(originally published 06/30/2011 at brpt.org)
I don’t know that I have ever been more proud to be part of the BRPT volunteer leadership team than I was at Sleep 2011 in Minneapolis earlier this month. For two and a half days, my colleagues on the BRPT Board – all volunteers, all offering their personal time to support BRPT and our credential holders – spent hours in the BRPT booth on the Sleep 2011 exhibit floor. They were there to talk with our credential holders and our candidates: to help them through the RPSGT recertification process, to talk openly and candidly about the launch of an exam for sleep technologists through ABSM, and to share their personal pride in the RPSGT credential as we officially launched the “Proud to Be an RPSGT” campaign.
The response my colleagues on the BRPT Board of Directors and I received was remarkable: literally hundreds of RPSGTs visited our booth, eager to share their great pride in the credential that has shaped their career in sleep and to commit to continued support of the credential in the years to come. If you were unable to join us in Minneapolis and didn’t pick up a “Proud to Be an RPSGT” button or win a coveted “Proud to Be an RPSGT” t-shirt, check our website over the next few weeks as we launch an expanded online store, stocked to help you celebrate your pride in your RPSGT credential.
We do listen to our credential holders, in person at every opportunity, on the telephone, by email and on social networking sites and professional message boards. I have read a small number of posts on those message boards recently that have underscored for me some misconceptions that remain about the nature of BRPT as an organization.
BRPT is not a membership organization; we are a credentialing body. Our core mission is to develop and deliver a credentialing exam for sleep technologists according to best credentialing practices: a credentialing exam that will be widely respected within the allied health disciplines and by the public we serve. Our credential holders pay no annual dues; unlike several of the most prominent allied health credentialing programs, we do not require an annual fee to maintain the RPSGT credential. Since its inception, the overwhelming percentage of BRPT revenue has been generated by exam fees. The responsibility of the BRPT Board of Directors is to assure that revenues are directed to the enhancement of the BRPT credentialing program, and that sufficient funds are built up and retained in reserves to assure the long-term stability of our credentialing program.
Careful stewardship of BRPT resources has enabled us to maintain our reserves at a level well within best practices recommended for non-profit organizations. At the same time, we have channeled revenues back into the credentialing program, enabling us to move the RPSGT exam to an on demand model, to develop and deliver the RPSGT exam at the state of the art, to build an enhanced online presence to serve our stakeholders, and to build out a recertification tracking tool offered to our credential holders at no charge. We benefit from literally thousands of volunteer hours devoted annually to the development of the BRPT exams and to the other programs of BRPT. Our organization has for many years been administered by a three-person staff, housed within an association management company – a management model which has, year after year, enabled us to reduce our operating overhead by 25-30% compared to operating as an organization providing it’s own staffing and daily operations. At the same time, our management model has enabled us to operate as a strong, independent credentialing body, without the direct influence of a parent organization. As a point of reference, the AAST, a membership organization, has chosen a similar management model, though their choice has been to be managed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
So thank you for your comments, questions and continued engagement in the BRPT credentialing program. I value your input and am very proud to serve as BRPT president.
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Reflections From The ABSM Information Session At SLEEP 2011
By Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R.EEG/EP T.
President-Elect, BRPT
(originally published 06/22/2011 at brpt.org)
I recently attended an American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) technologist examination information session at the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) program in Minneapolis. Most technologists went to lunch, but a hundred or so were present.
Dr. Richard Rosenberg gave the presentation. Dr. Nathaniel Watson was also there. He was introduced as president of the ABSM and he sat next to Dr. Rosenberg on the stage but really didn’t say much.
Dr. Rosenberg is a full-time American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) employee, and Dr. Watson is on the AASM board of directors. How can the ABSM be “an independent, nonprofit, self-designated board” separate from undue influence by the AASM? The relationship between the two groups is not transparent.
On several occasions Dr. Rosenberg let the audience know that he trained in sleep with Dr. Rechtschaffen, and he serves on the Committee for Accreditation of Polysomnographic Technologists Education (CoA PSG). He talked of all the good the AASM has done for sleep technologists and education. He forgot to mention the role that the AAST and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) played in advancing technologists’ professional status, or in the formation and continued support of the CoA PSG.
