Home » Patients » The Sleep Team
August 2020 |  Reviewed by:  Rafael J. Sepulveda, MD and Seema Khosla, MD

What is a sleep team?

There is a sleep team near you that is ready to help with your sleep problems. Led by a board-certified sleep medicine physician, the sleep team is expertly trained to help with the management of any sleep disorder. If you have an ongoing sleep problem or struggle to stay awake during the day, the sleep team can help.

What are accredited sleep centers?

To get help from the sleep team, contact a sleep center that is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). There are more than 2,700 AASM-accredited sleep centers in the U.S. Each of these facilities has a board-certified sleep medicine physician and an expertly trained team of health care professionals. Accredited sleep centers provide the highest quality of care for people who have a sleep problem.

An accredited sleep center is eligible to become a member of the AASM. Membership is another indicator that a sleep center is committed to patient care and safety. When selecting a sleep center, look for this Accredited Facility Member logo:

Who are the sleep team professionals?

The composition of the sleep team may vary between sleep centers. Your sleep team may include a combination of the following health care professionals:

Advanced practice registered nurse/physician assistant

Nurses and physician assistants help the board-certified sleep medicine physician provide care for patients who have a sleep disorder. The role of nurses and physician assistants varies by state. Both practice within the scope of practice as defined by a state licensing board.

Behavioral sleep medicine specialist

Mental health professionals with training in behavioral sleep medicine can work with patients to address the behavioral and psychological factors that interfere with sleep. These specialists use cognitive behavioral therapy to eliminate habits, behaviors and environmental disruptions that hinder sleep. A sleep doctor may refer you to a behavioral sleep medicine specialist for insomnia treatment or to help you get used to using CPAP for sleep apnea.

Board-certified sleep medicine physician

As the captain of the sleep team, a board-certified sleep medicine physician has all the skills necessary to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Each sleep specialist has received special training that can prevent serious life-threatening diseases and improve your quality of life. Board certification shows a level of dedication and understanding of the field of sleep medicine.

A board-certified sleep medicine physician is the medical professional with the proper training to diagnose the full range of sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, or other sleep disorders.

Dentist

A dentist helps treat and manage your snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy while the board-certified sleep physician oversees care. Your sleep doctor may refer you to a dentist if you have mild or moderate sleep apnea. Dentists that work in the sleep team have had education in sleep disorders. Your doctor will work with you and the dentist to ensure the treatment is effective. The dentist will help by making any adjustments to the therapy, if necessary.

Sleep surgeon

A sleep surgeon is a surgeon with a specific interest in treating snoring and sleep apnea. Some sleep surgeons are board-certified in sleep medicine. Sleep surgeons work closely with board-certified sleep physicians to provide care for patients. The surgeon will discuss potential types of surgery to treat your snoring and sleep apnea, including the risks and benefits of each. After surgery, a sleep study is necessary to evaluate results thoroughly.

Sleep technologist

Sleep technologists assist in the evaluation and follow-up care of patients with sleep disorders. Sleep technologists interact directly with patients by assisting the board-certified sleep medicine physician with diagnostic tests at most sleep centers. These tests include a sleep study, Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test. Sleep technologists also analyze the results of sleep tests prior to the interpretation by the board-certified sleep medicine physician. They also provide assistance with home sleep apnea tests. Each sleep technologist has completed special training and obtained certification from a credentialing body such as the American Board of Sleep Medicine or the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

If you think you have a sleep disorder, find an AASM-accredited sleep center near you to get help from the sleep team.