A clinical sleep health educator can help bridge the gaps between patients and providers, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and better coordination among the health care team. Learn more about the importance of the Certification in Clinical Sleep Health credential in this 29 minute podcast by BRPT’s President-Elect, Andrea Ramberg, RPSGT, CCSH:
How Patient Navigators Can Improve Sleep Health
BRPT Announces 2021 CCSH Educational Grant Winners
20 RPSGTs Selected from more than 80 Applications
Arlington, VA – September 13, 2021 – Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists announced the winners of its 2021 Educational Grant for RPSGTs who are interested in pursuing the CCSH credential through Pathway 3. Twenty RPSGTs were selected out of more than 80 applications.
Said BRPT President, Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH, “We felt it was important to offer a series of CCSH Educational Grants to provide assistance to RPSGTs who are interested in pursuing the credential yet are unable to apply through CCSH Pathways 1 or 2 and/or are unable to financially pursue the CCSH designated education programs approved for Pathway 3 of the credential.”
Each of the winners received a CCSH Educational Grant that 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’s CCSH Designated STAR Education Program.
The application window was open from April 14, 2021 through May 14, 2021. The BRPT’s Educational Task Force reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicants. The grant recipients were notified after June 15.
“We were thrilled with the number of excellent applications we received,” added Marquis.
“Each of these winners expressed clear and compelling points for why they want to earn the CCSH credential. They demonstrated a strong commitment to the profession, desire to improve patient outcomes and advocate for good sleep.”
BRPT congratulates the following 2021 recipients of the CCSH Educational Grant:
Muhammad Sagheer Ahmad, Kamilla Akseer, Brandi Bearce, Kristi Bugajski, Ashley Elders, Amy Frerichs, Ashleigh Houseright, Kim Jesch, Rose Koerber, Rebecca LaVigne, Gwen Mccranie, Nicole Mills, Doris Puyarena, Kimberly Sanders, Maritza Santana, Tan Lai Soon, Miriam Takawira, Phuong Tang, Thanh Tang, and Lasarian Toni Walton.
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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Congratulations to Cherise Lee, BRPT’s Credentialing Coordinator, on earning the Institute For Credentialing Excellence (ICE) Credentialing Specialist Certification.
As certification is a profession that requires its own unique competencies, this assessment-based Certificate Program for the Credentialing Specialist identifies the tasks required of a certification professional and the skills and knowledge needed to practice.
According to Cherise, “I wanted to complete the credentialing specialist certification for career development and advancement. The course not only reinforced the fundamentals of certification, but also helped me acquire new skills. I’m excited to put these skills to use and to ultimately better serve our credential holders and the BRPT.”
The course includes a wide range of topics including, accreditation standards, program operational management, psychometrics, exam development, legal issues and more.
In her role as the BRPT’s Credentialing Coordinator, Cherise wears many hats. From receiving and processing exam applications for the RPSGT, CCSH and CPSGT exams, to serving as the primary credential holder customer service representative, to reviewing and processing ADA-special accommodations requests for test takers, Cherise is well-versed in all aspects of our program.
About The Institute For Credentialing Excellence
ICE is a professional membership association that provides education, networking, and other resources for organizations and individuals who work in and serve the credentialing industry. ICE is a leading developer of standards for both certification and certificate programs and it is both a provider of, and a clearing house for, information on trends in certification, test development and delivery, assessment-based certificate programs, and other information relevant to the credentialing community.
We’re so excited to meet in-person for the CCSH Innovation and Creative Thinking: Expanding The Influence conference, September 15 – 16, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN!
Register today for the first of its kind conference that will bridge the gap between the traditional and innovative sleep specialist role focusing on the concrete ways in which you can apply the CCSH credential. The BRPT is thrilled to co-sponsor this event with Integration Consultants, LLC and the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, that will earn participants six continuing education credits.
The conference will consist of workshops and discussion groups. The workshops will review patient-related topics that address difficult clinical situations, challenges and trends that impact clinicians; the discussion groups will feature presentations on specific topics which will include pro/con debates and discourse.
Join the discussion! To learn more about the agenda and to register online, go to: https://www.behavioralsleep.org/images/2021/pdf/2021-CCSH-Program-Registration.pdf
BRPT Mourns The Loss of Colleague and Friend Jomo Martin Nkunika
Jomo Martin Nkunika, MSHCA, BS, CCSH, RPSGT passed away on July 22, 2021. Jomo was the program director and adjunct professor of the Sleep Medicine Technology program at Montgomery College in Maryland, and was a clinical manager with MedBridge Health at the Frederick Memorial Hospital Advanced Center of Sleep Studies. Jomo served on 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.
“Jomo brought a tremendous amount of energy, passion and smarts to the BRPT,” said BRPT President, Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH. “He was talented in so many different ways; he served on the BRPT’s Finance and Education Committees, and his technical expertise was instrumental in guiding projects such as updating the online document repository and redesign of the BRPT website. The sleep community and the ALS community, have lost a great educator and tireless advocate.”
