News

The BRPT Names Amber Allen President-Elect of the Board of Directors

The BRPT Names Amber Allen President-Elect of the Board of Directors
Eduardo Hernandez Begins Term As Secretary, BRPT Welcomes Three New Board Members

Arlington, VA – December 16, 2022 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) named Amber Allen, BA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH President-Elect of the Board of Directors. Her two-year term as President will begin in January 2024. Allen has been a member of the BRPT Board since 2017 serving as Secretary as well as Chair of the Education, CSTE and STAR committees. Allen is currently the Program Director to the CAAHEP-accredited Polysomnographic Technology Program at Collin College in McKinney, TX.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Amber as the next BRPT President,” said Andrea Ramberg, MS, RPSGT, CCSH. “A consummate educator and mentor, Amber is one of the hardest working professionals I know. She’s dedicated to the field and passionate about ushering in the next generation of sleep technologists, ensuring they have the right skills to succeed.”

Said Amber Allen, BA, RPSGT, RST, CCSH, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on a variety of projects for the BRPT and learning from this diverse team of leaders who represent different areas of this growing profession. I‘m excited for this next challenge and couldn’t be happier to continue our work together to support the profession we care so deeply about.”

Eduardo Hernández, BS, RPSGT, CCSH will begin his term as Secretary in January 2023 and serves as Chair of the BRPT’s Exam Development Committee. Hernandez worked at various adult and pediatric hospital-based sleep centers in Puerto Rico and is currently working at ZOLL Itamar Medical as a clinical sales specialist.

Immediate Past President, Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH received the President’s Shining Star Award for his leadership in spearheading the BRPT’s Educational Grant Programs. Said Ramberg, “Steve was the driving force behind the development and implementation of the CCSH Educational Grant, the A-STEP/STAR Grant and most recently, the Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship programs. These programs have been extremely well-received and a highlight for all of us on the Board.”

In addition, the Board welcomes three new members, Steve Glinka, BS, RPSGT, from Concord, NC; Christopher Hamm, Esq., from Bedford, TX; and, and Kenan Hoelke, BS, RPSGT, CCSH from Iceland.
These new roles in Board leadership take effect January 1, but an official installation will take place 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 Biographies
Steve Glinka, BS, RPSGT, (Director)
Stephen Glinka’s career in sleep medicine has spanned over 20 years in a variety of leadership capacities. He began at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as an RPSGT, followed by years as a Lead Technologist, then Clinical Coordinator for Sleep Services of America. This experience set the foundation for his time as a PSG instructor for the Lenoir Community College Program, where he also served on the college’s PSG Advisory Board, culminating in his roles as Area Manager, later Regional Manager, and most recently, the Director of Clinical Operations at MedBridge Healthcare. Steve earned his Bachelor’s degree from William Peace University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and is currently enrolled in East Carolina University’s Graduate School for Public Health.

Christopher Hamm, Esq (Director- Public Member)
Originally from New Jersey, Christopher has lived in Texas for more than a decade. He is an attorney in private practice and opened his own firm in 2017. Christopher specializes in family law, estate planning, probate and guardianships. In addition, he is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Collin College Polysomnographic Technology program. Christopher and his wife are excitedly expecting their first child due in March. In his spare time he enjoys watching and playing sports including golf.

Kenan Hoelke, BS, RPSGT, CCSH (Director)
Kenan Hoelke has been involved in polysomnography since 2002. During this time, he worked in three countries across two continents. Kenan began his career at a small independent sleep laboratory in Ottawa, Canada. He then transferred to a provincially run hospital-based sleep laboratory in Barrie, Canada. Later he moved to the United States where he accepted the position of Senior Polysomnographic Technologist for a hospital-based sleep laboratory in Michigan. Kenan currently lives in Iceland and is a member of the Reykjavik University’s Sleep Revolution initiative. Kenan holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology from Brock University in St. Catharines, Canada. He has been an integral part of the BRPT’s Exam Development Committee for a number of years.

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. The BRPT administers the RPSGT, CPSGT, and CCSH exams in the United States and internationally, as well as the Pediatric Sleep Certificate Program. Additionally, the BRPT 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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News

BRPT Announces Winners of the Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship

Arlington, VA – December 9, 2022 – Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announced the winners of its Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship for a promising student of polysomnography. Two individuals were selected out of nearly 30 applications. Firdausi Enyinna-Okezie from Plano, TX and Tara Krticka from Benton, AR are the recipients of this inaugural scholarship; each will receive a $3,000 tuition grant to an approved CAAHEP-accredited PSG program, a CAAHEP-accredited END program with a PSG add on, or a CoARC accredited program with a PSG add on.

