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Sleep Technologist Certificate

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Certification in Sleep Technology

NECC offers a schedule-friendly hybrid program where you will complete most coursework online, and attend lab on campus in our state-of-the-art sleep lab on campus for clinical instruction. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and will prepare you to sit for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credentialing exam.

How to get started in sleep technology

Get more details about how to apply for this program.

Program Costs

Program Costs

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Program Info

Program Info

View the semester-by-semester pathway for this degree.
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Requirements

Courses and Requirements

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Additional Admission Criteria and Information
Accreditation

Accreditation

The Certificate in Practical Nursing program is Approved with Warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400; Atlanta, Georgia 30326; (404) 975-5000; https://www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Practical Certificate nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

BORN Approval Status

BORN Approval Status

NECC’s Certificate in Practical Nursing Program is approved with Warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

What does Approved with Warning mean?

After reviewing the Certificate in Practical Nursing program, BORN has directed NECC to complete a review and update different areas of the program. The Health Professions Division has already started work to address the areas, including:

  • Formalizing student governance process to ensure students have opportunities to participate in decision making for the program
  • Updating faculty and administrator job descriptions with required duties included
  • Documenting specializations of clinical experiences including mental health and maternity and updating curriculum to adopt and integrate a clinical judgment model
  • Reviewing and updating 14 BORN policies
  • Evaluating and documenting time spent by students in direct patient care, laboratory hours, simulation hours, and clinical sites
  • Identifying and documenting evaluation methods to assess student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Developing and documenting course-specific student learning outcomes
  • Conducting a gap analysis of NECC curriculum and NCLEX test to ensure full coverage of required content areas and competencies
  • Revising of course assignments and evaluation rubrics
  • Revising of clinical agreements to including provision for annual review

How does the Warning status affect current and former students?

There is no immediate impact to current or former students. Current and former students who meet graduation requirements can complete their program and take the NCLEX exam in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

When will the Certificate in Practical Nursing be eligible to return to fully approved status by BORN?

The Health Professions Division will submit regular reports to BORN updating the Board on our progress in the areas identified above. Updates to the program’s status will be posted on this web page as they are available.

Who should I contact with questions about the BORN approval status of the Certificate in Practical Nursing?

Contact Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson (khudson@necc.mass.edu)

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Graduates’ success on the licensure/certification examination

Class of 2025 – pending
- #24 Graduates
Class of 2024 – 85% – #25 Graduates
Class of 2023 – 95% – #16 Graduates
Class of 2022 – 78% – #23 Graduates

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 150% of the stated time for the program.


Graduates per Year 2023, 2024, 2025 is 100% completion rate

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 100% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025-83%
Class of 2024-68%
Class of 2023-60%

Graduates employed within one year

Class of 2022-2024 100%

Program Costs

Program Costs

Additional Program Costs

View the Additional Program Costs for Nursing Programs

Faculty & Contact

Lyn Blythe

Program and Clinical Coordinator

Office: LC-313
978-655-5892 (Please call to schedule an appointment)
lblythe@necc.mass.edu

Additional Program Information

You will be well prepared to take a national certification exam and begin a career working in a variety of healthcare settings requiring sleep technologists. Upon completion of the program you can:

  • Take the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credentialing exam
  • Work for hospitals, or private sleep labs.
  • Help people get the rest they need.
Required Documents

Required Documents

Program Outcome

Program Outcomes

Specific job related skills-based outcome of the program

  • Eligibility to take the RPSGT exam
  • Training necessary to work in area sleep labs
Student Learning Outcomes
  • Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of basic sleep anatomy and physiology.
  • Compare relevant anatomy and physiology including neurological components applicable to normal sleep breathing and versus various sleep disordered breathing.
  • Describe and recognize signs, symptoms, etiology, characteristics, pathophysiology, and therapy of important sleep disorders.
  • Complete documentation of patient’s history, technical notes, and outcomes during a sleep study.
  • Describe the indications, contraindications, and hazards for various diagnostic and treatment modalities
  • Recognize and understand various physiological data used to score and analyze a sleep study.
  • Select proper equipment inventory and montage in order to optimize data collection.
  • Complete proper patient preparation and electrode application with correct placement sites to ensure consistent quality sleep data.
  • Calibrate equipment to ensure proper functioning during sleep studies.
  • Implement and monitor various therapeutic modalities such as CPAP and oxygen.
  • Develop rapport and appropriate interactions with patients that will facilitate the gathering of assessment information concerning issues of legal rights, ethics, confidentiality, and diversity (e.g. gender, age, and ethnicity). in accordance with professional standards
  • Effectively communicate orally and in writing as necessary with patients, other sleep technologists, and physicians regarding documentation, testing procedures, possible interventions and results.
  • Assess the patient’s medical and sleep history and evaluate indications and needs for modification of testing procedures.
  • Recognize the need for intervention with therapeutics during sleep study.
  • Recognize, troubleshoot and apply critical thinking skills to analyze and diagnose problems with setup, testing and equipment.
Placement Rate

Placement Rate

Positive placement outcome

Graduation year # Graduates Positive placement
2023 11 82% employed
1 not seeking employment
1 unable to work due to NY state licensure requirements
2024 12 83% employed
2 not seeking employment
2025 12 75% employed
3 not seeking employment

*Note: 3 Year average placement rate 80% as defined by the Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (CoA PSG), means that the graduate is employed full or part-time in a related field; and/or continuing their education; and/or serving in the military. Positive placement results are for graduates reporting; not all graduates responded to program correspondence, so exact placement numbers may be underestimated.

Accreditation Information
The Sleep Technologist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (CoA PSG).

CAAHEP
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
CoA-PSG
1711 Frank Avenue
New Bern, NC 28560
Phone: (252) 626-3238

Credit for Prior Learning or Work Experience

With NECC’s Credit for Prior Learning, you can move through the program at a faster pace and graduate sooner! These credits are covered free-of-charge for eligible Massachusetts learners.

Support for Every Student

NECC offers a variety of student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and academic advising, to help students thrive academically. Want to transfer to NECC? Our advisors are happy to assist you.

Accommodations at NECC

As an ADA-compliant institution, NECC is committed to serving the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We partner with multiple entities are dedicated to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all members of the NECC community.

Do you have a documented disability? Are you Deaf or Hard of Hearing? If so, the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services (CARS) can connect you to the services you need to thrive at NECC.

Free Community College

MassEducate & MassReconnect

No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students.

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