Dr. Rosenberg said there was absolutely no financial motivation, as rumors implied, behind the development of the new technologist exam. He said the ABSM simply wants to offer a technologist examination that is relevant for all “stakeholders.” And they want a pass rate that is higher than the RPSGT exam... for the good of the profession. In other words, for the good of the physicians who employ the techs who are unable to pass the RPSGT exam. After all, he implies, the problem in passing the RPSGT exam is with the exam itself, and not the individuals or educational pathways.
To them, it doesn’t matter that the BRPT works with a well-respected professional testing company, or that the BRPT uses best practices for developing, maintaining, reviewing, delivering, and scoring the RPSGT examination. Or that it uses a geographically and professionally diverse group of Subject Matter Experts. Or that at every step along the way, the RPSGT examination is checked for validity and relevance not only by the professionals in the field, but by professionals in the testing community. What matters is that the ABSM believes it has produced a better technologist exam that will result in a higher pass rate. After all, the ABSM knows “some psychometricians” who help with the exam. What matters is that the ABSM will do what the AASM asks.
Dr. Rosenberg said the ABSM would apply for NCCA accreditation for the technologist examination. He fumbled with the terms and relationship between the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), which is now ICE. I hope he gets these organizations straight for his next presentation.
Dr. Rosenberg blamed the RPSGT exam pass rate on “stifling” the development of formal sleep technology education programs across the country. He based this on a conversation with a dean at a school in the Chicago area. Dr. Rosenberg talked about the dissatisfaction physicians have with the RPSGT credential, yet he has no data to support that. The AASM is certainly capable of surveying a large number of people and institutions to determine the extent of this dissatisfaction... if they were interested.
Dr. Rosenberg repeatedly referred to outdated RPSGT exam pass rates and did not discuss the difference in pass rates based on educational pathway or over time, or compare the pass rates of similar examinations with multiple pathways. When program directors from two different schools challenged the assertion that the exam was too difficult for CAAHEP students, Dr. Rosenberg indicated their schools were the exception, not the norm.
Dr. Rosenberg told us that the RPSGT requirement for AASM sleep center accreditation would still stand. Yet when asked if he would put that statement in writing, he let the audience know it wouldn’t have any weight. When asked if the new examination should be viewed as a mid-level credential, with the CPSGT on the lowest level and the RPSGT on the highest level, he made it clear that the new credential was to be on equal terms with the RPSGT.
Dr. Rosenberg reminded the audience that the AAST supports the new exam. He let us know AAST’s immediate past president and current president have been involved in the development of the ABSM technologist exam. The audience was already aware of AAST’s position to support “all” technologist examinations—even those not yet developed or evaluated—but it was surprising that AAST leaders were actually assisting in the exam development. This was news to current AAST board members as well. Did Dr. Rosenberg let the cat out of the bag?
When it was time for questions and comments at the end of the presentation, not one person stood up to voice support for the new exam. However, many stood in line to question or comment on the purpose of it. At times those in attendance clapped enthusiastically in support of the techs or physicians who challenged the ABSM. Suffice it to say, the new ABSM technologist examination was not well received.
So why, exactly, is the ABSM getting involved in technologist credentialing? Could it be that the BRPT is truly an independent organization adhering to best practices in credentialing, and the AASM does not like that?
The RPSGT is the Gold Standard. Don’t let grandfathering into the new credential confuse you. While it is “only $25” and you may think that you have nothing to lose, you do. You risk losing the professional identity that technologists have worked for over 32 years to achieve. As technologists we can stand united to keep the RPSGT credential strong. Don’t let the AASM divide and conquer. That is really what this is all about.
President-Elect, BRPT
(originally published 06/22/2011 at brpt.org)
I recently attended an American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) technologist examination information session at the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) program in Minneapolis. Most technologists went to lunch, but a hundred or so were present.