Jomo volunteered his graphics and multimedia skills with the Maryland Sleep Society and Washington D.C. Sleep Society. Prior to his career in healthcare, Jomo worked in mobile GSM telecommunications, computer/multimedia technologies and non-profit industries. On his Twitter account, he describes himself as a “husband, father to JJ & EJ. Loves God, people & life. ALS advocate (pALS) & healthcare activist. Trained in healthcare admin, sleep medicine & higher education.”
Jomo was an active member of Cedarbrook community church in Clarksburg Maryland, where he played piano on the worship team.
To learn more about Jomo and his fight against ALS, go to: http://www.jomosfight.com/
To read Jomo’s obituary, go to: https://www.staufferfuneralhome.com/obituary/Jomo-Nkunika
Spotlight On A BRPT Board Member: Angelica Benitez Yusti, RPSGT, RST
BRPT Editor: As a new BRPT Board member, what do you hope to gain from being a member of the Board?
Angelica Benitez Yusti: I want to help the BRPT expand its reach into the Spanish-speaking market and to diversify BRPT products and offerings. In doing so, I believe we will create more international awareness while allowing international students and candidates to take the exam in their “mother tongue.”
BRPT Editor: Tell us a little bit about the company you co-founded, globalsleepeducation.org.
Angelica Benitez Yusti: Globalsleepeducation.org was born out of the need to have bilingual education in the field of sleep technology. As an RPSGT and RST I feel I have an obligation to lead future sleep technologists to follow their dreams of becoming credentialed professionals and acquiring the standardized knowledge they need to be successful in this profession.
BRPT Editor: Your international experience and expertise in the education space is a huge asset to BRPT; where will you concentrate your efforts to further the sleep field both in and outside of the U.S.?
Angelica Benitez Yusti: My focus for the U.S is on special populations as there’s a void in targeting native Spanish speakers in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., my goal is to get the first accredited exam approved for non-native speakers of English and to help standardize sleep education beyond the U.S.
BRPT Editor: How did you enter the field of sleep medicine and what drew you to the profession?
Angelica Benitez Yusti: After finishing my studies in the UK, I came back to Colombia and entered the field of sleep medicine. From there I gained a lot of experience working with Resmed, Phillips and Apex. My biggest inspiration was Laree Fordyce, who fueled my passion for this work and pushed me to earn my RPSGT credential and to be part of the sleep world.
BRPT Editor: What advice do you have for sleep techs entering the field today?
Angelica Benitez Yusti: I strongly recommend that sleep techs prepare and educate themselves every day: study, take courses, never stop learning, ask as many questions as necessary, participate in webinars, and join the sleep technology associations. In my experience from an international perspective and being a native Spanish speaker, taking the STAR program courses, having individual meetings with my tutors, belonging to sleep associations where they frequently offer courses, seminars and workshops, were all very useful tools to prepare for the RPSGT exam. All of this made me more aware of the didactic of the exam and the domains to be evaluated. The BRPT offers reference materials that are especially useful and accessible to anyone entering the field, including the candidate handbooks for the CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH exams. These candidate handbooks tell you what you need to know to prepare for the exam as well as the necessary logistics you need to know to take the exam no matter where you live.
BRPT Editor: Tell us what you like to do in your free time? Angelica Benitez Yusti: I love cooking, going to the movies and spending quality time with my family.
Important Update Regarding CPR/BLS Certification
Effective immediately, the BRPT will accept CPR/BLS certifications earned online provided the online course follows the American Heart Association’s (AHA) most recent standards and guidelines (or its international equivalent).
We are pleased to accept this flexible alternative to attending live/skills courses which should help accommodate busy schedules as well as allow candidates and credential holders to obtain their certification safely from the comfort of their home.
CASE STUDY
How A Clinical Sleep Educator Used Her CCSH Credential To Catapult Pap Compliance Rates Beyond The National Average
About Cheryl Memmini, RRT, RPSGT, CCSH
Cheryl Memmini is a Clinical Sleep Educator at Northwestern Medicine Sleep Services – Algonquin, located in Algonquin, Illinois. Cheryl has been in healthcare for 35 years, first as a hospital based respiratory therapist, then as a hospital based sleep technologist; she is currently a Clinical Sleep Educator for a hospital based DME. Cheryl is married and has four adult children and many pets. She is passionate about educating people about good sleep health, sleep disorders and therapies.
CCSH credential in action:
At Northwestern Medicine Sleep Services-Algonqui, Memmini and her colleagues use the CCSH in a variety of ways, including:
Outcomes:
PAP compliance rates are 87 percent at Northwestern Medicine Sleep Services – Algonquin, which is substantially higher than the national average. As a result, Northwestern Medicine Sleep Services continues to conduct a number of in-lab studies (as well as many HSTs) because of the roles CCSH credentialed staff play in the different settings. Going from HST, to Clinical Sleep Educator, to set up, is an efficient process, which means patients start prescribed therapy sooner and potential problems are identified more quickly. Following this process, patients meet with the sleep physician so that treatment can be accelerated.
