BRPT 2.0

Mentoring and managing staff, budgeting, PR and communications campaigns, grassroots and legislative initiatives… they’re all part and parcel of running any non-profit. And after you’ve been in the business long enough, you learn that whether it’s at a large trade association representing widget manufacturers, or a small charity devoted to saving endangered species, the fundamentals of non-profit management are essentially the same. So what sets them apart?  In my experience, it comes down to one word: the “issues.” 

When I interviewed for the position of Executive Director of the BRPT, I said to Cindy (BRPT President) and Janice (BRPT Past President) “I like the fact that you help people who have problems.”  And I honestly believe that. As CPSGTs and RPSGTs, your “issue” is helping people with sleep disorders. When I attended the Symposium in Reno last September, I learned first-hand just how important that is to someone’s overall health.  I listened to the sessions about co-morbidities associated with OSA and their deleterious effects on the human body.  And I also learned, apart from their own health risks, about the dangers undiagnosed sleep apnea sufferers pose to others -- from coworkers in busy factories, to fellow motorists on our nation’s highways.

And more importantly, there’s something else I observed in Reno: Passion. I saw a group of highly trained professionals who were truly committed to, and passionate about, sleep medicine and helping their patients.  I heard it from people like Lisa Bauck, an RPSGT at the Oregon Clinic, with whom I had the pleasure of sitting next to at one of the group lunches following a morning session.

I saw that passion on display several times as people vocalized their concerns about protecting and preserving the integrity and future of the RPSGT credential.  Folks like David Rusnak, from MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland.  I drive by David’s workplace on my way to music lessons in neighboring Ashton about once a month.  Little did I know there was an individual so well-versed on the Stark Act and legislative issues impacting sleep credentialing right in my backyard.  And I saw the passion in the many faces, whose names are too numerous to list here, that I met in the exhibit hall and at the registration desk.

That was three months ago.  And it’s been six months since I started as Executive Director in June.  That’s when you start getting “into the groove,” as they say, in a new job.  And what the BRPT staff and I have been trying to do along the way is listen.  Listen to what the RPSGT community is saying.  Based on all the calls and emails and questions and comments, we’re changing things.  We’re going to make the website easier to navigate.  We’re going to implement new recertification reminders.  For first-time test takers, we’re going to make the application easier to understand.  We’re going to be more proactive on the public policy front.  We’re going to continue to develop and expand the CSE program. We’re doing all of this based on feedback that you have provided to us.  Here in the office, we call it BRPT two-point-oh.  And as we roll that out over the coming weeks and months, we’ll keep listening to you and fine-tuning things along the way. So thank you for voicing your comments, concerns and most importantly your support as we enter the New Year. 

Jim Magruder

BRPT Executive Director

The First Step Is To Ask The Right Questions

Six months into my tenure as BRPT President, I’ve spent considerable time delving into exam statistics and data, trying to understand what influences the pass rate and perception of difficulty of the RPSGT exam.  Unfortunately, my investigation just leads me to more questions instead of answers.  For instance, why is it, time after time, RPSGT candidates who have another health care credential have the highest overall pass rate on the RPSGT exam?  Is it because they have more education or work experience in health care, or they are better test-takers, or could it be they know how to prepare better for a certification examination?  Why is it two individuals who go through the same associate’s level education program, and receive the same information, can perform differently on the exam, one passing and another failing?   Why is it students from one education program can have a consistently high pass rate while students from another can have a consistently low pass rate?  Could it be there is a difference in education courses, or instructors, or maybe the motivation or educational readiness of students accepted into the programs?   Why is it that individuals with on-the-job training, supported by on-line education modules, consistently have the lowest pass rate on the RPSGT exam?  And why is it that nearly 50% of test takers find the RPSGT exam fair or even too easy, while the other 50% say the exam is too difficult?