Dr. Richard Rosenberg gave the presentation. Dr. Nathaniel Watson was also there. He was introduced as president of the ABSM and he sat next to Dr. Rosenberg on the stage but really didn’t say much.
Dr. Rosenberg is a full-time American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) employee, and Dr. Watson is on the AASM board of directors. How can the ABSM be “an independent, nonprofit, self-designated board” separate from undue influence by the AASM? The relationship between the two groups is not transparent.
On several occasions Dr. Rosenberg let the audience know that he trained in sleep with Dr. Rechtschaffen, and he serves on the Committee for Accreditation of Polysomnographic Technologists Education (CoA PSG). He talked of all the good the AASM has done for sleep technologists and education. He forgot to mention the role that the AAST and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) played in advancing technologists’ professional status, or in the formation and continued support of the CoA PSG.
Dr. Rosenberg said there was absolutely no financial motivation, as rumors implied, behind the development of the new technologist exam. He said the ABSM simply wants to offer a technologist examination that is relevant for all “stakeholders.” And they want a pass rate that is higher than the RPSGT exam... for the good of the profession. In other words, for the good of the physicians who employ the techs who are unable to pass the RPSGT exam. After all, he implies, the problem in passing the RPSGT exam is with the exam itself, and not the individuals or educational pathways.
To them, it doesn’t matter that the BRPT works with a well-respected professional testing company, or that the BRPT uses best practices for developing, maintaining, reviewing, delivering, and scoring the RPSGT examination. Or that it uses a geographically and professionally diverse group of Subject Matter Experts. Or that at every step along the way, the RPSGT examination is checked for validity and relevance not only by the professionals in the field, but by professionals in the testing community. What matters is that the ABSM believes it has produced a better technologist exam that will result in a higher pass rate. After all, the ABSM knows “some psychometricians” who help with the exam. What matters is that the ABSM will do what the AASM asks.
Dr. Rosenberg said the ABSM would apply for NCCA accreditation for the technologist examination. He fumbled with the terms and relationship between the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), which is now ICE. I hope he gets these organizations straight for his next presentation.
Dr. Rosenberg blamed the RPSGT exam pass rate on “stifling” the development of formal sleep technology education programs across the country. He based this on a conversation with a dean at a school in the Chicago area. Dr. Rosenberg talked about the dissatisfaction physicians have with the RPSGT credential, yet he has no data to support that. The AASM is certainly capable of surveying a large number of people and institutions to determine the extent of this dissatisfaction... if they were interested.
Dr. Rosenberg repeatedly referred to outdated RPSGT exam pass rates and did not discuss the difference in pass rates based on educational pathway or over time, or compare the pass rates of similar examinations with multiple pathways. When program directors from two different schools challenged the assertion that the exam was too difficult for CAAHEP students, Dr. Rosenberg indicated their schools were the exception, not the norm.
Dr. Rosenberg told us that the RPSGT requirement for AASM sleep center accreditation would still stand. Yet when asked if he would put that statement in writing, he let the audience know it wouldn’t have any weight. When asked if the new examination should be viewed as a mid-level credential, with the CPSGT on the lowest level and the RPSGT on the highest level, he made it clear that the new credential was to be on equal terms with the RPSGT.
Dr. Rosenberg reminded the audience that the AAST supports the new exam. He let us know AAST’s immediate past president and current president have been involved in the development of the ABSM technologist exam. The audience was already aware of AAST’s position to support “all” technologist examinations—even those not yet developed or evaluated—but it was surprising that AAST leaders were actually assisting in the exam development. This was news to current AAST board members as well. Did Dr. Rosenberg let the cat out of the bag?
When it was time for questions and comments at the end of the presentation, not one person stood up to voice support for the new exam. However, many stood in line to question or comment on the purpose of it. At times those in attendance clapped enthusiastically in support of the techs or physicians who challenged the ABSM. Suffice it to say, the new ABSM technologist examination was not well received.
So why, exactly, is the ABSM getting involved in technologist credentialing? Could it be that the BRPT is truly an independent organization adhering to best practices in credentialing, and the AASM does not like that?
