Investing In Our Programs

We recently held our final Board meeting of 2010 and while I’ll save an “end of year highlights” for another blog entry, I was struck by the breadth and depth of the projects completed in 2010 – the launch of the CPSGT exam and on demand testing for both exams, a redesigned website, and the development of a recertification platform – just to name a few. And as our all volunteer Board of Directors looked ahead with enthusiasm to what we want to accomplish in 2011, I thought of the question we see from time to time in emails and on message boards: “Where does the money go from the BRPT exams and, now recertification fees?” So I thought I’d take a moment here to answer that question.

As most of you know, the BRPT is a not-for-profit credentialing body and the RPSGT exam is accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Revenues generated through exam fees are invested in the continuing development and effective administration of the exams (including item development, standard setting, exam form review) according to best practices in credentialing. The BRPT exam and recertification fees are competitively priced in the allied heath field.

Our Board members and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) volunteer thousands of hours of time each year to the continued refinement of our credentialing programs and to better serving our credential holders. But we do require some financial support to fund services to meet credential holder and test taker needs and support the growing interest in this field.

This year, we developed a new website adding new features in the RPSGT message board and the comprehensive online management tool to facilitate the tracking of CECs and the recertification process. With on demand testing, test takers can now schedule an exam on a date of their choosing with immediate results delivery upon completing the exam. We routinely update our candidate handbooks and information series pieces to ensure accuracy, providing the most up to date information. BRPT officers and board members support state and regional sleep society meetings by providing speakers and participating as an exhibitor to interact with techs and provide exam information.

I don’t mind being asked the question of how the fees are spent – it’s a reasonable query. I’m energized by the passion and dedication I continue to see in our rapidly growing profession and I’m proud of our offerings and the support we provide current and potential sleep technologists to help them achieve their goals and excel in this exciting field.

Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.

BRPT President

Fun, Informative and Forward-Looking

A couple of weekends ago in Denver, we held our 4th annual BRPT Symposium – this one focusing on leadership. I especially enjoy this particular conference as it’s only open to RPSGTs and I get the chance to have conversations with newly registered techs as well as those who have been in the sleep field for many years. For some, it was the first sleep conference ever attended. It’s always a learning experience.

Many questions revolved around the recertification process and how that will work. While there is a Recertification Handbook on our website and the portal is also open for CEC entry, there will still be some circumstances not previously considered that will need to be addressed through the Executive Office. These will be resolved well in advance of any tech recertification due dates. Take a moment to become familiar with the CEC tracking and entry portal – it’s efficient and easy to use.

Many technologists seemed to appreciate the opportunity to learn more about how the BRPT exams are constructed and the processes involved. They were able to follow the idea of a question all of the way through to its appearance on an exam. Examples of this will be incorporated into our website a little later.

Other discussion and questions around state legislative activities and sleep study reimbursement were shared throughout the weekend. Many questions loom out there about health care reform and how Sleep will be affected – and a few years later, we still wonder about home sleep study integration and reimbursements. The focus of the conference was on how to meet these challenges head on and work toward new leadership skills necessary for the future. Based on the attendee comments and evaluations, the conference was a success!

After days spent in the “classroom,” we were rewarded with fun social activities. On Friday evening, The Jim Hyatt Band provided music and entertainment as guests showed up in Wild West garb – check out the BRPT Insider, coming out soon, for more information and photos! And, check the website soon for next year's 5th annual Symposium date and location.

Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President

Welcome To The Wild West

We’re less than a week away from the 4th Annual BRPT Symposium and the Symposium Committee has been hard at work preparing for an exceptional conference this year. I encourage RPSGTs who’ve not already signed up to do so as we’ve got an exciting line up of sessions focusing on leadership and innovation, providing excellent learning and networking opportunities. You’ll also have the chance to learn more about the development of the BRPT exams and how you can become more involved with the organization.

I’m a huge fan of our keynote speaker, Dr. Lee-Chiong, Chief, Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Lee-Chiong specializes in circadian sleep disorders, insomnia, parasomnias, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea and sleep-related movement disorders. He’ll look at The Future of Sleep Medicine: Leadership and Mentoring, opening a program that will offer you a chance to examine the challenges of managing – and leading – in a dynamic, evolving field.

Our registrant list is impressive – comprised of RPSGTs many of whom are also accomplished Neurodiagnostic and Respiratory professionals, along with leading vendors in sleep technology. And, with 13 AAST CECs and 13 AARC CRCEs available, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a year’s worth of credits from just one meeting!

If you’ve been to one of the BRPT Symposiums before, you know it’s not all sessions and workshops. You can expect a great time with friends and professional colleagues. This year we’ll begin with an opening reception with our exhibitors on Thursday evening and continue through an all-Symposium “Welcome to the Wild West!” reception on Friday evening. Friday’s event – western costumes encouraged, and prizes awarded for the best – will feature great food and entertainment by The Jim Hyatt Band, sponsored by Weaver and Company.

For full program information and to register for the Symposium September 23- 25, Click Here!

I look forward to seeing you in Denver – cowboy hats encouraged!

Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President

Channeling My Enthusiasm

Since you’ve clicked your way to this blog, I hope you noticed our new website! I’m very excited to launch the new www.brpt.org. Our primary goal was to make the new site well organized and intuitive, offering RPSGTs, CPSGTs and other colleagues in the field valuable information in a fresh and user-friendly format. Hopefully you’ll navigate around the site, easily find what you’re looking for and, in the meantime, discover additional useful resources to help you as you prepare to sit for the RPSGT or CPSGT exam, work toward recertification, or simply to try to keep current with what’s happening in the RPSGT/CPSGT community. The website will continue to be – as so many things are – a work in progress and on October 1, we’ll launch a comprehensive online portal to facilitate the recertification process for RPSGTs and CEC tracking for CPSGTs.

And now for the blog… My intention is to use this blog to respond to questions from candidates and techs providing answers that they and others will find useful; address issues within the field, and share innovative ideas that come to my attention in my professional life and as I interact with credential holders. I spend a great deal of time traveling around the country, attending conferences, giving presentations, and meeting with my peers. I often have a hard time containing my enthusiasm for what I’ve learned and the important feedback I’ve received. Just this past weekend I had a note from a tech in another state who is serving as a leader in a volunteer membership organization related to sleep and EEG. Her term there will be up soon and she is eager to become involved with the work of BRPT. She has been active with legislative activity in her state and she’s offering her time and expertise in any way we might be able to use her. It’s energized techs like this who make BRPT so rewarding and fun to be a part of. Once engaged, a lot of techs realize BRPT is made up of real people, just like them, and a lot of preconceived ideas about exams and testing soon come to an end. Having such a diverse group of techs to interact with and work with throughout the year is not only stimulating but it also offers the opportunity to learn something new every day. This is what I value most in my BRPT role.

I’ll attempt to channel my enthusiasm through this blog and hope you’ll read along, offering comments and insights along the way.

Stay tuned – I’m just getting started!

Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President