Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

To empower sleep technologists to thrive as essential members of the healthcare team

Envisioned Future

Our strategic plan is designed to empower sleep technologists to thrive as essential, highly skilled members of the healthcare team. By implementing this plan, AAST will create a sustainable workforce of sleep technologists who are prepared, respected, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system.

Valued, Represented, and Connected

Sleep technologists feel valued, represented, and connected to fellow technologists, with AAST serving as the trusted voice, advocate, and resource for their professional growth and success.

Exceptional Patient Care

Technologists deliver exceptional patient care through consistent application of technologist‑specific training, critical thinking, and attentive patient engagement.

Clear Career Pathways

Technologists access clear career pathways supported by robust education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Collaboration Across Disciplines

Technologists collaborate across disciplines, strengthening partnerships with health professionals to improve patient outcomes and elevate the role of sleep medicine.

AAST Values

Member-Centered Impact

Placing sleep technologists at the center of everything we do.

Excellence in Education and Practice

Leading the development and advancement of standards for sleep technologist education.

Community and Professional Connection

Fostering a strong sense of belonging and connection throughout every stage of a technologist’s career.

Advocacy for Recognition & Sustainability

Advancing the profession through advocacy for recognition, sustainable practice, and long-term workforce growth.

Integrity and Collaboration

Building trust and strengthening partnerships through integrity, transparency, and collaboration.

Strategic Goals by Domain

These strategic domains address the field's most critical challenges while delivering meaningful, practical impact for sleep technologists

Sleep technologist working in a clinical sleep lab setting

Education

Develop education based on standard requirements for entering the field and address the emerging roles of technologists in the clinical setting

Community

Develop opportunities for technologists to connect with people and resources that support them throughout all stages of their career and leadership development

Advocacy

Advance advocacy initiatives that reinforce the essential role of technologists in clinical care and ensure reimbursement for services provided by sleep technologists

Strategic Objectives

Education

1.1 Develop foundational education for new technologists, including career navigation, ECG basics, core sleep tech skills, patient communication, and medical history review
1.2 Develop exam prep resources for technologist credentials
1.3 Develop role and competency-based education programs
1.4 Update the AAST list of technologists’ jobs and job descriptions for emerging clinical roles
1.5 Update the clinical competency requirements for technologists based on emerging clinical roles

Community

2.1 Establish role-based affinity groups
2.2 Develop resources and offer group support for managers
2.3 Expand volunteer roles and opportunities within the AAST community
2.4 Establish a leadership development process for volunteers and advancement within the AAST community
2.5 Establish an early-career pipeline by partnering with high schools, colleges, and allied-health programs to attract young professionals to sleep technology and into the AAST community
2.6 Host the AAST Annual meeting in person

Advocacy

3.1 Advocate for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by sleep technologists
3.2 Advocate for private payer reimbursements for home sleep test patient education requirements
3.3 Develop position statements that improve working conditions for sleep technologists
3.4 Establish mutually supportive relationships with allied health professionals and collectively advance shared advocacy initiatives