If you haven’t already noticed, the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine’s Official Blog has recently been updated to include many new features. Our blog now includes an easy way to subscribe via RSS or email, links to our Facebook and YouTube pages, and updates from our Twitter account. Our Blog also features an “About the Blog” section and a Blog Roll of the top Sleep-Related blogs on the internet.
Most importantly, our blog now has a comment section where you can comment on our posts and ask questions to our Sleep School staff. With the introduction of our new blog, we are committed to being your source for answers to your sleep industry questions. We welcome any questions you may have about how to begin, continue, and advance your own sleep career. We want everyone who reads this blog to feel free to post comments and questions even if they aren’t exactly related to the blog entry.
Here are a few examples of past questions that we have recently answered:
Question:
“I am interested in participating in your A-STEP program. Apparently you have just begun a class in January and I did not notice when the next scheduled class would begin. If there is some specific information that you could send me regarding the program, upcoming dates for new classes, costs, etc, I would be most appreciative. Regards, Daniel D. Bonner.”
Answer:
“As an update, our next A-STEP classes will be offered from September 12-18th and from November 14-20th this year. The live A-STEP classes are preceded by 24 hours of online material that the student works on in the 3-4 weeks prior to the 7-day live session. A-STEP classes are offered every other month for easy accessibility. There is a lot of information about our classes here: http://www.sleepschool.com/technologist.aspx. Please email laura.baareman@sleepschool.com if you have more specific questions.”
Question:
“Just a few questions, 1st: As a practicing ENT, what am I looking at as far as being paid for an interpretation for each sleep study? 2nd: Do I have to be on site for reads? i.e., Can I do this from home? 3rd: Can this be done/read like the radiologists are doing? Can I be contracted to read studies from different states? Thank You.”
Answer (From Michael Lacey, M.D., D.ABSM):
“The answer is between $175-250 on average per study, varying with insurance and contracted amounts. However, to interpret studies (especially for patients outside of a physician’s own practice), the interpreter should be board-certified in Sleep Medicine, as that infers a greater level of expertise to bring to bear, and the trend with reimbursement is toward eventually only paying board-certified sleep specialists. Otherwise, those conditions being met, contractual arrangements can be made locally or regionally. And many programs now exist to allow data to be confidentially imported online so home interpretation is possible.”
Question:
“Hi I am cardiologist interested in sleep medicine board certification. What month in 2009 is the next board exam and what requirement do I need to meet before that to be eligible? What is the time required and expenses? Thanks, Usman”
Answer:
“The American Board of Internal Medicine oversees the certification exam in sleep medicine. Eligible candidates must be from the ABIM and its subspecialties (such as pulmonary or cardiology) as well as neurologists and psychiatrists; otolaryngologists; pediatricians and family medicine physicians. Following is information on the “practice pathway” that is open from 2007 – 2011, including details about requirements before taking the 2009 exam: http://www.abim.org/certification/policies/imss/sleep.aspx. In addition, there is more information included here in our recent press release: http://www.sleepschool.com/sleepboardreview.aspx.”
Question:
“I think the “A-STEP” curriculum is a great idea. Especially, for someone like me. Someone who wants to enter the medical profession but, who has no medical/health experience. The questions I have are listed below: 1. What is the cost? 2. What are the curriculum class dates? 3. How long will it take to complete the 80 hours of study? 4. Is there test preparation help available? 5. Is there job placement assistance? 6. Do you have any job related articles, books etc. you would recommend?” Posted by Lynne-Cherise Roland
Answer:
“The Atlanta School is offering A-STEP courses this year from September 12-18th and from November 14-20th. The cost is $3300. The first 24 hours of the course are comprised of interactive online modules. You can study at your own pace in the comfort of your home or office. The last 56 hours of the course are taken at our school during the days listed above. We have a new online review program to help prepare for the test – more info here: http://www.sleepschool.com/technologist.aspx Although we don’t have specialized job placement assistance, we do have a job board on our website. We recommend searching for jobs on the traditional job boards such as http://www.monster.com and http://www.indeed.com. And, it is always a good idea to call local independent sleep labs and hospital-based labs in a 25-mile radius of your home to investigate openings and develop relationships.”
We look forward to reading and answering all your future sleep-related questions.
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