The RPSGT is the Gold Standard. Don’t let grandfathering into the new credential confuse you. While it is “only $25” and you may think that you have nothing to lose, you do. You risk losing the professional identity that technologists have worked for over 32 years to achieve. As technologists we can stand united to keep the RPSGT credential strong. Don’t let the AASM divide and conquer. That is really what this is all about.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Getting Involved With Your State Sleep Society
From time to time BRPT will invite a "guest blogger" to contribute a short article in this space. The opinions, representations and statements made within a "guest" article are those of the author and should not be construed as statements made on behalf of BRPT. Copyright remains with the author.
April 26, 2011
Getting Involved With Your State Sleep Society
By Randy Townsend, RPSGT
A couple of weeks ago I highlighted the Maryland Sleep Society in a note I put forth via Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/#!/topic.php?uid=45526737450&topic=17507 I asked the question, “What will the Maryland Sleep Society do?”
In response to my note, the BRPT has requested that I write a guest blog entry for you, elaborating on exactly what I feel RPSGTs/CPSGTs should do to get involved with their state sleep societies.
Step 1: Find out what type of organization is in your state.
A basic rule of thumb would be true non-profit organizations are not lobbying groups as they are restricted by their tax status in terms of what they are permitted to do on the political front. That said,they can be very effective in mobilizing their respective memberships for advocacy efforts. Other types of organizations, including for profit organizations, are able to get involved more directly in politics.These organizations have specific agendas. Question: What is their goal? What are they trying to accomplish and how do you benefit from it? A better question might be if they accomplish their goal,how will it affect you?
Regional sleep societies such as the New England Polysomnographic Society, Southern Sleep Society and Carolina Sleep Society, tend to provide continuing education without pursuing political or legislative agendas. State sleep societies, like the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals, North Carolina Academy of Sleep Medicine and South Carolina Sleep Society, tend to be involved with the legislative aspect of sleep medicine.
Step 2: Who do they represent.
All sleep organizations are not alike, so which one should benefit from your participation? Remember,you are going to pay to attend; they are going to spend your money. The AASM supports physicians;while not a membership organization, the BRPT supports RPSGTs/CPSGTs; the AARC supports RRTs/CRTs; and the AAST supports…ummmm, ok, moving on.
When choosing the meeting to attend, it only makes sense to support the sleep society that supports you and your credential. Unfortunately, all of us do not have the luxury of large salaries, corporate reimbursements or other types of financial freedom. That means we have to attend the closest or cheapest meeting available. Out of necessity, you may be forced to financially support a group that doesn’t represent your best interests. What can you do about that?
Step 3: Take action.
Get involved, change the organization. Sound simple? Actually, it can be. Look at the organization’s website, read the bylaws, newsletters and other information available. Find out what they stand for. If you want change, it can be done in two ways:
One: Run for office. All membership organizations will have some type of board to represent the members. Board members decide the direction of the society. Being on the board allows you to have input into the actions taken. Suppose they take your money for membership, and they do not allow you to run for office, that’s probably a big legal no-no. That can be easily changed with a phone call to an attorney.
Two: Call for a membership vote at the meeting. Most organizational bylaws allow for a percentage of members present to take action, make proposals or call for a vote. This can be done at the meeting, on the spot. Typically, the bylaws will not specify what you can call for a vote on. If a board member does not perform as expected, you can call for a vote. In a broader sense, if you don’t like the way the board is set up, or perhaps you think a section of the bylaws should be changed, you can call for a vote on that too.
Why should you get involved? Sleep medicine is changing. The days of being registered and attending meetings just to get your CEU’s are ending. Medicare and Medicaid are broken. Those organizations will reduce or completely eliminate sleep study reimbursements. Physician reimbursements will be reduced.Testing profit margins are going to drop so businesses will cut costs. Home testing is on the verge of becoming the standard and reimbursements are low.
You, the licensed RPSGT, CPSGT, RRT, CRT, RRT-SDS, are the most expensive part of the testing process.If the physicians and business owners can implement or find a lower cost alternative, they will. You are expendable. The only way to secure your position in sleep medicine is to:
A: Prevent special interest groups from controlling your sleep society by electing individuals who support your position.