“We’re excited to offer this scholarship to Firdausi and Tara, both of whom are working in a healthcare setting, are passionate about helping patients and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in sleep technology,” said BRPT Immediate Past-President, Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH. “This scholarship is very personal to all of us at the BRPT as Jomo was a treasured member of the Board of Directors for three years and we miss his contributions, enthusiasm and friendship.”

Added Jomo’s widow, Dali Maleta-Nkunika, “May this great opportunity help these students go the distance in furthering Jomo’s passion and legacy in the field of sleep medicine.”

The application window was opened from August 1, 2022 through September 30 2022. The BRPT’s Educational Grant Task Force reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicants.

About The Jomo Martin Nkunika Scholarship
The scholarship is named in honor of Jomo Martin Nkunika, MSHCA, BS, CCSH, RPSGT. Jomo, a former member of the BRPT Board of Directors, was a strong advocate of sleep education and was the program director and adjunct professor of the Sleep Medicine Technology program at Montgomery College in Maryland. In addition, Jomo was a clinical manager with MedBridge Health at the Frederick Memorial Hospital Advanced Center for Sleep Studies.

Jomo was an integral part of the BRPT Board of Directors from 2016 until 2019 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Sadly, Jomo lost his battle against ALS in July 2021.

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 nearly 25,000 RPSGTs worldwide. In May 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.

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. In addition, the BRPT 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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News

Test-Taking Tips When English Is Not Your First Language

The first and one of the most important steps to successfully preparing for one of the BRPT exams is to make a thorough exam preparation plan. This should include carefully reading the candidate handbook so you know what to expect, the study guide and the exam blueprint which details what you’ll be tested on, and other resources available at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev including a practice exam and list of references.

But what if English is not your first language? BRPT Board member Angelica Benitez Yusti, RPSGT, RST offers tips for how to get started:

Understand exactly what you’re signing up for. Preparing to take a credentialing examination is an important commitment and should not be taken lightly. Taking the CPSGT or RPSGT exam is similar to finding a job: do your research before signing up for the exam. Again, read the Candidate Handbook – it’s a terrific free resource that has all the information you need to get started, learn about the process, and complete the appropriate application. For example, there are different eligibility pathways to follow – which one is right for you: do you have clinical experience, are you a graduate of a PSG program, have you participated in a focused training program, etc.

Comprenda exactamente para qué se está inscribiendo. Prepararse para presentar un examen de acreditación es un compromiso importante y no debe tomarse a la ligera. Tomar el examen CPSGT o RPSGT es similar a encontrar un trabajo: investigue antes de inscribirse para el examen. Nuevamente, lea el Manual del candidato: es un excelente recurso gratuito que tiene toda la información que necesita para comenzar, aprender sobre el proceso y completar la solicitud correspondiente. Por ejemplo, hay diferentes caminos de elegibilidad a seguir, cuál es el adecuado para usted: ¿tiene experiencia clínica, se graduó de un programa de PSG, participó en un programa de capacitación enfocado, etc.

Be sure to fully understand the evaluation criteria. The exam blueprint is very detailed in that it gives you the domain areas that you’ll be tested on and the different tasks that fall under those domains. The exam blueprints also tell you how each domain and task are weighed and therefore how impactful they are to your overall score.

Aprende a fondo los criterios de la evaluación. La guía del examen (blueprint) es muy detallado ya que le brinda las áreas de dominio en las que se le evaluará y las diferentes tareas que se incluyen en esos dominios. La guía del examen también le indica cómo se evalúa cada dominio y tarea y, por lo tanto, qué impacto tienen en su puntaje general.

Take full advantage of the resources available. There are plenty of courses, textbooks, and programs available to help candidates prepare and it can be overwhelming to determine which materials or programs are best suited for your needs especially if English is not your first language. Consider working with a Spanish speaking tutor, and use flashcards in both languages. If you still have questions after reviewing all of the material on the BRPT website, send specific inquiries to info@brpt.org – we’re here to help!

Aprovecha los recursos oficiales. Hay muchos cursos, libros de texto y programas disponibles para ayudar a los candidatos a prepararse y puede ser abrumador determinar qué materiales o programas se adaptan mejor a sus necesidades, especialmente si el inglés no es su primer idioma. Considere trabajar con un tutor que hable español, use tarjetas didácticas en ambos idiomas y asegúrese de visitar www.globalsleepeducation.com, que ofrece exámenes simulados en inglés y español. Si aún tiene preguntas después de revisar todo el material en el sitio web de BRPT, envíe consultas específicas a info@brpt.org. ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

Consider working with a personal tutor. If possible, taking a course with the support of a tutor can be a very efficient use of time. A tutor will review the results of a practice test with you and determine which areas you need to focus on. Tutors also offer encouragement and moral support – don’t underestimate how motivating this can be!

