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Author: Ashley Shelton
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A Snapshot of World Sleep 2022
In March, members of the BRPT Executive Committee had the privilege of attending World Sleep 2022 in Rome, Italy. More than 2,300 people gathered for the 16th World Sleep congress to attend, present, and connect with the best in sleep medicine and research. Sleep professionals from more than 60 countries traveled to Rome, marking an exuberant return to in-person meetings on the international sleep stage.
The International Landscape
While the BRPT, World Sleep and the European Sleep Research Society all offer sleep technologist examinations, education to become a sleep technologist varies widely throughout the European countries. Depending on the country, programs range from on-the-job training to a multi-day course followed by a final exam, to a four-year degree in EEG technology. In most countries, a credential is desirable but not mandatory. And, in some countries the technologist role is very broadly defined wherein a professional will perform multiple types of neurophysiological examinations – not solely sleep-related. We, and our international counterparts, agree the shortage of sleep technologists and sleep labs is a worldwide problem. Further, the path to entering the field of sleep technology is murky at best.
Technology Abounds; Patient Education Is Critical
There were many different forms of sleep-related technology showcased at the conference from an array of Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) devices, wearables and apps to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help technologists more precisely synthesize and decipher the data.
We firmly believe that now, more than ever, patient education is a critical component of success. Patients need help deciphering their sleep disorder, why it’s important to treat it, what treatment options are available and which is the right one for their particular diagnosis. It’s our job as seasoned sleep professionals, to help patients navigate the best treatment plan for them and to help them be successful.
Here in the United States, we’ve heard from many CCSH credentialed sleep professionals who play an important role in a variety of settings. For example, CCSH credentialed staff help guide the patient through the identification, diagnosis, and treatment care plan. As we see the advancements in technology and data from AI enabling a faster route to treatment, the CCSH ensures the patients understand and buy-in to their treatment plan. The role of the CCSH and educator is an integral component not only to the long-term success of patient outcomes, but is an important evolution of the role of sleep technologists.
World Sleep was a fantastic opportunity to speak and meet with sleep leaders across the globe. We left excited and energized to continue to pool our collective experiences and knowledge to further the important conversation of expanding and facilitating the role of the sleep tech and ensuring there are enough sleep labs around the world to accommodate the growing number of patients. And in doing so, together we will help those with sleep disorders live longer, healthier, lives.
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AASM A-STEP CCSH Education Program now available!
The AASM A-STEP CCSH Education Program is now available for CCSH exam candidates who meet the eligibility requirements under CCSH Pathway #3.
Pursuing The CPSGT Certification Is The Perfect Start For Those New To Sleep
The sleep profession is a vibrant and growing field with many new and exciting opportunities for sleep health professionals. If you’re new to sleep, earning the CPSGT certification is an excellent first step on this career path.
Since the first RPSGT credentialing exam administration in 1979, the BRPT has credentialed more than 20,000 RPSGTs worldwide. The RPSGT is the internationally-recognized leading credential for sleep technologists. The CPSGT exam is an entry level exam; earning the CPSGT certification is a terrific way to build a foundation and begin your career in sleep technology.
The CPSGT certificate program reflects a commitment to competency-based testing early in your career. The CPSGT certification is time-limited so certificate holders must take the next step and earn the RPSGT credential within three years or you’ll lose the CPSGT designation.
What You’ll Need To Know
General knowledge required includes medical terminology, safety, verbal and written communication skills, ethics, patient confidentiality, basic patient care and emergency procedures, basic math skills and basic calculations, basic knowledge of computers.
A successful candidate will have basic knowledge of the following: sleep apnea and diagnostic criteria, practice parameters for sleep apnea, adult and pediatric testing procedures for sleep apnea, scoring rules, EEG waveform morphology, sleep physiology, respiratory physiology, cardiac physiology, troubleshooting skills, intervention and treatment/CPAP therapy, recognition of need for bilevel therapy and supplemental oxygen.
The CPSGT exam is computer based and consists of 75 multiple choice questions; candidates have two hours to complete the test. The CPSGT exam is offered on-demand with immediate test results.
Know The Exam Blueprint
The CPSGT exam is comprised of three Domain areas:
• Domain 1: Sleep Study Preparation and Performance
• Domain 2: Sleep Physiology Recognition and Summary
• Domain 3: Therapeutic Treatment and Intervention
Click here to view the exam blueprint: https://brpt.org/cpsgt/exam-blueprint/cpsgt-blueprint-through-4-30-2018/
There are 3 different eligibility pathways for the CPSGT exam. Review the three options below and decide which one is best for you!
