The BRPT Pediatric Sleep Certificate Exam is now open. Please visit our Pediatric Sleep Certificate Exam page for more information.
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Author: Ashley Shelton
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Spotlight On A New BRPT Board Member: Eduardo Hernández BS, RPSGT, CCSH
Spotlight On A New BRPT Board Member: Eduardo Hernández BS, RPSGT, CCSH
BRPT Editor: Please tell us a little bit about your current role/position at Nemours Children’s Hospital Sleep Center.
Eduardo Hernandez: Currently I’m back to full time day scoring; I didn’t realize how much I missed this role until I returned to doing it again! Around mid-March our Sleep Center was shut down due to COVID-19 and we were all redeployed to different areas of the hospital. I had the opportunity to step up to a Labor Pool Supervisor position during this period of shut-down, and it was a very rewarding experience to be able to work side-by-side with folks from all disciplines and backgrounds here in the hospital. However, it is very nice to be back “home” and to focus on our sleep patients: Scoring, Reporting, Scheduling, Confirmation calls, Follow-ups, Running day studies both In-patient and Out-patient, Education for both patients and staff, and everything else a Sleep Technologist does…it feels GREAT to be back at it!
BRPT Editor: You’ve been involved with the BRPT through the Exam Development Committee (EDC) but as a new BRPT Board member what do you hope to gain from your role as a Director on the Board?
EH: I’m very fortunate to be a part of the EDC. Aside from patient care, it’s some of the most rewarding work I feel that a technologist can contribute to in order to maintain the validity, credibility, and current standards and guidelines of the exams, and therefore the profession. As technological advancements occur in sleep medicine, I want to help ensure we are at the forefront of adapting and maintaining the integrity and validity of sleep technology concurrent with these advancements.
BRPT Editor: As you hold both the RPSGT and CCSH credentials, tell us how you use these credentials and why earning the CCSH was important to you.
EH: I constantly use both of these credentials; whether it’s evaluating my own family’s sleep at home, being volunteered by my wife to chime in on the “I don’t sleep well” conversations at get-togethers, or educating patients and fellow coworkers about current concepts in sleep, these credentials are put to use daily. Anything that deals with technology is bound to change, and sleep technology is not exempt from these changes. The RPSGT has been established as the Gold Standard for years when it comes to evaluating competence in sleep technology. As more and more changes have occurred, and patients have been increasing in complexity in terms of comorbidities and sleep disorders, I thought it was important that I do my part and expand my knowledge of sleep technology and medicine, to be able to assist in treating the patient as a whole and not just on the night of their in-lab sleep study. This is why the CCSH is important to me; it has given me the basis to more effectively evaluate the patient’s clinical sleep health and to offer potential solutions to the patient’s sleep-related issues.
BRPT Editor: What advice do you have for sleep techs entering the field today?
EH: I highly encourage sleep techs who are entering the field to take their time and to learn, learn, learn as much as they can about the profession. For me, that path meant starting with taking and passing the CPSGT exam. The experience of studying for that first exam and then going through the testing center process, made me much more confident when it came time to take the RPSGT exam. I encourage sleep techs to “test” each other and to update one another on current concepts, guidelines, or changes in our field, to keep ideas fresh and above all – don’t be afraid of to ask questions. In addition, sleep groups and forums are great ways of gauging current concepts, concerns, and topics in our field. That said, it’s important to cross-reference and avoid relying on social media and other forums as the prime source of your sleep education. The BRPT has designated Candidate Handbooks for the CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH exams that include a list of Primary References within each handbook; these are terrific resources.
BRPT Editor: Tell us what you like to do in your free time.
EH: I love to play soccer. There is a local sport and social league that I participate in and it really gets the blood pumping after years of not playing competitively. It’s always nice to be able to get out, have some human interaction, and celebrate afterwards with a beer, win or lose.
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BRPT Names Andrea Ramberg President-Elect of the Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lydia Pelliccia
lpelliccia@brpt.org
202.422.5205
The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Names Andrea Ramberg President-Elect of the Board of Directors
Michael McLeland Begins Term as Treasurer; Amber Allen as Secretary
Angelica Benitez Yusti Joins The Board
Arlington, VA – November 4, 2020 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) named Andrea Ramberg, BA, RPSGT, CCSH, President-Elect of the Board of Directors. Her two-year term as President will begin in January 2022. Ramberg has been a member of the BRPT Board since 2018 where she has served as chair of the BRPT’s Public Relations & Marketing committee, the Finance committee, and is currently serving as Treasurer. Ramberg is a Clinical Informaticist for EnsoData, helping to bring sleep into the future using Artificial Intelligence.