An investigator should have a hypothesis.  My hypothesis is that the RPSGT exam is not unrealistically difficult.  I think there are many factors contributing to the perception of difficulty and the pass rate of the exam.  I am not convinced there are significant flaws in the design or content of the RPSGT exam.  As a reputable certification agency, the BRPT builds an examination that is relevant to large numbers of people with varied backgrounds and education.  It offers examinations using strict security measures.  It recruits subject matter experts from all around the country, with differing backgrounds, education, and work experience.  BRPT brings subject matter experts together to work face-to-face, sometimes spending-literally-hours on one exam question before it is approved for use on the examination.  BRPT uses psychometricians and statisticians to balance the level of difficulty for each exam form, and to evaluate each and every exam question for reliability and validity, looking for items that need to be double checked for accuracy or even re-worked for better clarity.  As a nationally – and internationally –respected credentialing organization, the BRPT builds the exam against a blueprint of a job description that is created from a statistically reliable survey of technologists working day to day in the field as RPSGTs, a survey that is repeated at least every 5 years, sooner as the field changes rapidly, to keep the exam relevant.

BRPT works very hard to put together the RPSGT certification examination based on current testing guidelines and standards.  Is the exam difficult?  For some it is, for others it is not.  Can the RPSGT exam be improved?  Absolutely!  BRPT is continually evaluating and reevaluating exam options and processes to incorporate positive changes and enhancements.  The RPSGT exam is a good, sound exam.  It is an exam prepared for sleep technologists by sleep technologists.  During my term as President I hope to prove or disprove my hypothesis.  I think I can do this by drilling down deeper into the data we collect, by looking at similar certification organizations, issues of professional readiness, and factors that affect learning.   As we begin the process to conduct a new Job Task Analysis for the RPSGT exam, I can assure you these questions will remain at the forefront of our discussions.

Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R. EEG/EP T.
BRPT President

December - The Busiest Month of the Year

December 9, 2011

December always seems to be – and, I guess, actually usually is – the busiest month of the year! At BRPT we’re working to get all RPSGTs with a recertification date of January 1, 2012 on track to recertify on time. Actually, we’re working to get those RPSGTs to recertify ahead of time. The BRPT office will close for the holiday break the week of December 26, re-opening on Tuesday, January 3; no live recertification help will be available during that period. If you’re not sure of your own recertification date, Click Here to check your records in our online database. And, remind your colleagues to do the same. We don’t want to see credentials jeopardized because an RPSGT “didn’t know” about recertification.

Speaking of recertification, BRPT, in partnership with Sleep Health Management Resources, Inc. is about to offer the third in a three-part series of one-hour online programs offered at no cost to RPSGTs working to earn the continuing education credits required to recertify. The third webinar, Sleep Health Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Monitoring, will be offered December 12 -- 16th. Each program carries one CSTE credit, automatically uploaded to your BRPT recertification portal. For program and registration information Click Here.

And, of course, December is about the holidays and holiday shopping. We have just launched an expanded BRPT Store. Take a quick look – we think you will find some items perfect for recognizing colleagues and team members, and an item or two that will let you show off your own “RPSGT Pride!”

Best Regards,

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

A Sound Infrastructure

It is important to me and to my colleagues on the BRPT Board of Directors that our credential holders have both confidence in the BRPT leadership as effective stewards of the BRPT credentialing program, and an accurate understanding of the management model in place to assure that BRPT operations are conducted in a stable, consistent, and cost effective manner.

There is a misperception among some technologists that the development and maintenance of the BRPT exams is handled by Association Management Group (AMG), the management firm retained to provide operational management services to BRPT. That is not correct: the BRPT exam development process is handled by volunteer subject matter experts (our SMEs), each of them experienced, working sleep technologists. These SMEs work in close cooperation with our testing partner, Pearson VUE, and under the direction of the Exam Development Committee (EDC) chair to manage the ongoing activities related to the BRPT exams. Pearson VUE, a recognized global leader in the field of standardized testing, assures the psychometric validity and the reliability of our exams and delivers our exams to technologists through testing centers all over the world. Our EDC chair, with years of experience both as a sleep technologist and as a facility manager, paired with extensive experience in the development of the BRPT exams, assures that our exams are developed and delivered according to best practices in professional credentialing. The staff assigned to BRPT through AMG -- a four-person team including an executive director, credentialing manager, credentialing coordinator, and program coordinator -- are focused on the day-to-day operations of BRPT: application review and processing, management of the RPSGT recertification program, customer service, communications, and program marketing. If BRPT did not use a company such as AMG, more expense would be incurred for office space, equipment, staff, IT support, etc.

