Polysomnography (POLY/POLA)

Polysomnographic technology is an allied health specialty for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. There are over 80 different sleep disorders including sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia.

Students will learn how to operate sophisticated electronic monitoring devices which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movements, blood oxygen levels and physiological events. Polysomnography technologists are employed in sleep disorders centers in hospitals, clinics and office settings. This program will provide lectures, laboratory and clinical experiences at quality sleep centers. A major emphasis of the program will be to prepare technologists for board registration by the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists.

It is highly recommended that interested applicants tour a sleep center and observe a polysomnogram (sleep study) prior to beginning the program.

All Polysomnography courses are taught at the Knox Campus Center for Health Sciences Campus. Enrollment is limited.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the Roane State Community College (RSCC) admissions process to become an admitted student.
2. Complete the electronic Allied Health Science (AHS) application on RaiderNet and submit by the published application deadline.
   Note: When choosing the Planned Course of Study, select ‘Polysomnography’. If ‘Polysomnography’ is not selected as a Planned Course of Study you will not be considered for the Polysomnography Program. 
3. Complete the required program admission examination. See the TEAS V for AH webpage for registration directions, exemptions, and more.
4. Complete all other entrance requirements detailed on the Polysomnography webpage.
5. Qualified applicants will be interviewed prior to acceptance.

Note: Students may not register for discipline-specific courses until their major has been changed.
Note: Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to Tennessee Residents. 

Program Application Deadline

June 30. Late applicants may be considered on a space-available basis.

Criminal Background Checks 

Criminal background checks and drug screening may be a requirement at affiliated clinical sites utilized for training in the Polysomnography Program. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This would result in your inability to successfully complete the Polysomnography Program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment. More information is available from your program director.

Health Guidelines

Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of affiliated clinical agencies. Personal health insurance may be required by some agencies. Students are highly encouraged to carry personal health insurance and are responsible for costs incurred due to injury or illness while enrolled. Students will be responsible for the cost of the physical examination and required immunizations and/or testing.

Students will be required, during the course of the program to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990. Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of the affiliating agencies. Students are responsible for cost incurred from injury or illness while in the Polysomnography Program.

Retention

Students’ grades will be evaluated at the end of each semester by the Program Director. A student must maintain the following standards or he/she will be dismissed from the program:

1. A grade of “C” or better in each specialty course.
2. Completion of specialty courses as specified by the certificate checklist. A student must be able to complete courses with the class in which he/she was admitted. A student who cannot graduate with the class in which he/she was admitted will be dropped from that class and must re-apply to a subsequent class.
3. Evidence of malpractice insurance and physical examination must be provided prior to clinical training.

The RSCC policy of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled. In cases where alcohol and drug violations occur, disciplinary action, as well as the decision whether to test for alcohol or drugs, will be processed through the Dean of Allied Health Sciences and the office of the Dean of Student Services and Multicultural Affairs.

Readmission Procedures 

A student must request readmission after a grade of “D” or “F” is received in a core course or after withdrawal from the program at any time during the semester.

A student may be considered for readmission to the program if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Students applying for readmission must meet all admissions criteria listed above. The applicant must submit a readmission request in writing to the Program Director at least thirty (30) days prior to enrollment. The request must be a detailed personal reflection of the reason(s) for the unsuccessful performance and a plan of correction.
2. One (1) readmission to the program will be permitted.
3. The applicant applying for readmission may be required to interview with the Program Director for consideration of readmission before the review date by the AHS Admissions Committee.
4. An acceptable level of discipline-specific competency may need to be demonstrated prior to readmission.
5. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be recommended for readmission by consensus of the program faculty.
   Note: The AHS Program Director will verify that all readmission documents and criteria including licensure/credentials are current and valid.
6. Readmission to an Allied Health Sciences program is contingent upon the availability of space.
7. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or violations of a code of ethics will not be considered for re-admission.
8. A student must repeat the specialty course or courses for which he/she was dismissed and attain a “C” or better in the course.
9. A student may be readmitted to the program within two year from the semester they failed. Before being considered for readmission they will be required to take a competency exam for those course(s) which they previously successfully completed. Upon successful completion of those exams they will be considered for readmission to the program and be required to take only the course(s) they failed. If they do not successfully complete the competency exam(s), they can reapply for admission but will have to repeat all courses. Successful completion of a competency exam(s) would mean a grade of 70 or greater.

¹May be completed prior to admission or either fall/spring semesters.  

²PSG 125 Clinical II is offered both in the Spring and Summer terms, but students only need to take the course once.

Students pursuing this certificate will be advised by the Allied Health Sciences Division. Students wishing to pursue an A.A.S. Allied Health Sciences with an emphasis in Polysomnography should contact their advisor. A certain number of credit hours in each program must be completed in order to meet the graduation residency requirement. Contact your advisor for the requirement of your program.

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