B: Support yourself and your credential by promoting your position in sleep medicine.
C: Pay attention to what’s happening in the field of sleep medicine. Read periodicals and keep track of events.
D: Ask questions. (This may be the most important thing you do. Quiet people tend to be ignored by the talking heads.)
Good luck.
Randy Townsend, RPSGT
April 26, 2011
Getting Involved With Your State Sleep Society
By Randy Townsend, RPSGT
A couple of weeks ago I highlighted the Maryland Sleep Society in a note I put forth via Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/#!/topic.php?uid=45526737450&topic=17507 I asked the question, “What will the Maryland Sleep Society do?”
In response to my note, the BRPT has requested that I write a guest blog entry for you, elaborating on exactly what I feel RPSGTs/CPSGTs should do to get involved with their state sleep societies.
Step 1: Find out what type of organization is in your state.
A basic rule of thumb would be true non-profit organizations are not lobbying groups as they are restricted by their tax status in terms of what they are permitted to do on the political front. That said,they can be very effective in mobilizing their respective memberships for advocacy efforts. Other types of organizations, including for profit organizations, are able to get involved more directly in politics.These organizations have specific agendas. Question: What is their goal? What are they trying to accomplish and how do you benefit from it? A better question might be if they accomplish their goal,how will it affect you?
Regional sleep societies such as the New England Polysomnographic Society, Southern Sleep Society and Carolina Sleep Society, tend to provide continuing education without pursuing political or legislative agendas. State sleep societies, like the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals, North Carolina Academy of Sleep Medicine and South Carolina Sleep Society, tend to be involved with the legislative aspect of sleep medicine.
Step 2: Who do they represent.
All sleep organizations are not alike, so which one should benefit from your participation? Remember,you are going to pay to attend; they are going to spend your money. The AASM supports physicians;while not a membership organization, the BRPT supports RPSGTs/CPSGTs; the AARC supports RRTs/CRTs; and the AAST supports…ummmm, ok, moving on.
When choosing the meeting to attend, it only makes sense to support the sleep society that supports you and your credential. Unfortunately, all of us do not have the luxury of large salaries, corporate reimbursements or other types of financial freedom. That means we have to attend the closest or cheapest meeting available. Out of necessity, you may be forced to financially support a group that doesn’t represent your best interests. What can you do about that?
Step 3: Take action.
Get involved, change the organization. Sound simple? Actually, it can be. Look at the organization’s website, read the bylaws, newsletters and other information available. Find out what they stand for. If you want change, it can be done in two ways:
One: Run for office. All membership organizations will have some type of board to represent the members. Board members decide the direction of the society. Being on the board allows you to have input into the actions taken. Suppose they take your money for membership, and they do not allow you to run for office, that’s probably a big legal no-no. That can be easily changed with a phone call to an attorney.
Two: Call for a membership vote at the meeting. Most organizational bylaws allow for a percentage of members present to take action, make proposals or call for a vote. This can be done at the meeting, on the spot. Typically, the bylaws will not specify what you can call for a vote on. If a board member does not perform as expected, you can call for a vote. In a broader sense, if you don’t like the way the board is set up, or perhaps you think a section of the bylaws should be changed, you can call for a vote on that too.
Why should you get involved? Sleep medicine is changing. The days of being registered and attending meetings just to get your CEU’s are ending. Medicare and Medicaid are broken. Those organizations will reduce or completely eliminate sleep study reimbursements. Physician reimbursements will be reduced.Testing profit margins are going to drop so businesses will cut costs. Home testing is on the verge of becoming the standard and reimbursements are low.
You, the licensed RPSGT, CPSGT, RRT, CRT, RRT-SDS, are the most expensive part of the testing process.If the physicians and business owners can implement or find a lower cost alternative, they will. You are expendable. The only way to secure your position in sleep medicine is to:
A: Prevent special interest groups from controlling your sleep society by electing individuals who support your position.
B: Support yourself and your credential by promoting your position in sleep medicine.
