Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Course Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Respiratory Therapy Sleep Medicine


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs Available 2016-2017

The sleep medicine add on to the respiratory therapy program will provide students currently enrolled in respiratory therapy programs in Iowa and respiratory care practitioners currently working the opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become professional sleep medicine practitioners. Those who complete the program will be prepared to begin successful careers in sleep medicine and to achieve the Sleep Disorder Specialist (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) credential awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care and the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential awarded by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

Locations: Ankeny

Students start Fall semester.

Program Entry Requirements

  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirements.
  3. Graduate of a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC)or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited respiratory therapy program and current Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care or a student currently enrolled in a COARC accredited respiratory therapy program along with consent of the director of that program.
  4. Submit to admissions proof of graduation from or current enrollment in an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Respiratory Therapy Sleep Medicine Certificate, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A minimum of grade “C” or above is required in all courses.

 

Total Credits Required to Complete this Certificate - 14


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$147.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2
Books 160 160
Supplies   40   40
Uniforms   60   60
Background Check   56  

Approximate total for program: $2,634*

*Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Respiratory therapists working in sleep medicine will monitor and observe persons during sleep to identify disorders which affect their ability to sleep. 
  • You will respond to emergency situations that may arise during tests.
  • You will assemble, troubleshoot and maintain monitoring equipment used to evaluate multiple parameters during sleep testing.
  • You will be educating and instructing persons in the application and activation of sleep monitoring monitors used outside the formal testing laboratory. 
  • You will be evaluating the quality of recordings of parameters monitored during sleep. 
  • You will be scoring the data obtained during observed and unobserved sleep testing. 
  • You will work closely with physicians in the interpretation and reporting of the results of sleep testing.
  • You will educate persons in the treatment of sleep disorders identified during testing.
  • You will facilitate persons in being compliant with therapy for sleep disorders.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Good computational abilities.
  • Skill in teaching persons about the use of testing and therapy devices.
  • Ability to organize tasks and work independently and efficiently.
  • Good English oral and written communication skills.
  • Good problem-solving skills, able to independently solve problems and make decisions.
  • Good hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity.
  • Ability to communicate patient information effectively.
  • Maintain confidentiality of information.
  • Spend much of the night observing monitoring equipment.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program of Career Choice?


  • You will work mostly nights when evaluating persons for sleep disorders
  • You will complete much of your coursework using an online delivery system
  • You will complete laboratory and practicum experiences in sleep laboratories that may require travel.
  • You will take examinations to obtain national credential in sleep medicine
  • Annual starting salary:  $54,000 (Sleep Review 2014 Survey for West North Central Region  (http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2014/08/sleep-professionals-salary-survey-2014 )

Nondiscrimination Policy


Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in employment, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator may be contacted at 515-964-6857.  For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850. (2016)

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs Available 2016-2017