Santa Fe Offers New "Sleep Studies" Certificate Program
April 20, 2012
Santa Fe College is offering a new, six-month healthcare certificate program in polysomnography, the specialty required to work in sleep studies with patients suffering from sleep disorders. It is only the second polysomnograpy program in the state.
To address a statewide shortage of sleep technicians, Santa Fe College is working with the University of Florida and Shands Hospital to offer a six-month certificate program in polysomnography starting in Summer B, July 2. The application deadline is June 1.
Santa Fe's six-month professional certificate program prepares graduates to take the national registry exam for polysomnography. Santa Fe College developed the curriculum and will administer the program. The University of Florida is providing faculty and a clinical affiliation through its Magnolia Park Sleep Center. Other clinical sites include the VA Medical Center and North Florida Regional Medical Center.
Shands at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College would like to welcome all interested in learning more about Sleep Medicine and career opportunities in polysomnography to attend their open house, 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 11 at Magnolia Park Sleep Center, 4740 NW 39th Pl., Suite C. See the equipment, hear presentations about sleep studies, and talk with technologists who routinely perform such tests.
Polysomnography is a comprehensive recording of the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep. It is usually performed at night, when most people sleep, and is used to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include intense snoring and breathing issues that decrease oxygen levels and limit deep, REM sleep. By day, patients are hyper somnolent and have trouble staying awake at work and while driving. Lower oxygen levels also cause an increase in pressure on the heart and a higher risk of heart attack.
Santa Fe's new program is ideal for those with a previous degree in nursing, respiratory care, cardiovascular technology, radiography, or nuclear medicine.
It is also open to students with a bachelor's degree in any field, with the following three prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Introduction to Health Care. (All three classes are offered at Santa Fe College in the Summer A semester that begins May 14.)
All polysomnography classes meet in the evenings between 6 and 9 p.m.
Summer B
- Didactic – 3 hours
- Lab – 3 hours
Fall A
- Didactic – 3 hours
- Lab – 3 hours
- Clinical rotation – 1 evening
Fall B
- Clinical rotations only, three evenings a week
This is a 14-credit program. Santa Fe's in-state tuition is $102/credit hour for a total tuition cost of $1428. Local starting salary for polysomnography technicians is $35,000 annually; average annual salaries are $44,000-$45,000.
For more information about admission to this program, please contact Santa Fe's Health Sciences Counseling Office, 352-395-5650, or email to health.sciences.counseling@sfcollege.edu.
For details about the program itself, contact Paul Stephan at 352-395-5706 or Lisa Davis at 352-395-5700.