C: Pay attention to what’s happening in the field of sleep medicine. Read periodicals and keep track of events.
D: Ask questions. (This may be the most important thing you do. Quiet people tend to be ignored by the talking heads.)
Good luck.
Randy Townsend, RPSGT
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Staying Focused
As I’m scrambling to tie up loose ends at work before leaving for a conference or other professional meeting, I always find myself asking the same question: Do I really have time to attend this conference? The answer is almost always no, but when I return home I’m often grateful for having had the opportunity.
This year’s Focus on Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine Conference in San Diego was well worth the pre-trip frenzy. I attended a full-day Sleep Educator course in the good company of engaged RPSGTs, nurses, nurse practitioners and DME providers. Topics included an overview of Sleep Disordered Breathing, how to interpret a sleep report, adult learning principles and PAP set-up and follow-up. Many of the attendees expressed interest in a credentialing exam for this subspecialty. The speakers were top-notch – from Dr. Barbara Phillips to Dr. Nareesh Dewan to Ed Grandi and Robin Woidtke, RN, RPSGT. At the end, all participants received a clinical and patient tool kit provided on a thumb drive. Kudos to Robin Woidtke for organizing such an excellent seminar!
The BRPT booth was busy with lots of techs asking good questions about RPSGT recertification, what’s happening legislatively in specific states, and of course, concern expressed about the ABSM exam.
With 1,700 attendees, Focus is a good opportunity to network with other techs, therapists and vendors. It’s a terrific bargain with a low registration fee and many continuing education credits available. The combination of education and entertainment made the pre-trip scramble a distant memory.
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
This year’s Focus on Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine Conference in San Diego was well worth the pre-trip frenzy. I attended a full-day Sleep Educator course in the good company of engaged RPSGTs, nurses, nurse practitioners and DME providers. Topics included an overview of Sleep Disordered Breathing, how to interpret a sleep report, adult learning principles and PAP set-up and follow-up. Many of the attendees expressed interest in a credentialing exam for this subspecialty. The speakers were top-notch – from Dr. Barbara Phillips to Dr. Nareesh Dewan to Ed Grandi and Robin Woidtke, RN, RPSGT. At the end, all participants received a clinical and patient tool kit provided on a thumb drive. Kudos to Robin Woidtke for organizing such an excellent seminar!
The BRPT booth was busy with lots of techs asking good questions about RPSGT recertification, what’s happening legislatively in specific states, and of course, concern expressed about the ABSM exam.
With 1,700 attendees, Focus is a good opportunity to network with other techs, therapists and vendors. It’s a terrific bargain with a low registration fee and many continuing education credits available. The combination of education and entertainment made the pre-trip scramble a distant memory.
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Maintaining Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
“When I earned my RPSGT credential, I thought I had earned a ‘credential for life.’ Why doesn’t the BRPT allow grandfathering for the RPSGT credential, exempting longtime credential holders from the requirement to recertify?” That’s a question I see raised on message boards on a regular basis. The answer is very straightforward.
The RPSGT exam is the only exam specific to the sleep field that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). NCCA accreditation standards are rigorous. They call for certification programs to have a strong mechanism in place to measure and enhance the continued competence of all certificants. That mechanism is recertification. NCCA standards prohibit “grandfathering;” we cannot allow credential holders to continue to use the RPSGT credential and offer them an exemption from the recertification requirement.
The BRPT’s recertification requirements assure that all RPSGTs maintain current knowledge and skills. This is particularly important in our rapidly evolving field. Simply put, grandfathering is not an option. A grandfathering policy would mean loss of NCCA accreditation for the RPSGT exam, and that would not be acceptable.
NCCA accreditation represents independent third-party validation of all processes involved in the development and delivery of the RPSGT exam. We’re very proud of the NCCA accreditation the RPSGT exam has achieved. NCCA accreditation has been critical in winning recognition of the RPSGT credential as proof of professional competency in state legislatures, before state medical and licensing boards, and in CMS reimbursement guidelines.
