A piece of cutting-edge technology is breathing new life into Highline Community College’s Respiratory Care and Polysomnographic Technology programs.

The programs will host a free event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20, celebrating the arrival of the new SimMan, an advanced human simulator that breathes and talks. Current students will be performing advanced cardiac life support codes throughout the event. The event is open to the public.

Respiratory Care and Polysomnographic Technology students receive training in the college’s state-of-the-art sleep lab so they have the skills they need to work immediately in these high-demand professions after graduation.

There’s an increasing need in the medical field for more polysomnography technicians who help diagnose and treat more than 90 different sleep disorders.

“Demand is very high within Washington state and across the nation as hospitals and independent sleep labs are expanding to meet the increasing number of patients referred by family physicians and cardiologists,” said Nicki Bly, program coordinator for the Polysomnographic Technician program.

In addition, job openings for respiratory therapists are expected to climb 19 percent from 2006 to 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Respiratory therapists work with doctors and health care staff in medical facilities to find the best treatment for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.

“Students who complete the program will enter a profession that is never boring and allows them to make a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Bob Bonner, program coordinator for the Respiratory Care program. “They will get much more out of their career than just a paycheck.”

Both programs are accepting applications through May 1, 2009 for fall quarter 2009.

An Associate of Applied Arts degree in the Respiratory Care or the Polysomnographic Technology program may be completed in seven quarters. A certificate in the polysomnography program may be completed in three quarters.

Information sessions about the programs take place in Building 26, room 219, on Highline’s main campus throughout the academic year.

Upcoming sessions are:

• 1 p.m. Feb. 4

• 11 a.m. Feb. 18

• 1 p.m. March 4

• 1 p.m. April 1

• 11 a.m. April 15

• 1 p.m. May 6

• 1 p.m. June 3

For more information, visit http://polysom.highline.edu or http://respiratory.highline.edu.