CPSGT Pathway 1: Clinical Experience. For candidates with a minimum of three months of clinical experience in polysomnography, and who have completed a STAR-designated Self-Study education program.
CPSGT Pathway 2: CAAHEP/CoARC Student. For students within 2 months of graduation from, or graduates of, a CAAHEP or CoARC-accredited polysomnography technology education program.
CPSGT Pathway 3: Focused Training. For candidates who have completed STAR-designated Focused education, or a combination of Self-Study and Focused 2 education.
Preparing For The CPSGT Exam
The BRPT is committed to helping you succeed in your career. We have assembled the materials listed below to assist you in preparing for your exam in terms of the types of questions you will see on your test, as well as the skills you’ll need to know to pass. Preparing for test day is the best way to ensure your success!
Studying for the CPSGT Exam
The CPSGT exam is intended to test the knowledge, skills and abilities to be expected of entry-level practitioners performing polysomnography and basic CPAP titration techniques.
While there is no stand-alone study guide for the CPSGT exam, be sure to review the CPSGT Candidate Handbook. It provides information which will be very helpful to you as you prepare for the CPSGT exam. Click here to review the CPSGT Candidate Handbook: https://brpt.org/cpsgt/cpsgt-handbook/
CPSGT Candidates are encouraged to utilize the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events, Rules Terminology and Technical Specifications as an additional reference in preparing for the CPSGT exam. Click here to review a set of references that will help you prepare for the CPSGT exam: https://brpt.org/cpsgt/exam-prep/references/
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Effective January 1 Andrea Ramberg Begins Role As President Of The BRPT Board of Directors, BRPT Welcomes Three New Board Members
Effective January 1 Andrea Ramberg Begins Role As President Of
The BRPT Board of Directors
BRPT Welcomes Three New Board Members
Arlington, VA – December 13, 2021 – Effective January 1, 2022, Andrea Ramberg, BA, RPSGT, CCSH will begin her two-year term as President of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). 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, Treasurer and most recently as President-Elect. Ramberg is the Customer Success Manager for EnsoData, helping to bring sleep into the future using Artificial Intelligence.
“I’m confident Andrea will swiftly and effectively move into the President’s role given her numerous leadership positions with the BRPT over the last four years,” said BRPT President Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH. “Prior to her involvement with the BRPT, Andrea has been working on behalf of the sleep community for more than a decade through her many contributions to the AAST and the World Sleep Society; we’re lucky to have such a driven and passionate leader,” added Marquis.
“I’m honored to serve as the Board’s next President,” said Andrea Ramberg, BA, RPSGT, CCSH. “I’m so excited for the platform to continue advocating for new, evolving roles for sleep technologists. We are at a time where more information than ever is at our fingertips. It is now up to us to decide what we can do with that data and find ways it can empower us to create a new future for sleep medicine. Let’s work with the advancements in technology to help facilitate change that ultimately empowers sleep professionals to focus on our number one priority – patients.”
In addition, the Board welcomes three new members, Katie Tran, MD, Michelle DiMaria, BS, RRT, RPSGT, and Su Jeong Linstrom, RPSGT, RST.
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 Biographies
Katie Tran, MD
Katie Tran is a board-certified sleep medicine physician practicing at UT Southwestern Sleep and Breathing Disorders Center. She is an assistant professor who helps with the sleep fellowship program, the sleep lab and sleep clinic operations. Dr. Tran has clinical interests in alternative therapies to obstructive sleep apnea and improving CPAP tolerance.
Michelle DiMaria, BS, RRT, RPSGT
Michelle DiMaria has a near 20-year career with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a Respiratory Therapist, Sleep Technologist, and Clinical Supervisor. She graduated from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Respiratory Care. After a decade of working directly with pediatric patients conducting sleep research, being involved in publications and working on career advancements, she currently holds a position as Clinical Supervisor for a 16 bed, 3 site lab for both inpatient and outpatient pediatric sleep studies. Michelle is focused on the importance of interprofessional collaboration; improving patient care matched with an effective multidisciplinary team. Serving as a board member for the NJ Sleep Society for several years, Michelle helped create new marketing strategies for the organization making it more targeted and accessible to sleep professionals.