With more than 17,000 RPSGTs worldwide and BRPT’s strong 32-year history of providing a robust and valid credentialing program, the RPSGT credential will remain the gold standard in sleep technology.
Many of you have begun the active RPSGT recertification process and are logging your CECs into BRPT’s free online recertification platform. To help facilitate the recertification process and to answer any questions you may have, I’ll be conducting a free one-hour webinar, courtesy of ADVANCE magazine, on February 24 at 1:00 EST. To register, go to http://respiratory-care-sleep-medicine.advanceweb.com/Webinar/Editorial-Webinar/RPSGT-Recertification-A-Primer.aspx. I hope you’ll join me!
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
Monday, January 24, 2011
Stronger Than Ever
Over the past week, BRPT shared information with you regarding the AASM’s decision to develop a sleep technologist exam. I have truly been energized by the passionate responses and thoughtful insights from so many of you. I appreciate the phone calls, emails and postings to the BRPT message board and other locations.
Several important themes came across in your messages – too many to recount in a single blog entry. But the comments that have encouraged me the most have been those detailing your steadfast devotion to your patients and your deep concern for their care; the pride you have in your profession, writ large, and in the duties you carry out each day; and, the great sense of achievement and accomplishment you share for the RPSGT credential.
Here’s what some of you have said regarding the development of a new certification exam, how you feel about your credential and what you think would benefit our profession:
There is one other point I’d like to address here. Many of you rightfully questioned why the BRPT and the AASM can’t work together to unite – not divide – the profession. We’re asking the same question. I’ve already noted the genesis and development of the CPSGT exam as one example where we thought we were collaborating and responding to their concerns. But in addition, we’ve had several meetings over the last couple of years with AASM and AAST leadership – most recently in September 2010 at the AASM headquarters. We thought the meeting was open and collaborative and underscored the shared commitment of our organizations to working together to strengthen the profession. We were mistaken.
We stand now, more than ever, committed to a strong credentialing program for our field. The RPSGT credential will remain the highest level of achievement for technologists in sleep medicine. You should be proud of what you have accomplished and the good work you do each day.
Thank you for your comments, suggestions, and words of wisdom. Please continue to make your voices heard by reaching out to us, the AASM, AAST and other professional organizations to which you belong.
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
Several important themes came across in your messages – too many to recount in a single blog entry. But the comments that have encouraged me the most have been those detailing your steadfast devotion to your patients and your deep concern for their care; the pride you have in your profession, writ large, and in the duties you carry out each day; and, the great sense of achievement and accomplishment you share for the RPSGT credential.
Here’s what some of you have said regarding the development of a new certification exam, how you feel about your credential and what you think would benefit our profession:
- The patients are the ones that will ultimately pay the price.
- This will affect patient care and proper diagnosis.
- I thought we were all on the same side to help improve the quality of patients’ lives.
- Having several different credentials will only cause confusion and destabilize our profession.
- The problem lies in education.
- We need quality training programs for people entering the field.
- I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment when recently passing the RPSGT exam. This [development] feels like a slap in the face.
- I take great pride in my hard work over the years and the time and effort I put into my profession.
- Those of us who pass and become registered have achieved something special and are proud of what we have accomplished.
There is one other point I’d like to address here. Many of you rightfully questioned why the BRPT and the AASM can’t work together to unite – not divide – the profession. We’re asking the same question. I’ve already noted the genesis and development of the CPSGT exam as one example where we thought we were collaborating and responding to their concerns. But in addition, we’ve had several meetings over the last couple of years with AASM and AAST leadership – most recently in September 2010 at the AASM headquarters. We thought the meeting was open and collaborative and underscored the shared commitment of our organizations to working together to strengthen the profession. We were mistaken.
We stand now, more than ever, committed to a strong credentialing program for our field. The RPSGT credential will remain the highest level of achievement for technologists in sleep medicine. You should be proud of what you have accomplished and the good work you do each day.
Thank you for your comments, suggestions, and words of wisdom. Please continue to make your voices heard by reaching out to us, the AASM, AAST and other professional organizations to which you belong.
Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)