Encuentra un tutor personal. Hay mucho que tener en cuenta a la hora de prepararse para el examen. Si puedes, tomar clases online con un tutor especializado te ahorrará mucho tiempo. Tu tutor corregirá tus exámenes de práctica y te ayudará a decidir en qué secciones centrarte. También te animará a aprobar y te ofrecerá ánimo y apoyo moral: no subestimes lo motivador que puede ser esto.

Memorize key sleep technology medical terms in English. Flashcards are super helpful for memorizing vocabulary terms and also something you can work on with a partner or tutor.

Memorizar palabras claves del vocabulario medico utilizado en tecnología del sueño en Ingles. Haz tarjetas nemotécnicas. Las tarjetas nemotécnicas son una de las mejores maneras de memorizar palabras del vocabulario. Escribe la palabra en un lado de una tarjeta y la definición en el otro lado. Así podrás autoevaluarte o hacer que alguien más te evalúe.

Finally, give yourself time to prepare – we recommend allowing roughly six months to prepare for the exam. Good Luck!

Finalmente, tómese un tiempo para prepararse – le recomendamos que se tome aproximadamente seis meses para prepararse para el examen. ¡Buena suerte!

News

BRPT Announces Its A-STEP/STAR Educational Grant Winners

Arlington, VA – August 31, 2022 – Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announces the winners of its inaugural A-STEP/STAR Educational Grant Program for individuals interested in pursuing a career in sleep technology and/or those who are currently working as sleep technicians who would like to become a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT). Four sleep technicians were selected out of more than 50 applications.

“We’re thrilled with the number of excellent applications we received from across the globe,” said BRPT Immediate Past-President, Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH. “It was an outstanding and varied group of applicants all of whom expressed compelling points and a strong desire to earn the RPSGT credential.”

The application window was open from July 1 through July 29, 2022. The BRPT’s Educational Grant Task Force reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicants.

Added Marquis, “It’s exciting to see there’s a strong group of new sleep technicians with a clear interest in our growing profession.”

BRPT congratulates the following 2022 recipients of the A-STEP/STAR Designated Educational Grant, all of whom will receive a grant of up to $800 towards an A-STEP or STAR designated educational program: Alicia Hoberg who hails from Australia; Chelsea Lapee who currently works as an MA in Missouri; Tatenda Tawodzera from Zimbabwe; and, Tamika Washington who began her career as a sleep lab financial coordinator, from Pennsylvania.

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 nearly 25,000 RPSGTs worldwide. In May 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.

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. In addition, the BRPT 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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News

The Application Window Is Open For the Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship

The Application Window Is Open For the Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship

The BRPT is now accepting applications for its Jomo Martin Nkunika Memorial Scholarship; the deadline for receipt of applications is the close of business Friday, September 30, 2022. For more details on the eligibility, application criteria and to complete the application form, please click here.

The BRPT is excited to offer a $3,000 tuition grant to a promising student of polysomnography. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or the equivalent. In addition, applicants must be currently enrolled in an approved CAAHEP-accredited PSG program, a CAAHEP-accredited END program with a PSG add on, or a CoARC accredited program with a PSG add on, OR must have proof of acceptance to an accredited program.

The BRPT Educational Grant Task Force will review the applications to determine the best qualified applicant after which the grant recipient will be notified.

About The Jomo Martin Nkunika Scholarship

The scholarship is named in honor of Jomo Martin Nkunika, MSHCA, BS, CCSH, RPSGT. Jomo, a former member of the BRPT Board of Directors, was a strong advocate of sleep education and was the program director and adjunct professor of the Sleep Medicine Technology program at Montgomery College in Maryland. In addition, Jomo was a clinical manager with MedBridge Health at the Frederick Memorial Hospital Advanced Center for Sleep Studies.

Jomo was an integral part of the BRPT Board of Directors from 2016 until 2019 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Sadly, Jomo lost his battle against ALS in July 2021.

News

Advanced Sleep Titration Exam Call For Volunteers

Online Specialty Exam For Advanced Sleep Titration – Call For Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists’ work. Because of the contributions of volunteers’ time, talent and expertise, BRPT is able to develop and administer the CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH programs according to best industry practices, which ensures stringent professional standards of clinical sleep health professionals. In addition, volunteers were critical to the creation of the Pediatric Sleep Certificate exam.

Based on previous surveys and feedback we’ve received from our credential holders, we agree there is an important need for a specialty exam for Advanced Sleep Titration.

BRPT is seeking assistance from active RPSGTs who are well-versed in state-of-the-art titration technology and techniques, to help us with two phases of this project: First, to assist in the development of a Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey and second, to help develop exam questions based on the JTA survey findings.

