The RPSGT credential is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) confirming it complies with NCCA’s stringent standards for a professional certification program. Accreditation validates the integrity of the RPSGT program and is a mark of quality. Every five years, the BRPT must apply to have the credential reaccredited; the BRPT is pleased to report the RPSGT credential recently received its accreditation for the next 5 years.
McLean, Virginia – January 17, 2017 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) named Jessica Schmidt, MA, RPSGT, President-Elect of the Board of Directors. Her two-year term as President will begin in January 2018. Schmidt has been a member of the BRPT Board since 2014 serving as Treasurer and chair of the Legislative Committee. Schmidt is currently a Senior Administrator at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, where she oversees pulmonary, critical care, sleep medicine, and cardiac procedures.
“Jessica has been an extremely effective member of the sleep community for more than a decade,” said BRPT President Daniel Lane, BS, RPSGT, CCSH. “She was director of the first CAAHEP-accredited Polysomnography program in the Mid-Atlantic, she continues to serve on the advisory board of two CoA-PSG programs, and is a founding member and Past-President of the Maryland Sleep Society.”
“I’m thrilled to serve as BRPT’s next President, following a long line of passionate and committed sleep professionals who’ve worked hard to elevate our profession,” said Jessica Schmidt, MA, RPSGT. “I’m particularly proud of my work around the CCSH credential – writing the CCSH Reimbursement Guide and co-editing the CCSH Study Guide were extremely rewarding. As all of our roles in the community evolve, I look forward to continuing to work hard and advocate on behalf of the sleep profession and the patients we serve.”
Current Board member, Deborah Kovacs-Sturdevant, RPSGT, RRT, received the BRPT President’s Shining Star Award in November for her dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Said BRPT President Daniel Lane, BS, RPSGT, CCSH, “Deb’s many contributions to the Board range from chairing our Professional Review Committee to staying on top of – and advising sleep techs on – thorny issues related to social media.”
The change in Board leadership takes effect this month, but an official installation will take place at a BRPT Board meeting in Dallas, TX on February 25, 2017.
Director
Amber Allen has been in the sleep field for eight years and currently serves as the Program Coordinator to the CAAHEP-accredited Polysomnographic Technology Program at Collin College in McKinney, TX. Amber was instrumental in the development of the program and building it from the ground up. Prior to joining Collin College, she worked as an RPSGT for the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Amber has spoken at numerous sleep and respiratory care conferences at both the national and state level, including the BRPT Symposium, and has previously volunteered for the BRPT Education Task Force Committee. She is passionate about educating students and the public about the importance of sleep. Prior to her career in sleep, Amber was a child prodigy who started college at 14. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree at 19, she began her post-collegiate career in the music industry in Nashville, where she worked for eight years, including appearances on American Idol and as an extra in film and TV projects with some of the biggest names in music.
Director
Rachel Mouton has been working in the sleep field for more than 15 years. She entered the field of sleep medicine through nursing and is currently the clinical director of Sleep Solutions of New Iberia in Louisiana, a 6-bed sleep center. For the past eight years, Rachel has worked with the BRPT’s Exam Development Committee on exam development as well as assisting with the Job Task Analysis and standard setting. Rachel is a strong promoter of continuing education within the sleep community and has an active community sleep education program through which she leads the training of sleep technologists and works with physicians entering the field. Rachel also serves on the board of directors of the Louisiana Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition, she has published articles in A2Zzz magazine.
Board members Steve Marquis, RPSGT, CCSH, UF Health, Jacksonville, FL serves as Treasurer and Donna Arand, PhD, of the Sleep Disorders Center at Kettering Hospital in Dayton, OH serves as Secretary. Other continuing Board members of the BRPT include: Bernie Chalmers, MA, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, CCSH, DABSM, Somnologist, Sleep Disorders Lab, Kingston General Hospital and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Vikas, Jain, MD, CCSH, Oklahoma City, OK; Deb Kovacs-Sturdevant, RPSGT, RRT, Anthem, Inc., Cincinnati, OH; Wendy Krout, RPSGT, CareFusion, Wakefield, RI; Jomo M. Nkunika, BSAST, RPSGT, CCSH, Sleep Services of America, a Johns Hopkins Health System company, Glen Burnie, MD.
Biographies of all BRPT Board members can be found at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
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.
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 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.
Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 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.
McLean, VA – February 4, 2016 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) today announced that Yanyun Lin is the winner of the sixth Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship. Ms. Lin is a student enrolled in the respiratory care program, with the polysomnography specialty option, in the School of Health Technology and Management at Stony Brook University, in Stony Brook, NY.
