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.
The AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules confirm that technicians have a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of sleep technology.
This overview provides more details about the modules:
Who completes the modules?
Sleep technology trainees who passed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course
Beginning on July 1, 2008 , any candidate for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT™) Exam who is an on-the-job trainee or a health-care professional with credentials that are accepted by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)
Sleep technology trainees completing their necessary on the job training before sitting for the RPSGT exam
How does it work?
Students who have not completed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course pay a $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.
On-the-job trainees will complete the modules while they finish the 18 months of supervised clinical experience that are required to become eligible to take the RPSGT Exam. Health-care professionals with credentials that are accepted by the BRPT require only six months of supervised clinical experience.
Students who have completed the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course pay $30 per module. Other students pay $40 per module. This payment is required when the student first accesses each module.
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.