Su Jeong Linstrom, RPSGT, RST
Su Jeong Linstrom is currently the Associate Clinical Manager of the Sleep Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Su has served in various roles in adult and pediatric sleep since 2008. She is passionate about pediatric sleep and has a special interest in Health Literacy and advocates for inclusive and equitable care for all. Su studied Biology as an undergraduate student at Colorado State University and earned a Project Management certification from Cornell University.
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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BRPT Congratulates Bernie Chalmers on Receiving the President’s Shining Star Award
At its recent Board meeting, BRPT President Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH awarded Bernie Chalmers, MA the 2021 BRPT President’s Shining Star Award for his dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Bernie serves as the Public Member on the BRPT Board of Directors.
Said Marquis, “I’m thrilled to recognize Bernie with the Shining Star Award. We’ve been so fortunate to have Bernie serving as our Public Member for the past seven years. His contributions have been many over the years including working closely with both the Finance Committee and the Nominating Committee. His expertise in business and human resources have been monumental in what we’ve been able to accomplish these past few years. People like Bernie don’t come along very often.”
The BRPT is led by an active, engaged volunteer Board of Directors comprised of experts in the field of polysomnography and includes at least one “public” member representing the interests of the consumer / patient community. The Board is international in scope and blends the expertise of technologists and physicians to establish and maintain credentialing guidelines for clinical sleep health professionals.
Bernie obtained an MA (cum laude) in psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. In addition to starting three boutique consultancies, he was part owner of the largest Human Resource consulting business in Southern Africa. He specialized in organization development with a focus on affirmative action and conflict management. He moved to Canada in 1991 and has worked as President or Managing Director in multinational companies based in the UK and Canada. Currently he is semi-retired and his management consulting company, BEREV Ltd., works with companies in the US and Canada. He served as President and remains an Honorary Fellow of what is now the Institute of People Management (South Africa). He also served on the Council of the South African Psychological Association.
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Spotlight on BRPT’s New Credentialing Assistant
Spotlight On BRPT’s New Credentialing Assistant
The BRPT is thrilled to welcome its new Credentialing Assistant, Sue Williams, to the Executive Office team. Sue brings a wealth of healthcare knowledge and passion to the BRPT. According to Sue, “I wanted to join the BRPT to help certify and support those who give so much back to the community.”
Sue holds a PHD in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona where she was also a faculty member teaching HIV Virology. She held a Naturopathic Physician license in Arizona and is currently licensed in Washington, DC.
During her time in Arizona, Sue ran her own practice, Healing for Humanity, where she served as a Health and Wellness Coach focusing on balanced body, mind and spirit. She incorporated nutrition, supplementation, botanicals, meditation, exercise and encouraged spiritual practices.
Passionate about education, Sue was the supervisor of the Student Clinic at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS in Phoenix, AZ. She was also on the faculty of the Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistance program where she taught classes on Anatomy and Physiology, Laboratory Techniques, Clinical Office Procedures, and other courses.
At the BRPT’s Executive Office, Sue helps process applications for the CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH exams as well assisting credential holders with the recertification process.
Sue enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
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‘s New Credentialing Assistant
Spotlight On BRPT’s New Credentialing Assistant
The BRPT is thrilled to welcome its new Credentialing Assistant, Sue Williams, to the Executive Office team. Sue brings a wealth of healthcare knowledge and passion to the BRPT. According to Sue, “I wanted to join the BRPT to help certify and support those who give so much back to the community.”
Sue holds a PHD in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona where she was also a faculty member teaching HIV Virology. She held a Naturopathic Physician license in Arizona and is currently licensed in Washington, DC.
During her time in Arizona, Sue ran her own practice, Healing for Humanity, where she served as a Health and Wellness Coach focusing on balanced body, mind and spirit. She incorporated nutrition, supplementation, botanicals, meditation, exercise and encouraged spiritual practices.
Passionate about education, Sue was the supervisor of the Student Clinic at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS in Phoenix, AZ. She was also on the faculty of the Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistance program where she taught classes on Anatomy and Physiology, Laboratory Techniques, Clinical Office Procedures, and other courses.
At the BRPT’s Executive Office, Sue helps process applications for the CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH exams as well assisting credential holders with the recertification process.
Sue enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her husband, four children, and two dogs.