Are you a polysomnographer (sleep lab tech) or do you know one closely?
Asked by cajuncutie
Hi, I've been looking into this field. There doesn't seem to be much on the internet from the personal standpoint of these professionals. For instance, and please don't think this is silly but is it always night shift and if so, what are the hours? How is your working environment, do you enjoy it and do you work alone in a dark booth or with another tech? And how do you balance your life with this job? I know those are a lot of questions but any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer:
It is usually always a 10-12 hour shift at night. That's when the patient is being monitored. They try to make it as normal to what the patients (or sleep subject) schedule. It is quiet and darkened after the subjects come in and go to sleep. Some sleep centers have nursing staff that will work 4 days on and 4 days off. It just depends upon the schedule of the sleep center. The balance can become difficult but becomes routine You can work with a small staff (depends upon how large the center is) and you spend time monitoring patients and data. The working environment is clean and mellow and has individual rooms for the patients that look like little hotel rooms. They have monitors and leads that hook up to the subject. I suggest you call a sleep center or a hospital that has a sleep center and ask if you can have more information regarding the program. Or perhaps they can link you to information and education. Good luck.