Why the CCSH credential is even more relevant as technology moves forward with the increased use of HST, AI and other advances:
These patients obtain and learn so much data from their wearable devices. CCSH credentialed staff help patients absorb these outputs and data and translate them into how it’s affecting them, which is key to effective treatment. Many terms are used in studies (AHI, RDI, REM, etc.) that patients don’t understand. Advances in technology and PAP machines give patients a significant amount of data; patients want to know what it means and how it affects them. This makes the role of the CCSH and educator, even more important and an integral piece of patient care.
In Her Own Words:
“The value of an educated, informed patient is not only good for the patient, it’s good for clinical outcomes and helps patients be successful with therapy while preventing more serious outcomes of the untreated/non-compliant OSA patient. Educating the patient is also respecting them; this partnership helps them make informed decisions about their health. It also makes every next step run more smoothly through the system for testing, treatment and follow up. These patients are informed and engaged, and more likely to follow through.” — Cheryl Memmini, RRT, RPSGT, CCSH
Multiple credentials lead to better care:
In addition to her CCSH credential, Memmini notes that with both an RPSGT and an RRT, each credential has given her a deeper understanding of the services she can provide. For example, she adds, “They complement each other. An RPSGT focuses more on what goes on in the sleep lab, in getting good studies and analyzing them. You’re seeing patients generally one to two times and for brief periods of time. You’re focused on that night, that study and having good outcomes from that study. The CCSH teaches you to think beyond that; in the long term, what will work for each patient? What will make them understand their disease and want to treat it? How do we make this a part of their everyday life? You understand what works for one patient may not motivate the next one.”
Tips for how CCSH credential holders can make the case to employers for recognizing the importance of this credential:
Help your organization and leaders value patient education. When a patient is well-educated in their disease process and treatment, and understands the “why” of every step of the process, they’re more engaged in their care and treatment and are more successful and compliant with therapy. Understanding why/how OSA causes HTN; how it contributes to insulin resistance and diabetes; why/how CPAP works and improves these conditions, is imperative to ensuring patients are engaged in their care and treatment and successful and compliant with their therapy.
To learn more about the CCSH credential, click here.
Dear Colleagues:
2020 brought bumps in the road and a myriad of changes to our world, which made for an interesting start to my term as President. During this time, the BRPT Board and Executive Office staff worked together to support our fellow technologists and credential holders. We’re proud of the way our colleagues in the field of sleep medicine have adapted to the challenges brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic and we look forward to continuing to support our credential holders and the field of sleep medicine as we all continue to navigate this changing environment.
We’re thrilled to have recently launched the Pediatric Sleep Certificate exam. This project has been years in the making and we are excited to bring it to fruition. We’re grateful to those who worked diligently on this project to make it a reality. This certificate exam is different from anything we have ever done. It was developed using similar principles as our other examinations to ensure that we truly assess the knowledge of Pediatric Sleep Technology, but with this exam, those who pass receive a Digital Badge – the first the BRPT has ever offered. We’re eager to offer our credential holders this new, dynamic visual representation of the certificate they’ve earned. A single click on the badge reveals a detailed description of the specific knowledge and skills required to earn it. You can learn about the exam and the Digital Badge at https://brpt.org/pediatric-sleep-certificate-exam/. In addition to obtaining the Digital Badge, successful applicants will also receive 10 continuing education credits.
This year, we’ll also be working with key stakeholders to help drive new technologists and educators to the field as we continue to demonstrate the critical need and vital role sleep technologists play now and in the future. In addition, we’ll be working with a cadre of sleep professionals to further advance the CCSH credential and to showcase the multiple roles and settings for which it is essential. This will be a top priority as we continue to grow and expand the career path of sleep technologists who are interested in other areas of sleep medicine.
Deepening Our Reach
Another top initiative underway is exploring additional updated and advanced avenues of reaching our credential holders and stakeholders. The Public Affairs and Marketing Committee has identified areas where we can update our current offerings to better serve our credential holders and public interests. Throughout 2021, we will be working to introduce new platforms to reach current and prospective colleagues in the field with information, updates, and more. Stay tuned for details coming later this year.
And lastly, the BRPT is looking at ways to expand its reach into the international market. There are many areas around the globe where sleep technology is underutilized and as the global leader in sleep technologist credentialing, we are committed to exploring new avenues to grow the profession outside of the United States.
As we start this new year, I want to express my admiration for those who are on the front lines working to help our patients during these trying times. The challenges of COVID-19 have turned not only our world upside down but all that we do, including our everyday jobs and tasks. As sleep technologists and educators, we’ve had many challenges and procedural changes that have not been easy. Our technologists have adjusted and adapted to new ways of doing their jobs and each and every one of you should be commended for that. We are profoundly proud to have you as CPSGT, RPSGT and CCSH credential holders!
Finally, I want to thank the Executive Office staff of the BRPT. They have adapted wonderfully to a new way of doing business for us. We had very minimal interruptions during this tumultuous year and we could not have done it without this great internal team. On behalf of our committed team of volunteer Board members and committee members, and colleagues in the field who have supported us all year – thank you – and here’s looking to a brighter year ahead!
Steve Marquis, MBA, RPSGT, CCSH
BRPT President