A JTA survey will examine the current state of sleep professionals who regularly perform advanced sleep titration modes and the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively fulfill the responsibilities required of a sleep professional with an advanced level of understanding in this important sub-specialty. Conducting a JTA is a significant and standard method used to gather current job information and to stay abreast of new developments and movement in the field.

Based on the findings of the JTA, volunteers will assist in the development of exam questions. In doing so, volunteers will play an important role in this process, sharing their advanced sleep titration knowledge and expertise by working with the BRPT Advanced Sleep Titration Committee to ensure exam content quality.

In addition, it’s a unique chance to gain a broader understanding of the exam development process and an excellent opportunity to make valuable business and personal connections by working alongside BRPT Board members and other colleagues in the field.

Expectations:
• Volunteers must be active RPSGT credential holders currently working in a sleep facility with approximately 75 percent of time spent conducting advanced sleep titration modes.
• Volunteers must have experience with ResMed and Respironics advanced titration modes, hypoglossal nerve stimulation and dental devices.
• Volunteers are expected to respond in a timely manner to requests from the BRPT Advanced Sleep Titration Exam Committee Chair and to review, edit and help develop survey and exam questions.
• Volunteers are expected to participate in conference calls when necessary.

A successful candidate who passes this online specialty exam for advanced sleep titration will earn a certificate in advanced sleep titration.

If you are interested in this opportunity to influence and support this new online specialty exam, please send an email, including your resume/CV, to the following:

Michael McLeland, Ph.D., RPSGT
BRPT Advanced Sleep Titration Exam Committee Chair EMAIL: volunteer@brpt.org

News

BRPT Announces 2022 CCSH Educational Grant Winners

BRPT Announces 2022 CCSH Educational Grant Winners

Arlington, VA – July 7, 2022 – Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announced the winners of its 2022 CCSH Educational Grant for RPSGTs who are interested in pursuing the CCSH credential through Pathway 3. Ten RPSGTs were selected out of more than 40 applications.

“We are delighted to see such interest in our expanding grants program,” said Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH, BRPT’s Immediate Past-President. “All of the applications were very strong and showed a strong commitment to the profession, desire to improve patient outcomes and advocate for good sleep.”

The application window was open from April 13, 2022 through May 13, 2022. The BRPT’s Educational Task Force reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicants.

BRPT congratulates the following 2022 recipients of the CCSH Educational Grant:
Benjamin Benedetti, Elizabeth Fischer, Amy Mao, Brandon Miller, Stacy Neu, Rebecca Nichols, Tarsha Saxon, Johnathan Simpson, Lena Shelby, and Kornelia Deneau Turpin.

Each CCSH Educational Grant covers the registration cost for an approved in-person conference or the cost to complete online modules for any approved CCSH educational program, such as the AAST CCSH Designated STAR Education Program, the AASM A-STEP CCSH Education Program, the Academy of Sleep and Wellness Program and the Collin College Continuing Education Health Sciences 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 nearly 25,000 RPSGTs worldwide. In May 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.

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. In addition, the BRPT 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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News

Call for Applications for the BRPT’s A-STEP/STAR Designated Educational Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
For the BRPT’s A-STEP/STAR Designated Educational Program

The BRPT is excited to introduce a new scholarship program intended to provide educational assistance to an individual who’s interested in pursuing a career in sleep technology or who’s currently working as a sleep technician and would like to become a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT). The winner will receive a grant of up to $800 towards an A-STEP or STAR designated educational program.

The BRPT is currently accepting applications for its A-STEP/STAR Educational Grant; the deadline for receipt of applications is the close of business Friday, July 29, 2022.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or the equivalent. In addition, applicants must hold a current BLS/CPR certification.

For more details on the eligibility, application criteria and to complete the application form, please CLICK HERE.

If you are already a registered RPSGT/CCSH, please pass this along to your non-credentialed colleagues!

News

‘s A-STEP/STAR Designated Educational Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
For the BRPT’s A-STEP/STAR Designated Educational Program

The BRPT is excited to introduce a new scholarship program intended to provide educational assistance to an individual who’s interested in pursuing a career in sleep technology or who’s currently working as a sleep technician and would like to become a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT). The winner will receive a grant of up to $800 towards an A-STEP or STAR designated educational program.

The BRPT is currently accepting applications for its A-STEP/STAR Educational Grant; the deadline for receipt of applications is the close of business Friday, July 29, 2022.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or the equivalent. In addition, applicants must hold a current BLS/CPR certification.

For more details on the eligibility, application criteria and to complete the application form, please CLICK HERE.

If you are already a registered RPSGT/CCSH, please pass this along to your non-credentialed colleagues!