Sleep Technicians or Polysomnographic Technicians are key players in providing quality sleep medicine care. They are primarily responsible for conducting and administering a variety of sleep study procedures.<\/p>\n
Through his work in the field, Jonathan Wilcox, lead sleep technologist at the UR Medicine Sleep Center, has experienced the positive impact a career in healthcare can make.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m able to see a real difference in a patient’s quality of life,\u201d said Wilcox. \u201cMany times, there’s immediate feedback and response to some treatments. Patients can awaken in the morning after a successful treatment, feeling like they\u2019ve had their first real good night of rest in years. Or patients with a severe condition often come back to the clinic for follow-up months or years later and express such a positive experience, whether it\u2019s losing weight, having more energy during the day, or being able to maintain a healthier lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sleep Technician is just one of 17 high-demand positions supported by the UR Career Pathways program, providing University employees with tuition advancement, paid release time, supports, and resources that will lead to career empowerment and advancement.<\/p>\n
Requiring a two-year Associate Degree in Polysomnography Technology, the field is growing. With 110 sleep centers in New York state and only 12 graduates statewide last year, high demand is an understatement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have recently partnered with Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) for an online degree program in polysomnography for UR Career Pathways participants,\u201d said Jamila Smith, UR Career Pathways development manager. \u201cPreliminary courses can be done online and clinical training will be at the University\u2019s adult and pediatric sleep labs. We are hoping this will make education easier for our staff members who may be interested in a career in a growing healthcare field, right here at the University of Rochester.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many sleep technicians start working overnights three days each week. The schedule is great for night owls by nature who prefer to have the extra days off for work-life balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’d recommend this role to those who are looking for a job in healthcare but don’t necessarily want to become a nurse or doctor,\u201d said Wilcox, who started out as an entry-level tech. \u201cAs the lab grew, I transitioned to a daytime tech to specialize in the sleep data scoring aspect, daytime sleep study procedures, and to help launch our Home Sleep Apnea Screening program back in 2012. I really enjoy the opportunity to provide excellent direct patient care to individuals and to have a positive impact on their quality of life, but this role also satisfies my \u2018techie\u2019 side.\u201d<\/p>\n
UR Career Pathways<\/a> is now accepting applications<\/a> for the next group of participants. To start the Polysomnography program at HVCC in the Fall, applications must be received by Monday, July 31. Learn more about Sleep Technicians<\/a> or see the list of all high-demand positions<\/a> on the UR Career Pathways program<\/a> website. An information session<\/a> will also be available via ZOOM on Thursday, July 27 at noon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sleep Technicians or Polysomnographic Technicians are key players in providing quality sleep medicine care. They are primarily responsible for conducting and administering a variety of sleep study procedures. Through his…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[356],"tags":[1322],"class_list":["post-125432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-updates","tag-urcp"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"