“Andrea has been an innovative and effective member of the sleep technologists profession for more than a decade,” said BRPT President Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH. “Her energy, creative ideas and love of the profession make her a strong advocate for both the RPSGT and CCSH credentials. From her contributions to BRPT to her work with AAST and the World Sleep Society, Andrea’s tireless efforts to increase the professionalism of sleep technologists – both in and outside of the US – are commendable.”
“I’m honored and excited to serve as the Board’s next President,” said Andrea Ramberg, BA, RPSGT, CCSH. “I want to empower technologists to feel confident in the future of sleep medicine by helping to frame and support that conversation while guiding technologists on a clear, progressive and rewarding path forward.”
Michael McLeland, PhD., M.Ed., BA, RPSGT, will begin his term as Treasurer and Amber Allen, BA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH, will begin her term as Secretary in January 2021. McLeland is the Technical Director for the sleep center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri and teaches pediatric sleep in the ASTEP program at Washington University School of Medicine. He currently chairs BRPT’s Professional Review committee and the Publications committee. Allen is the Program Director to the CAAHEP-accredited Polysomnographic Technology Program at Collin College in McKinney, TX and serves on the Public Relations & Marketing committee and chairs the education and CSTE committee for the BRPT.
Added Marquis, “We’re also thrilled to welcome our newest member to the Board, Angelica Benitez Yusti, who is the Co-founder of globalsleepeducation.org, where she delivers the STAR program in Spanish to medical professionals in Latin America. Angelica’s international expertise will bolster our role as the global leader in sleep technologist credentialing.”
Michael McLeland Receives The Shining Star Award
Marquis awarded BRPT board member Michael McLeland, PhD., M.Ed., BA, RPSGT, the BRPT President’s Shining Star Award for his dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Said Marquis, “I’m excited to recognize Michael with the Shining Star Award. His leadership efforts in the conception and development of the Pediatric Sleep Certificate Exam were instrumental. Michael spearheaded this important initiative which we’re excited to launch in the coming weeks.”
These new roles in Board leadership take effect January 1, but an official installation will take place if not in person virtually, at the next Board of Directors meeting in February.
About The BRPT Board
The BRPT Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer members, all of whom serve four-year terms. The Board is international in scope and blends the expertise of the sleep community representing the interests of the consumer, patients, educators, and sleep technologists. Biographies of all BRPT Board members can be found at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
New Board Member Biography
Angelica Benitez Yusti, RPSGT, RST
Angelica Benitez Yusti, is the Co-founder of globalsleepeducation.org, where she delivers the STAR program in Spanish to medical professionals in Latin America. Angelica brings nearly a decade of experience in the sleep field and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care from the Universidad Santiago de Cali of Colombia and a Postgraduate Graduate Diploma Course in Nursing Management from West and Ealing College in the United Kingdom. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish, and holds the RPSGT and RST credentials. In addition, she is a Certified Technologist in Colombia by ACMES, the Colombian sleep association. Angelica also serves as a Sleep Educator at Manuela Beltran University in Colombia, which administers the Sleep Diploma Program.
About The BRPT
The BRPT develops and administers credentialing exams for polysomnographic technologists and technicians. The RPSGT is respected worldwide as the leading credential for polysomnographic technologists. Since the first credentialing exam administration in 1979, BRPT has credentialed more than 20,000 RPSGTs worldwide. In 2014, BRPT launched the Certification In Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) examination for healthcare providers specializing in sleep medicine who work directly with sleep medicine patients, families and practitioners for patient care management, improved outcomes, and sleep health education and advocacy for patients and the community.
Headquartered in Arlington, VA, the BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. In addition to administering the RPSGT, CPSGT, and CCSH exams in the United States and internationally, the BRPT also maintains the RPSGT registry and CPSGT roster. The BRPT also provides its Continuing Sleep Technology Education (CSTE) Program for educational providers seeking continuing education credits for their offerings. For more information, please visit brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
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Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Names Janice East President of the Board of Directors
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BRPT recently caught up with Stacey Myers, RPSGT, CCSH, who took the AAST’s CCSH Designated Education program to meet CCSH exam eligibility under Pathway 3.
