What is a Significant Limb Movement?
- 12.19 - Scoring Periodic Limb Movements
- 12.20 - Scoring Other Movements
- 12.21 - Scoring Bruxism
- 12.22 - Scoring REM Behavior Disorder
- 12.23 - Cardiac Events to Recognize
Section 13: Data Analysis & Reporting
- 13.1 - Data Analysis and Reporting - Overview
- 13.2 - Data - Technical Summary
- 13.3 - Data - Staging Calculations
- 13.4 - Data - Arousal Calculations
- 13.5 - Data - Cardiac Calculations
- 13.6 - Data - Movement Calculations
- 13.7 - Data - Respiratory Calculations
- 13.8 - Report - Clinical Summary
Section 14: Data Archiving & Storage
- 14.1 - Data Archiving and Storage
Course Reviews
"Thank you for your kind words and great suggestion! We're actually planning to cover marijuana and other drugs in future courses. Stay tuned for more in-depth content, and thanks again for learning with us!"
About the Instructor
Larry Brewer BA, RPSGT, RST
Larry is a Registered Sleep Technologist with over 20 years of experience in the sleep technology field. He focuses on providing a clear understanding of the content through a relational styled teaching approach. He appreciates the value of providing real-life examples to explain even the most complex content.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our support team.
After you purchase and enroll into a course, you'll be given access to your own student dashboard. There you'll find all the courses you're enrolled in. You'll also be able to manage your user profile, view/download certificates, view order histories, and monitor course completion progress.
Our courses follow a microlearning approach, breaking down each lesson into two parts:
- A concise on-screen video presentation.
- A brief quiz that covers the specific topics discussed in the previous video.
We intentionally structure our courses this way because we've found that presenting information in short, focused bursts significantly enhances retention rates and improves understanding.
On average, our video lessons are about 5 minutes long. Some of our more complex topics may reach up to 15 minutes long, while others can be as short as 1 minute long.
Upon completing each video lesson, you'll have the option to rewatch it as many times as you wish or proceed to the quiz. You'll also have the ability to come back to watch or reference the video lesson as needed between quiz attempts.
After each lesson, you'll be prompted to take a brief quiz comprising of about 5 questions, depending on how long the video was. These quizzes are not timed, and you'll have multiple attempts to achieve a passing grade.
To advance, you need to earn a passing grade of 80% on the quiz. You can rewatch the video lesson between quiz attempts if needed.
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