“Each applicant had a unique background, journey and aspirations which drove them to pursue an education – and ultimately a career – in sleep technology,” said BRPT Scholarship Committee Chair Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, DABSM, Somnologist, CCSH. “Yanyun’s academic achievements, strong sense of community and professional integrity are impressive and
extraordinary.”
Yanyun’s interest in sleep started with a desire to better understand her father’s frequent drowsy driving challenges. She later found herself discussing the subject more and more in college with a roommate equally intrigued with REM sleep patterns and “sleep talking.” Her interest grew and she decided to dig deeper in the field through the PSG specialty option offered through the respiratory care program at Stony Brook. In addition, Yanyun is an active volunteer holding positions at the Stony Brook Hospital, the Childcare Center and most recently in Stony Brook’s Leadership Office as a student consultant. Yanyun has also worked as a cashier at China Garden restaurant for the past five years.
Said Yanyun Lin, “I’ve always been interested in sleep patterns and sleep issues as it’s both a specific and broad subject which interconnects with psychosocial, electrophysiological and pharmacological aspects of science. Winning this scholarship will greatly reduce my financial pressures allowing me to focus more on school work and furthering my education.”
Yanyun is expected to graduate in June 2016 after which she plans to take the RPSGT examination. She holds a student membership with the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST).
The Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship Program, named in honor of an early and highly regarded leader in the field of sleep technology, awards a $2,500 tuition grant to a promising student of polysomnography. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in or accepted by a CAAHEP-accredited program in PSG or a CoARC-accredited program with a PSG add-on.
Andrea Patterson, RPSGT, R. EEG T., managed the Hennepin County Sleep Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost 30 years and was a leader in early efforts to develop a standardized competency-based test for sleep technologists. Those efforts were instrumental in the development of the RPSGT credentialing program. She published extensively in scientific journals and served on the BRPT Exam Development Committee for over 20 years, until her death in 2007.
The BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. For more information, visit brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
McLean, Virginia – January 19, 2016 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) named Daniel D. Lane, RPSGT, CCSH, President of the Board of Directors. His two-year term as President begins this month. Lane has been a member of the BRPT Board since 2011 serving as Treasurer and working closely with the Exam Development Committee. Lane currently works as a Clinical Sleep Health Educator for Sleep Center Orange County in Irvine, CA.
“Daniel has been an integral member of the Board for a number of years – serving as BRPT’s Treasurer; playing an important role on the Exam Development Committee; spearheading our STAR program; working tirelessly each year on the annual Symposium, and so much more,” said BRPT Past-President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT. “Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and energy and I look forward to continued collaboration with him in my role as Past-President.”
“I’m excited and energized to step into the role as President of the BRPT as I’m very passionate about sleep technology and patient-centered care,” said Daniel D. Lane, RPSGT, CCSH. “It’s incredibly inspiring to work alongside this team of motivated Directors, each of whom bring a different perspective and set of expertise. In 2016, I’d like to enhance and grow the BRPT’s role within the sleep community through a cohesive and collaborative approach that exemplifies the professionalism of the sleep technology and clinical sleep health fields.”
Current Board member, Jessica Schmidt, MA, RPSGT, received the BRPT President’s Shining Star Award in November for her dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Said BRPT Past-President Theresa Krupski RPSGT, RRT, “Jessica joined the Board and truly hit the ground running. She served as chair of the Government Relations/Legislative Committee and led the effort to create the Sleep Educator Reimbursement Guide. And, in 2016, Jessica is serving as BRPT Treasurer.”
The change in Board leadership takes effect this month, but an official installation will take place at a BRPT Board meeting in Washington, DC on March 19, 2016.
Director
Jomo M. Nkunika is a Sleep Medicine Technologist at Sleep Services of America, a Johns Hopkins Health System company. He currently serves as a Program Coordinator and part-time Adjunct Faculty of the CAAHEP-accredited Polysomnographic Technology program at Montgomery College in Maryland, where he also serves on the program’s CoA PSG advisory committee. Previously, Jomo held various per diem and contract roles at different sleep centers in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Jomo holds the Certification in Clinical Sleep Health, the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist and the Registered Sleep Technologist credentials. He has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Applied Sciences and Technology, majoring in Health Services Technology. In addition, he holds Associate Degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology, Polysomnography, and General Studies respectively. He also holds a Certificate in Sleep Medicine Technology. Currently, Jomo is pursuing a Master’s Degree of Science in Healthcare Administration through the University of Maryland University College. Jomo has previously 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.
