State of the RPSGT
Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, LLC
4rd Annual Sleep Conference
“Keep Texas Sleeping”
Michael Brennen, RPSGT
October 28th, 2011
Financial Disclosure
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BRPT Board of Directors
Treasurer
Chair, Government Relations Committee
About BRPT
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An independent, non-profit certification board for the
field of sleep technology.
32 years cultivating the highest professional and
ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
credential currently held by more than 17,000
RPSGTs worldwide.
New RPSGTs Certified Annually: 1979-2010
New RPSGTs Certified Annually: 2005-2010
2,500
2,168
1,741
2,000
1,578
1,497
1,211
1,500
943
RPSGTs
1,000
500
0
2005
2006
2007
2008*
2009
2010
*A-STEP Module requirement implemented July 1, 2008
International RPSGT Candidates 2006-2010
Exam Development Committee
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Includes volunteer subject matter experts credentialed
in sleep technology and working actively in the field
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Diverse by experience level, geography, age, gender,
and work situation
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Team develops items for the RPSGT exam and
maintains and enhances the RPSGT item bank under
the direction of Pearson VUE
A World Class Testing Partner
The Pearson VUE team
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Working with BRPT Subject Matter Experts
(SMEs) oversees the development and
maintenance of the RPSGT exam
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Delivers the RPSGT exam around the world
in state of the art testing facilities
Testing Model
The RPSGT exam is computer-based and offered to
candidates on an “on demand” basis. Results are
delivered in real time.
Candidate Performance
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Year to date 2011, the overall pass rate for the
RPSGT exam was 61% (1487 candidates)
 56% for Pathway #1 candidates: candidates
with 18 months PSG experience
 78% for Pathway #2 candidates: candidates
holding another recognized credential
 71% for Pathway #3 candidates: graduates
of CAAHEP-accredited programs in PSG
Candidate Performance
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For comparison:
 ABRET/EEG written exam pass rate 20032010: 40% with 3 years experience; 62% with
associate’s degree; 65% CAAHEP END grads
 NBRC / RRT written exam / new candidates
2010: 62%, minimum CRT; options for
associate’s degree, 62 hours college credit,
and varying lengths of experience
The Job Task Analysis
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A solid job task analysis is the cornerstone of a
valid, reliable credentialing exam
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Conducted every 3-5 years
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Key component: an extensive survey of individuals
currently working in the field to be tested
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Most recent RPSGT job task analysis: 2009
The Job Task Analysis
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Under the direction of Pearson VUE psychometric
team, surveyed the current RPSGT database
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Results of survey reviewed by carefully selected,
representative panel of SMEs
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The exam blueprint is built on the results of the
survey: not on what the SMEs may think the results
should be.
The Job Task Analysis
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A valid job task analysis assures that we are testing
what we should be testing. It assures the legal
defensibility of the RPSGT exam.
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The results of the next job task analysis will
change as our field changes. And the RPSGT
exam will change and evolve.
Recertification
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All RPSGTs must recertify every 5 years by earning
a minimum of 50 continuing education credits.
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A recertification requirement–almost unheard of in
allied health only 20 years ago–is now universally
recognized as critical to assuring continued
competency.
Recertification: A look at the
numbers
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1,562 RPSGTs have completed the
recertification process
5,059 RPSGTs are uploading CECs online
(BRPT’s free online recertification portal)
69,386 CECs have been logged into the
database
281,144.63 hours have been entered by
RPSGTs – that’s over 32 years of cumulative
education!
NCCA Accreditation
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RPSGT exam is the only exam specific to the sleep
field that is accredited by the National Commission
for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body
of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
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NCCA accreditation represents independent third
party validation of all processes involved in the
development and delivery of the RPSGT exam.
NCCA Accreditation Requires
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A rigorous job task analysis, assuring that BRPT is
offering a valid exam, reflective of the knowledge,
skills, and tasks required of a working RPSGT.
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Stringent recertification requirements
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Annual reporting to NCCA to assure on-going
compliance with best credentialing industry
practices
NCCA Accreditation Supports
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The standing of the RPSGT credential with state and
federal regulators
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The standing of the credential under reimbursement
guidelines for Medicare and Medicaid
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The standing of the credential within the allied health
community
The Challenge
The core challenge facing our field today: the lack of
standardized, readily available educational programs
and educational resources in sleep technology.
Looking Ahead
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BRPT will continue to actively support CAAHEP and the
development of new and innovative educational
resources for RPSGT candidates.
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BRPT will continue to function as a strong, independent
credentialing body for the field of sleep technology,
independent of the undue influence of a parent
organization
Looking Ahead
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BRPT leadership will continue active outreach to
credential holders:
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BRPT presence at professional events continues in
2011-2012: FOCUS, CSET, Southern Sleep Society,
Alabama Sleep Society, NESS, Carolina Sleep
Society, GASP, APSS, West Virginia Sleep Society,
Texas Society of Sleep Professionals and numerous
other state and regional events.
