AASM
A-STEP-SELF STUDY MODULE
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
helps sleep technology technicians enhance their
professional education through the Accredited
Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP)
Self-Study Modules.
In order to better aid trainees as they study
for the exam, the AASM provides A-STEP
Self-Study Modules covering all you need to know
about scoring. Each of the modules includes over
sixty slides. They are extensively illustrated
and include self-assessment tools.
Candidates are required to complete and pass 14
A STEP modules before sitting the exam.
Pathway #1
- for candidates with 18-months of PSG
experience (on-the-job training).
1.
Candidates must complete a minimum of 18
months of paid clinical experience where at
least 21 hours per week per calendar year of
on-the-job duties performed are Polysomnography
direct patient recording and/or scoring. Duties
must be within a 3-year period prior to the
exam.
2.
Candidates must complete the
AASM A-STEP Self-Study (online) Modules or a
Proof of completing the modules must be
submitted with the application. Acceptable
forms of proof are:
i.
Copies of the 14 certificates of
completion from each module, or
ii.
An official transcript from the AASM.
3.
Candidates must include proof of
completing secondary education. Acceptable
forms of proof are copies of transcripts or
diplomas from high school, GED or equivalent, or
college or university education.
Pathway #1 Applicant, here are your next steps
on the road to becoming an RPSGT:
Note: This is the requirement to sit for RPSGT
exam.
The AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules confirm that technicians
have a comprehensive understanding of the
fundamentals of sleep technology.
Who completes the modules?
-
Beginning on July 1, 2008, candidates for the
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
Exam who are following BRPT Pathway #1
(18-months of PSG experience)
-
Beginning on July 1, 2009, all unregistered
technologists at AASM accredited facilities
regardless of other credentials.
How does it work?
-
Students need pay a non-refundable $50
registration fee to be able to access the
online system.
-
The student completes 14 online, educational
modules through the A-STEP Web page. These
modules cover topics that were introduced in
the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course.
-
Trainees following BRPT Pathway #1 will complete
the modules while they finish their
18-months of supervised clinical experience
required to become eligible to take the
RPSGT Exam.
-
Students have to pay $40 per module. This
payment is required when the student first
accesses each module till charges are
non-refundable.
-
Each module takes approximately 45 minutes to 90
minutes to complete.
-
At the end of each module the student must pass
a short examination before proceeding to the
next module. The student may take the exam
as many times as is necessary to earn a
grade of 70 percent or higher.
-
Students have as many opportunities as necessary
to review the presentation and take the
exam. Once you successfully complete the
short exam (achieve a passing score of 70%
or higher) at the end of the presentation,
you will not be able to view the module
again. In order to get the most out of each
module, students are recommended to take
their time with the educational
presentations and take notes.
-
After completing all of the self-study modules,
students who meet the eligibility criteria
set by the
Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)
can take the next step toward becoming a
sleep technologist by applying to take the
RPSGT Exam.
-
The AASM will maintain certification records
that show the sleep technology technician’s
completion of the AASM A-STEP Self-Study
Modules. This information will be made
available for the technician to give to
future employers. The AASM will provide PDF
transcripts to students for a $20 charge.
The online
educational Modules cover the following topics:
-
Introductory Topics
-
Patient Interaction & Professional Behavior
-
Patient Assessment
-
Performing Polysomnography: Theory
-
Performing Polysomnography: Preparation &
Setup
-
Polysomnography: Conducting PSG’s
-
Scoring Sleep Studies (this module reflects
information in the new AASM Scoring Manual)
-
Arousals, Artifacts, & Arrhythmias
-
Sleep Disordered Breathing
-
Positive Airway Pressure & Oxygen
-
Evaluation of Sleepiness
-
Movement Disorders & Seizures
-
Pediatric Sleep
-
Miscellaneous Topics
-
Sleep Deprivation
-
Insomnia
-
Medications & Sleep
-
Esophageal pH
-
Alpha intrusion
Or visit:
www.aasmnet.org/astep for more
information.
