Through the Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP), the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) gives sleep disorders centers and academic institutions a valuable opportunity to play a role in the education and training of sleep technologists.
This opportunity is available to accredited sleep disorders centers and academic institutions that are affiliated with an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center. These facilities can apply to become accredited providers of the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course.
What is an A-STEP Provider?
A center or academic institution that becomes an A-STEP provider can offer the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course to sleep trainees and technicians. This course consists of 80 hours of instruction and training about sleep, sleep disorders, sleep studies and patient care. It concludes with an online examination, and students who successfully complete the course proceed to begin the online AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules.
Why Become an A-STEP Provider?
Becoming a Provider of AASM A-STEP is a benefit to your practice, your staff, sleep trainees and technicians, and the field.
Your Practice
AASM accreditation is the gold standard in the sleep medicine and sleep technology fields. As an A-STEP Provider, your colleagues and patients will recognize your commitment to the assurance of quality care.
Your program and contact information will be prominently featured on the AASM Web site, a powerful advertising tool that is viewed by thousands of visitors, including potential students, each month. After receiving accreditation from AASM you will receive a marketing CD-ROM that contains materials and best practices to help you publicize your program.
Your Staff
By becoming an AASM A-STEP Provider, you have in place a solid and standardized program to ensure thorough and quality education and training for your current and future employees.
Sleep Trainees and Technicians
Beginning in 2010, on-the-job trainees will have to pass the AASM A-STEP Introductory Course and the Self-Study Modules as eligibility requirements for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT™) Exam, which is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). Become an AASM A-STEP Provider now and take advantage of the opportunity to educate and train candidates for the hundreds of candidates that take the RPSGT examination.
Sleep Medicine and Sleep Technology Fields
As a requirement for licensure of sleep technologists, many states now require standardized education and training programs. A-STEP is accepted by several of these states as a formal pathway for licensure, and this recognition is expected to continue and expand.
A-STEP and Online Learning
According to the A-STEP standards, all 80 hours of the A-STEP Introductory Course must be taught on-site. The AASM Board of Directors is now reviewing the requirements for online learning as they pertain to sleep technology. The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine is currently functioning as a beta test program for online learning. During this test phase, 20% of the program’s course material is offered online. If these standards prove successful at the Atlanta program, they may become available to all A-STEP providers. If you have questions regarding the A-STEP standards and online learning please contact Carolyn Winter-Rosenberg at the AASM office: 708-492-0930.
Select one of these links to learn more about A-STEP for educational providers:
Application
Download an application to become an A-STEP provider.
Standards for Accreditation
Download the standards that A-STEP providers must meet to earn program accreditation.
Brochure
Download this brochure to get more information about becoming an A-STEP provider.
Sample Syllabus
Download a sample syllabus for an AASM A-STEP Introductory Course.
Contact the AASM national office for more information about A-STEP for educational providers.
