Start Your Clinical Hours: Quick Step-by-Step Guide
Are you an enrolled student? Watch this Video for a quick, step-by-step breakdown of how to complete your clinical hours and what to expect—so you can get started with confidence.
A quick guide for clinical supervisors on how to verify a student’s 20 clinical hours and complete the required NIHT documentation.
Clinical Training Portal
For Enrolled Students & Clinical Supervisors
This page is for students who are already enrolled in the NIHT Sleep Technology Essentials Program and for clinical supervisors verifying student hours.
If you are a prospective student, please visit the Programs page to learn about enrollment.
Clinical Training Requirement
Students must complete 20 supervised clinical hours before program completion.
Clinical hours may be completed:
- At National Sleep Solutions in Columbus, GA
- Or at an approved local sleep lab selected by the student in their home state
Clinical hours are typically completed over 2 overnight shifts, depending on the clinical site’s schedule and availability.
⚙️ STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
Students must decide where they plan to complete clinical training. Options include: a. NIHT Partner Lab (Columbus, GA) b. Approved Local Sleep Lab in Your State
This form tells NIHT where you plan to complete your 20 clinical hours. All students must complete this form before starting clinical training.
Students using a local sleep lab must submit the Clinical Site Request Form. This form provides NIHT with the clinical site name, address, supervisor information, and contact details needed for review. Students may not begin clinical hours at a local site until the site has been reviewed and approved by NIHT.
Students must complete 20 supervised clinical hours under an approved clinical professional. During clinical training, students may observe and participate in appropriate sleep lab activities based on the site's policies, supervisor approval, and student readiness. Students must follow all clinical site rules, policies, dress code, privacy requirements, and professional conduct expectations.
Step 5: Supervisor Submits Verification
After clinical hours are completed, the clinical supervisor must submit the required documentation electronically. Required supervisor documentation includes: - Clinical Hours Verification Form - Clinical Skills Checklist - Clinical Participation Agreement, if required by the site Clinical hours are not considered complete until NIHT receives and verifies the required documentation.
Outside clinical sites operate independently and may require additional onboarding before a student is allowed to begin clinical training. Site requirements may include: - CPR or BLS certification - Immunization records - Background check - Drug screening - Facility orientation paperwork - Confidentiality agreement - Site-specific student paperwork - Professional liability insurance Students are responsible for meeting any requirements set by the clinical site.
Some clinical sites may require students to obtain their own professional liability insurance before starting clinical hours. If required, the student is responsible for obtaining and paying for this coverage. Estimated cost may vary by provider. Many student liability policies are low-cost annual policies. NIHT does not choose the insurance provider for the student and does not control outside clinical site requirements.
Students are responsible for: - Selecting and confirming their clinical site - Submitting all required NIHT clinical forms - Meeting any onboarding requirements set by the clinical site - Obtaining CPR/BLS, immunization records, background check, drug screen, or liability insurance if required by the site - Following all clinical site policies and procedures - Completing 20 supervised clinical hours - Ensuring the supervisor submits required verification forms
Clinical supervisors are asked to: - Supervise the student during clinical training - Confirm completed clinical hours - Evaluate basic clinical skills using the Clinical Skills Checklist - Submit verification documentation electronically No printing or mailing is required unless your facility requires it.
- NIHT does not guarantee placement at outside clinical sites - Students are responsible for securing approval if using a local site - Clinical sites may set their own requirements - Students must follow all site policies - All clinical hours must be verified before the final exam is released - Clinical hours must be completed before the certificate is issued
Contact NIHT if you are unsure which form to complete or if your clinical site has questions about the process. National Institute for Health Technology 1-833-696-4481
