Allegiance Health

A-STEP Sleep Technologist Training Program

The field of sleep disorders medicine, or polysomnography, continues to experience unprecedented growth. The increasing demand for highly-skilled and well-trained technologists has created overwhelming opportunities for career development to people entering this exciting field of medicine.

To keep pace with this growth, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recently developed the Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP). It is designed to promote the standardization of sleep technology training and has two specific educational goals:

• To serve as an initiative to promote the field-wide improvement of sleep technologist training programs
• To equip students with the foundational understanding and practical skills essential for a successful career in the profession of sleep technology

Accredited in 2007 by AASM, Allegiance Health is honored to be the region’s largest and longest running provider of sleep technology training.

Complete the first step to entering the field of sleep technology and become an integral part of one of the fastest growing areas of medicine. If you are detail-oriented, organized and have the drive to succeed, Allegiance Health has a planned track of progression to ensure you advance and excel in the profession of sleep technology.

What is an A-STEP program?

An A-STEP program is comprised of the following two components:

• AASM A-STEP Introductory Course: This course consists of 80 hours of classroom instruction and training through an approved A-STEP provider. The coursework involves consistent, basic instruction about sleep, sleep disorders, sleep studies and patient care, and it concludes with an online examination. See an A-STEP sample syllabus. Students who complete the course proceed to begin the A-STEP self-study modules.
• AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules: This web-based program consists of 23 online self-study modules. These are video-based format and can be completed from the comfort of your home. Students are encouraged to complete these modules while they receive 9 or 18 months (depending on educational pathway chosen) of supervised, on-the-job, paid clinical experience in a sleep disorders center.
  
  Completion of the A-STEP Introductory Course, the online self-study modules, and the required clinical experience meets the minimal eligibility requirements to apply and sit for the BRPT or AASM’s National Registry Examination. Candidates successfully completing the registry examination will proudly join the more than 17,000 Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT or RST) who are currently working in this rapidly growing field.

Why Choose Allegiance Health’s A-STEP program?

We are dedicated to offering the most comprehensive and technologically advanced A-STEP program available. Our 10-bed, six-days-per-week testing environment offers a number of distinct advantages:

• Use of the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art 3-D animated graphics tool available today to facilitate your learning of human anatomy
• Extensive use of audio-visual presentations throughout the program to accelerate and maximize the learning experience
• Ample opportunity to spend after-class hours with our staff of registered technologists and respiratory therapists
• The most technologically-advanced equipment and sleep testing software in the field of sleep medicine
• Small class sizes and fully-dedicated instruction to maximize your learning experience

Tuition & Registration

What is the tuition fee?

• The introductory course total is $2,500.
• A $500 deposit is due at the time of registration
• The balance is due the first scheduled day of class if paying by credit card or certified funds
• If paying by personal check, the balance is due no later than 10 business days prior to the first scheduled day of class

Cancellations and substitutions

Cancellation request received at least 30 days prior to a scheduled course will incur a $125 charge to cover textbook and registration expenses. Cancellations made within 30 days of a scheduled course will incur an additional $125 late cancellation fee in addition to the above listed fee.

Rescheduling request are permitted one time without penalty providing the written request is received at least 30 days prior to the start of your originally scheduled course. Request received within 30 days of your course date will incur a $125 late reschedule request charge. 

Withdrawal during a course will result in forfeiture of full tuition.

What is Included in my tuition fee?

• Two-week period of didactic and clinical training in the classroom setting
• The "Fundamentals of Sleep Technology" textbook (hardbound; 710 pages)
• All classroom materials required for course completion 
• Additional after-hours time with our team of Registered Technologists
• Introductory Course Final Exam online testing fee ($50 value)
• Free 1-year AAST Membership ($100 value)
• Daily lunch voucher 
• Certificate of completion 
• Free Parking

What are the minimal requirements to register?

To enroll in an A-STEP program, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Additionally, candidates should possess a good grasp of mathematical concepts and excellent communication and interpersonal relationship skills. See the complete program acceptance checklist » 

Course Structure & Dates

• The introductory course consists of a minimum of 80 hours of instruction, scheduled Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. over a two-week period. The course consists of a combination of didactic classroom lecturing and hands-on application in the clinical environment. Additional after-hours time can be scheduled with our team of experienced and registered technologists to further enhance the candidates learning experience.
• Now registering for 2012-2014 course dates:
  • April 16-27, 2012
  • October 8-19, 2012
  • March 11-22, 2013
  • July 8-19, 2013
  • October 7-18, 2013
  • March 17-28, 2014 
   
• Class sizes are very limited and filled on a first come, first served basis

Already in the field, yet unregistered

• Effective July 2008, any candidate who qualifies for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist exam administered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists must meet a new eligibility criterion that requires candidates to complete the AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules, or an equivalent education program, to sit for the exam.
• Beginning in July 1, 2010, all on-the-job trainees will have to pass both the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course and the Self-Study Modules as eligibility requirements for the RPSGT examination.

Lodging Options

See local lodging options on Trails.com » 

Contact Us

If you have questions specific to the A-STEP program or sleep education components currently offered by Allegiance Health, please contact us at:

Mack.Lipe@AllegianceHealth.org
p: (517) 788-4800 x4016
f: (517) 789-5968