Looking Ahead
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BRPT will remain an active participant in the allied
health and professional credentialing communities
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Health Professions Network
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National Sleep Foundation
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National Sleep Awareness Roundtable
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Association of Test Publishers
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Institute for Credentialing Excellence
Looking Ahead
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BRPT will continue to engage the
professional sleep media in support of BRPT
credentials:
 Upcoming
Sleep Review editorial
 Feature in Sleep Diagnostics
 Recurring BRPT “Quiz Page” in Advance for
Respiratory Care
 Recurring “Credentialing Update” in A2Zzzzz
Looking Ahead
Support
the RPSGT exam according to best practices in
professional credentialing,
Support
the CPSGT exam as a strong, early
commitment to building a career in sleep technology
Looking Ahead
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BRPT will engage credential holders and
respond to their concerns:
 RPSGT
Recertification: effective June 1, 2011,
RPSGTs will no longer be required to earn
CECs in specific categories.
 Requirement: 50 CECs – total -- earned over 5
years
 Responding to concerns around travel costs
and limited CEC availability
Looking Ahead
BRPT will continue to support a community of
credentialed sleep technologists, offering:
A
robust website supporting the BRPT credentialing
program and the needs of BRPT credential holders
An
An
increasingly popular Facebook page
active job board, available to employers and job
seekers
Looking Ahead
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An interactive message board, serving as a forum
for BRPT credential holders
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The BRPT President’s blog, featuring occasional
guest bloggers
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A quarterly online newsletter
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An online continuing education tracking tool,
available to all BRPT credential holders
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An annual, RPSGT-only Symposium
Continuing Sleep Technology
Education
Granting Continuing
Education Credits to
education providers
supporting the
professional development
of sleep technologists and
high-quality patient care.
Continuing Sleep Technology
Education
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Educational programs approved by BRPT
must meet the following criteria:
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Planned and conducted by qualified individuals.
Address an identified need within the sleep
technology profession.
Contain specific written learning objectives.
Continuing Sleep Technology
Education
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Program content and instructional methods lead
to specific learning objectives.
An evaluation method is used to determine if the
learning objectives were obtained.
A post-test is required for Self-Learning programs.
RPSGTs who attend programs offering
CSTE credits will have those credits
automatically entered into their recertification
portal.
Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate
Program
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Will be offered at the FOCUS conference
Nashville TN May 9, 2012
Assessment based certificate program
Provides non-physician health care providers
working in sleep medicine training and
education to aid in the care and management
of patients with sleep disorders, primarily
sleep apnea
Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate
Program
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Recognizes the importance of HCPs who
collaborate with physicians, patients and
families in the delivery of services and
management of sleep disorders
Emphasizes the important role of nonphysician HCPs in successful disease
management, community support, and the
standard of care and education provided to
patients and families.
Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate
Program
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The faculty includes RNs, doctors, and
inviduals active in patient advocacy
The program will award a certificate of
completion and will carry CSTE continuing
education credit.
More Information? www.brpt.org
American Board of Sleep Medicine: Sleep
Technologist Registry Examination
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Announced Jan. 2011
A certification examination to sleep
technologists based on a blueprint reflective
of the day-to-day professional responsibilities
of sleep technologists in the sleep center
setting and instruction received from
available didactic programs.
ABSM: RST Credential
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A third examination pathway enables sleep
technologists greater options when taking the
certification examination for their profession,
which is increasingly required by law. The
examination offered by the ABSM does not
have a “stated goal of producing a high pass
rate” as inferred by the BRPT.
ABSM: RST Credential
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There is no intention by the ABSM to
undermine the RPSGT credential or its value
in the profession. Current holders of the
RPSGT credential will be grandfathered into
the new credential if they elect this option.
RST Eligibility Requirements
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Graduates of CAAHEP or Co/ARC programs
in polysomnography
Completion of the 80 hr. A-STEP Introductory
Program, the full series of A-STEP training
modules (on-line) and have exceeded a
minimum experience in an AASM accredited
sleep center
RST Eligibility Requirements
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Health Professionals (MD, DO, Ph.D or
Psy.D. in health related discipline, PA, RN or
LPN; allied health professionals—RRT, CRT,
R. EEG. T., EMT-P, Radiology (RT, RT(R),
RT(CT), RT(BD) with Minimum experience in
an AASM-accredited sleep center
Experience Requirement
:
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Independent performance of 50 overnight
sleep studies
Of the 50 overnight sleep studies, a minimum
of 20 must include CPAP titration
Performance of one Multiple Sleep Latency
Test
RST Examination
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Fee: $250
To be offered on-site in Darien, IL Nov. 11,
2011
RST Equivalency for RPSGTs
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“Grandfathering”
Documentation of continuing education
activites (avg. 10 hrs/yr over a 3 year period)
$25 fee
Should I Obtain the RST
Credential?
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No requirement for RST credential to work in
an AASM accredited lab
Not recognized by CMS for reimbursement
for performing testing on Medicare patients
Not recognized in any state for PSG
licensure or limited exemption from an
existing respiratory care practice act
Looking Ahead
The RPSGT credential will remain the gold
standard in our field, and a source of wellearned pride for the 17,000 sleep
technologists who carry the credential.
www.brpt.org