BRPT recently caught up with Stacey Myers, RPSGT, CCSH, who took the AAST’s CCSH Designated Education program to meet CCSH exam eligibility under Pathway 3.
“I found the recorded modules easy to follow and the information very valuable,” said Stacey Myers, RPSGT, CCSH, who earned her CCSH credential In March. “The information provided gave me important knowledge and critical details on some areas that I don’t normally practice on the night shift. This greatly helped in preparing me for the CCSH exam.”
The AAST CCSH Designated Education Program is for candidates with an active RPSGT credential. Upon completion of this seven module series, and receiving a passing score on the post-test, RPSGT credential holders who have recertified at least once are eligible to sit for the CCSH examination, under BRPT’s Pathway #3. Candidates must provide proof they passed the post-test with a score of 70 percent or higher to receive a certificate of eligibility to apply. BRPT also requires current BLS certification for eligibility.
Added Myers, “I wanted to earn the CCSH credential for professional growth and expansion. I recently opened a new sleep lab and I’m eager to add this service and higher level of expertise to better serve our patients.”
To learn more about the CCSH examination – go to https://brpt.org/ccsh/
To learn more about the program – go to https://www.aastweb.org/ccsh-resources
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Recertifications due during COVID-19
Remember to check your due date! Use the portal to submit your CECs and do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. if you need assistance, please contact the office at info@brpt.org.
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PearsonVue Test Centers have reopened
PearsonVue Test Centers have reopened. Click here for updates and new safety protocols.
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The RPSGT Exam – Troubleshooting Tricky Areas
By: Rachel Mouton, RPSGT, CCSH, LPN, Chair of the Exam Development Committee and Becky
Appenzeller, RPSGT, R. EEG T., CNIM, CCSH, Director of the Exam Development Committee.
In an effort to further support our exam candidates, we conducted a lengthy review of RPSGT
exam results going back as far as 2010. Our goal was to identify the areas of the exam where
candidates appeared to have the most difficulty. All BRPT exams are administered through our
testing partner, PearsonVUE, which provides Technical Analysis Reports (TAR). The TAR reports
provide statistics on each exam question, which allows us to track the areas of the exam where
candidates seem to falter the most.
Based on the current exam blueprint, the weakest areas of the RPSGT exam are the Domains
and subcategories outlined below. After each, we offer “Study Tips” to help candidates frame
how they approach and prepare for these sections.
DOMAIN 2: SLEEP STUDY PREPARATION AND PERFORMANCE » 29.3%
TASK A: Technical preparation
vi. Technical specifications and instrumentation
This section of the exam includes concepts such as understanding system references, sampling
rates, filters, etc.
Study Tip: Be sure to review the AASM recommended guidelines for specific monitoring such
as nasal pressure, respiratory effort and cortical channels.
TASK C: Procedures and practice guidelines
v. Home sleep apnea testing (HSAT)
Study Tip: Review the AASM recommended guidelines for performing HSAT, paying close
attention to automated scoring versus over scoring, reporting parameters and respiratory event
index.
TASK D: Identify, respond, and document
ii. Artifact
Study Tip: Make sure you recognize specific artifacts and what to do about them; for example,
pulse, respiration, ECG, and cardioballistic. In addition, make sure you recognize when to
replace a monitor versus when to wait versus when to remontage. For example, you shouldn’t
wake a patient out of REM sleep to reapply an electrode, rather wait until the patient awakens
or remontage appropriately. Lastly, this section contains a lot of graphic examples, so be sure
you can look at a montage and identify the artifact and where it’s coming from.
DOMAIN 3: SCORING, REPORTING, AND DATA VERIFICATION » 25.3%
TASK A: Adult PSG
i. Sleep stages
Study Tip: Make sure you are familiar with staging sleep epochs (graphics) and can recognize
specific waveforms, i.e. k complexes, spindles, sawtooth waves, alpha, delta, lateral eye
movement, etc.
vi. Cardiac events
Study Tip: Make sure you can recognize specific cardiac abnormalities, i.e. bigeminy, a-fib, aflutter, tachycardia, bradycardia, v-tach AND know which are life-threatening arrhythmias.