Theresa Krupski, BS, RRT, RPSGT, St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO serves as Past-President and BRPT Board member Donna Arand, PhD, of the Sleep Disorders Center at Kettering Hospital in Dayton, OH serves as Secretary. Other continuing Board members of the BRPT include: Bernie Chalmers, MA, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, CCSH, DABSM, Somnologist, Sleep Disorders Lab, Kingston General Hospital and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Vikas, Jain, MD, CCSH, Oklahoma City, OK; Deb Kovacs-Sturdevant, RPSGT, RRT, Mercy Health Anderson Hospital, Cincinnati, OH; Wendy Krout, RPSGT, CareFusion, Wakefield, RI; Steve Marquis, RPSGT, CCSH, UF Health, Jacksonville, FL; Daniel Mobley, RPSGT, CCSH, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA; Jessica Schmidt, RPSGT, RST, (Treasurer) Sleep Disorders Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC. Biographies of all BRPT Board members can be found at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
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.
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 2012, BRPT launched its Clinical Sleep Educator (CSE) Program, offering an assessment-based certificate to qualifying individuals. 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.
Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 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.
McLean, VA – May 15, 2015 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is now accepting applications for the sixth annual Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program awards a $2,500 tuition grant each year to a promising student of polysomnography who demonstrates a strong commitment to sleep medicine.
Said BRPT President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT, “The Scholarship program continues to grow and last year we were thrilled with a record number of applications. With many new career opportunities in the field of sleep medicine, it’s exciting to meet members of the next generation as they begin their journey.”
Added Krupski, “I’m also looking forward to working closely with the Scholarship Program’s new Chair, Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, DABSM, Somnologist, CCSH as we move through the 2015 award cycle.”
Andrea Patterson, RPSGT, R. EEG T., managed the Hennepin County Sleep Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost 30 years and was a leader in early efforts to develop a standardized competency-based test for sleep technologists. Those efforts were instrumental in the development of the RPSGT credentialing program. She published extensively in scientific journals and served on the BRPT Exam Development Committee for over 20 years, until her death in 2007.
Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in or accepted by a CAAHEP-accredited program in PSG or a CoARC-accredited program with a PSG add-on. The scholarship application, a full description of eligibility requirements and other program details are available at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev. Applications must be completed and returned to the BRPT no later than close of business November 30. The Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipient and the winner will be announced in February 2016.
BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. For more information, visit brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
McLean, VA – February 12, 2015 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) today announced that Uzma Rashid is the winner of the fifth Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship. Rashid is a student enrolled in the Polysomnographic Technology program at Collin College in McKinney, Texas.
“It’s a privilege to recognize Uzma with this scholarship,” said BRPT President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT. “Sleep apnea claimed the lives of two of her dearest family members. As a result, she has a very deep and personal connection to the field, and an unwavering work ethic and desire to help others suffering from sleep disorders.”
Said Uzma Rashid, “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this Scholarship and to be acknowledged by such a prestigious organization. This scholarship has not only lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on my studies, but is also an unforgettable experience that has further inspired me to advance my personal and academic pursuits with an even deeper passion for helping others.”
Prior to enrolling in the PSG program at Collin College, Rashid was a substitute teacher where she enjoyed creating a positive learning environment for her students.
Rashid is expected to graduate in May 2016 after which she plans to take the RPSGT examination. She is a member of the Sleep Tech Club – a student organization that’s part of the PSG program at Collin College – where she is actively involved in fundraising and community service efforts.
Added Rashid, “I’m certain a career in polysomnography will not only be riveting but also rewarding. It will be so gratifying to help suffering people overcome their sleep disorders, and therefore improving the quality of their lives.”
The Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship Program, named in honor of an early and highly regarded leader in the field of sleep technology, awards a $2,500 tuition grant each year to a
promising student of polysomnography. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in or accepted by a CAAHEP-accredited program in PSG or a CoARC-accredited program with a PSG add-on.
Andrea Patterson, RPSGT, R. EEG T., managed the Hennepin County Sleep Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost 30 years and was a leader in early efforts to develop a standardized competency-based test for sleep technologists. Those efforts were instrumental in the development of the RPSGT credentialing program. She published extensively in scientific journals and served on the BRPT Exam Development Committee for over 20 years, until her death in 2007.
The BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. For more information, visit brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
McLean, Virginia – January 12, 2015 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) named Daniel D. Lane, RPSGT, CCSH, President-Elect of the Board of Directors. His two-year term as President will begin in January 2016. Lane has been a member of the BRPT Board since 2011 serving as Treasurer, the coordinator of the STAR Program and he is also an active member of the BRPT Exam Development Committee. Lane is currently the president of Arkona Sleep Management in Long Beach, California.
“By electing Daniel to the position of President-Elect, the Board expressed its confidence and support for Daniel and I’m delighted with the outcome,” said BRPT President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT. “He has been involved in almost every aspect of the organization – from Treasurer, to a key player on the exam development team, to his extensive work on our education programs. Daniel is well-positioned to lead the organization in 2016.”
“I’m very excited and honored to serve as BRPT’s next President,” said Daniel D. Lane, RPSGT, CCSH. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount from Theresa and the other Board members. It’s a privilege to work with this organization and its committed team of volunteers to develop new credentials for the field, expand educational offerings and resources, and to partner with other industry leaders to make the sleep health profession the best it can be.”
Current Board member Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, CCSH, DABSM, Somnologist, received the BRPT President’s Shining Star Award in November 2014 for her dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Said Krupski, “In addition to keeping Board members up to date on international issues affecting our field, Helen worked tirelessly on a number of projects including enhancing exam prep resources and revamping our Board orientation manual, which facilitates the onboarding process for new Board members.”
The change in Board leadership takes effect this month, but an official installation will take place at a BRPT Board meeting in McLean, VA on March 21, 2015.
Bernie Chalmers 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.
Vikas Jain is a sleep medicine physician and medical director of two sleep laboratories in Oklahoma City, OK. He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for Stanford University’s Sleep Medicine program as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He is Board Certified in sleep medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In addition to his passion for sleep medicine, Dr. Jain has a clinical interest in health informatics and currently serves on the AASM EHR Integration Task Force. He has authored various articles and chapters and has been a speaker at several state sleep societies. He is an active member of the BRPT Exam Development Committee and CCSH Task Force.
Wendy Krout has been in the sleep diagnostic field for 19 years and has been registered since 1997. She also has an Associates Degree in respiratory therapy. Wendy is currently the Mid West / East Coast Diagnostic Senior Sales Consultant for CareFusion. Her past experience and background in the sleep diagnostic field includes training and consulting physicians and technologists, managing the sleep center for Ephrata Community Hospital in Lancaster, PA, Lead Technologist for Tenet Healthcare in El Paso, TX and Night Supervisor for Scottsdale Healthcare in Scottsdale, AZ. Most recently she received the 2014 Clinical Specialist of the Year award from her current employer.
BRPT Board member Donna Arand, PhD, of the Sleep Disorders Center at Kettering Hospital in Dayton, OH serves as Secretary. Other continuing Board members of the BRPT include: Charles Atwood, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Helen Driver, PhD, RPSGT, CCSH, DABSM, Somnologist, Sleep Disorders Lab, Kingston General Hospital and Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Deb Kovacs-Sturdevant, RPSGT, RRT, Mercy Health Anderson Hospital, Cincinnati, OH; Daniel Mobley, RPSGT, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA; Jessica Schmidt, RPSGT, RST, Sleep Disorders Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC. Biographies of all BRPT Board members can be found at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
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.
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 2012, BRPT launched its Clinical Sleep Educator (CSE) Program, offering an assessment-based certificate to qualifying individuals. 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.
Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 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.
McLean, VA – May 15, 2014 – The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is now accepting applications for the fifth annual Andrea Patterson Memorial Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program, named in honor of an early and highly regarded leader in the field of sleep technology, awards a $2,500 tuition grant each year to a promising student of polysomnography.
Said BRPT President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT, “The Scholarship program is a highlight each year as I very much enjoy learning more about the next generation of sleep technologists and what led them into the field. The applicant pool is comprised of motivated professionals on a very clear career path.”
Andrea Patterson, RPSGT, R. EEG T., managed the Hennepin County Sleep Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost 30 years and was a leader in early efforts to develop a standardized competency-based test for sleep technologists. Those efforts were instrumental in the development of the RPSGT credentialing program. She published extensively in scientific journals and served on the BRPT Exam Development Committee for over 20 years, until her death in 2007.
Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in or accepted by a CAAHEP-accredited program in PSG, a CoARC-accredited program with a PSG add-on or an accredited END program with a PSG add-on. The scholarship application, a full description of eligibility requirements and other program details are available at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev. Applications must be completed and returned to the BRPT no later than close of business November 30. The Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipient and the winner will be announced in February 2015.
BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. For more information, visit brpt.taupecatstudios.dev.
Applications Will Be Accepted April 1-30, Exam Must Be Taken May 1-29
McLean, VA – March 19, 2014 –The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announced the initial testing window for the Certification In Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) examination, which will take place May1 through May 29. Applications will be available on April 1 at brpt.taupecatstudios.dev; the application window for the initial May exam will close at 5:00 pm EDT on April 30, 2014. Examinations must be taken May 1 – 29, 2014.
Following the initial testing window, the exam will not be available again until August 2014 to allow the BRPT and its testing partner Pearson VUE, to conduct the standard setting. The standard setting is the methodology used to determine the cut score – or passing score – that corresponds to a qualified CCSH specialist. Exam results for this first group of test takers will not be available until completion of the standard setting and psychometric evaluation by BRPT and Pearson VUE. Candidates taking the examination during the initial exam window in May should expect up to a 4-month delay before receiving exam results.
“We are thrilled to offer this first administration of the CCSH exam,” said BRPT President Theresa Krupski, RPSGT, RRT. “This was an incredible effort led by the Exam Development Committee, our team of subject matter experts, psychometricians and BRPT board members, all of whom worked tirelessly to bring this exam to fruition. The standard setting, a critical component of the test development process, is the final step in offering an exam according to best credentialing practices.”
The standard setting process is facilitated by experts from Pearson VUE and is comprised of SMEs who understand the content standards and the measure of difficulty of test questions. SMEs are representative of the profession in North America and include individuals whose careers and professional qualifications are diverse, are skilled in the area of clinical sleep health, and have knowledge about the professional activities of CCSH specialists.
Said BRPT Immediate Past President Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R. EEG/EP T., “We are delighted to see such a tremendous amount of interest in the CCSH exam and credential, which will further establish this new area of expertise.”
Altman added, “It’s important to remember that this is an advanced-level examination that encompasses a broad area of knowledge and is designed for individuals with experience in healthcare, patient education and management. As such, candidates should prepare accordingly.” The CCSH Candidate Handbook is an important resource and will be available on the BRPT website by April 1.
The BRPT will conduct a drawing at the end of each week in May for this initial testing window. All applicants who sit for the exam that week will be eligible to win $1,000. “This is an exciting time for our profession,” added Krupski. “This drawing is a fun way to say thank you to this inaugural group of test takers who won’t receive exam results immediately after testing, but are eager to expand their scope of work and level of expertise in this evolving healthcare environment.”
Pathways 1 and 2
CCSH Exam Fee: $450.00 (U.S.)
Temporary CSE Pathway available through June 30, 2016
CCSH Exam Fee: $300.00 (U.S.)
Candidates are advised this is an advanced-level exam. It was developed for experienced healthcare practitioners in the field of sleep medicine. To prepare for the CCSH exam, candidates should consider using a sampling of text books, clinical guidelines, practice parameters, and key articles relating to the major exam domains. In general, educational materials should focus on evaluation and management of sleep disorders; pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation; patient education and communication; sleep health and hygiene; normal sleep over the lifespan; and public health issues relating to sleep. Candidates should review the exam blueprint for guidance on knowledge areas and specific topics covered on the exam. They should be prepared to apply their knowledge to clinical situations to demonstrate critical thinking skills. To review a list of primary references, please click here.
To develop the CCSH examination, a diverse group of survey respondents were used to determine the tasks required for competent job performance for the Clinical Sleep Health specialist. The initial job task analysis (JTA) was conducted in the summer of 2013. The results of the 2013 JTA were used to develop the exam and are reflected in the CCSH Exam Blueprint.
The earlier an application is submitted in April the better the chance of obtaining the preferred exam date, time and location for testing during the initial exam window in May. Scheduling of testing appointments is done directly with Pearson VUE and is on a first-come, first-served basis. All testing must be completed by May 29th, when the initial exam window closes. The exam will remain closed until a new exam window opens a few months later after which point the CCSH examination will be offered on demand with immediate test results.
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 2012, BRPT launched its Clinical Sleep Educator (CSE) Program, offering an assessment-based certificate to qualifying individuals. At the end of 2013, BRPT announced the development of the Certification In Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) exam, an advanced credentialing examination for healthcare providers who work directly with sleep medicine patients, families and practitioners to coordinate and manage patient care, improve outcomes, educate patients and the community, and advocate for the importance of good sleep. The Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) exam will be offered for the first time in May 2014.
Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 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.