Further, you should also have the ability to determine (calculate) heart rate based on the
graphic.
DOMAIN 4: THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION » 28%
TASK A: PAP therapy (e.g., CPAP, bilevel, ASV, NIPPV)
v. Troubleshooting (e.g., leak levels, pressure release, humidification)
Study Tip: In this section you should be familiar with the challenges that can occur, and
understand the appropriate responses, such as mask leaks, humidity, pressure release, tube
condensation and waveform flattening.
The most important guidance we can give you as you prepare for the RPSGT exam, is to
always remember that the exam tests against RECOMMENDED guidelines, NOT individual lab
protocols. This means, study the AASM scoring manual, AASM recommended guidelines, and
AASM practice parameters. And lastly, memorize the recommended sampling rates, low filters
and high filters.
Finally, candidates are required to read and agree to a Confidentiality and Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on the computer screen prior to starting the exam. The NDA appears on the computer screen when the test begins. Candidates have 3 minutes to read and agree to the NDA or the testing session is immediately terminated. Don’t forget to agree to this!
Good Luck!!
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A note about packages delivered to the BRPT offices that require signatures
We apologize that some of you may have had parcels returned that require signatures. That is a direct result of our limited access to our office space during the government-mandated COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. In the State of Virginia, where the BRPT offices are headquartered, we have started a Phase 1 reopening plan that should, we hope, reduce or eliminate this problem as full-staffing levels are authorized to resume in our office building.
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Clinical Sleep Health Specialists – 2020 State of the Industry Survey Findings
By Jessica Schmidt, MA, FACHE, RPSGT, CCSH
BRPT Past-President
The BRPT recently conducted a survey of all its credential holders to get a better understanding of the current state of the clinical sleep health industry. We asked a broad range of questions including, how sleep specialists entered the profession, how long they’ve been in the field and in what capacity. We also asked them to share their thoughts on where the profession is headed, how long they plan to stay in sleep as well as reasons for why they would leave the profession. It’s important to note that this survey was conducted in January and February of 2020 before the coronavirus global pandemic became the new normal for many of us.
We had a terrific response to the survey with more than 1,400 respondents. We also gleaned some fantastic insights – far too many to share in one blog post. Below are some of the top-line highlights that paint the general landscape. Future blog posts will delve into specific issues sleep professionals face and their thoughts and concerns on where the industry is headed. Finally, we learned of some misperceptions around the BRPT’s role, which we’ll work to clarify.
A Summary of Top Line Findings
• There were a total of 1,403 respondents; more than 70 percent of whom have been in sleep for more than 10 years.
• Half of all respondents are between the ages of 30-50.
• More than 60 percent entered the field through on the job training.
• Forty percent of respondents work in community hospitals; nearly 20 percent work in free standing labs.
• We saw an almost even split between night shift workers (50 percent) and day shift workers (48 percent).
• Most respondents feel that home sleep testing is growing but they are fairly split on whether or not it’s hurting their business.
• Patient staffing ratios generally fall in the two patients per technologist ratio.
• More than half of the respondents work 12 hour shifts.
• When asked: In your lab, how are studies scored; 40.5 percent said studies are scored on the fly/at night while 64.2 percent answered during the day by a different technologist.
• Twelve percent of respondents hold the CCSH credential; when asked in a later question: If you don’t already have the CCSH credential, 31 percent of respondents said they intend to obtain it. Note: 98 percent of all respondents hold the RPSGT credential.
Why It Matters
I was heartened to see these data and other insights offered. First of all, it’s clear that sleep is not strictly a field of “night shift” workers. Many of the techs working days are doing more DME and physician office support. Secondly, when asked what would cause respondents to leave the field – nearly 70 percent stated retirement as their primary reason. And thirdly, when asked to describe the vitality of their work setting, more than half said they feel it is strong with a promising future.
Stay tuned for the next installment of The State of the Industry!
Jessica Schmidt is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as a Senior Administrator at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, where she oversees the Department of Medicine. She is also the co-founder of integrativealchemists.com where she provides Sleep Health Education as well as regular blog updates on topics relevant to general health and wellness from an Integrative perspective.