The management decisions made by the BRPT Board have been made carefully and are reviewed throughout the year. The savings realized by BRPT through a relationship with a management firm are material compared to operation of BRPT as a stand-alone organization. The American Society of Association Executives, in an annual review of non-profit organizational operations, estimates those savings at 25-30%. Financial stewardship is a key responsibility of the BRPT Board. The Board has, for many years, maintained a level of reserve funding at or above the level recommended for stable operation of a non-profit organization of BRPT's size and scope. Revenues generated by the BRPT credentialing program are directed toward an expansion of the programs and services in place to serve our stakeholders: an on demand testing model, the highest quality exam development and delivery model, the development of an online tool for the management of the RPSGT recertification process, and an effective marketing and communications program on behalf of our credentials. All twelve members of the BRPT Board of Directors are volunteers and are not paid for the work they contribute. New directors are selected from interested volunteers as position terms expire. Directors’ terms are typically four years while officer positions are two.

The relationship of BRPT -- a credentialing body -- to our credential holders is not identical to the relationship of a membership body to its members. We are charged with developing and delivering credentialing exams, and maintaining those exams at a level which will assure that the credentials we offer will retain their value and will support the standing of our field within the broader allied health community. That is a responsibility which the BRPT leadership takes very much to heart.


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

Excitement For Tomorrow

October 10, 2011

Last month, the BRPT held its 5th Annual Symposium: In Tune With Today—
Collaborating For Tomorrow and to say it was a success is an understatement. A strong sense of community, pride and passion for the field was palpable among the more than 200 RPSGTs gathered in Nashville. Their enthusiasm was contagious and exciting.

Dr. Charles Atwood delivered the keynote address. He dove into the future of sleep medicine and the number of changing sleep paradigms. He talked about three future trends he sees impacting the profession, he believes: home sleep testing will become the focus of managing obstructive sleep apnea; sleep labs will become centers for testing much more complicated patients; and RPSGTs will have more diverse and specialized roles. He talked about the need to work with and educate patients more than ever before and the need to be more technologically oriented.

Dr. Atwood described RPSGTs as “the linchpin of the sleep medicine enterprise” and I couldn’t agree more. Sleep disorders are not going away, but the way we manage them is changing. He advised us all to train for the future, not the past.

It was a full two days with speakers covering the increasingly important role of the Clinical Sleep Educator – the importance of knowing advanced therapies – and the elements of chronic care management.

We learned about exploring external and internal expansion options for sleep centers, paving the way for the future. We received detailed information around choosing an accrediting organization making certain the choice we make brings value to our sleep center and to our patients.

One presenter led us through the process of developing and implementing a solid quality assurance program in our sleep center. And, a well-known legal expert in the field provided a detailed overview of the laws impacting sleep centers and how to stay informed and in compliance with them.

The feedback I received from both RPSGTs and the vendors who joined us in Nashville was unanimous: it was an enriching and enjoyable professional experience. Click here to view photos of your fellow RPSGTs learning, working and enjoying themselves with colleagues. Thanks to everyone who participated: you were integral to making this an event to remember!

For now, mark your calendars for the 2012 BRPT Symposium in Reno, NV, September 20-22!


BRPT President

My Turn

From time to time BRPT invites 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.

September 6, 2011

My Turn
By Bonnie Robertson, AAHA, CRT, RPSGT

The Indiana Society of Sleep Professionals held their annual symposium in Fishers, Indiana on August 18th and 19th. It was an excellent meeting with several speakers discussing the future of sleep medicine and the challenges presented by changes in the field.

One of the speakers, Mr. Bruce Blehart, is the Director of Health Policy and Government Relations for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). He was asked to address the “State of Sleep Medicine” by the conference organizers.

Mr. Blehart’s presentation covered several aspects including local coverage determination (LCD) criteria for polysomnography in hospitals, outside of lab testing, and IDTFs. The LCD for the state of Indiana directly refers to the BRPT and the RPSGT credential in its language, which he noted. Mr. Blehart also discussed state statutory language for sleep technologists and covered the details surrounding practice acts in several states.

As the final piece of his presentation, Mr. Blehart presented information regarding the development of a new ABSM sleep technologist competency assessment examination. He said that “center managers” do not think the RPSGT credential indicates a technologist can perform the standard tasks necessary in a sleep lab. This “information” was also included in his slides. He emphasized that the “historically low pass rate” has completely stifled growth of education in the field. He stated that the AASM developed the curriculum for the educational CoA PSG programs. He also implied that the removal of pediatrics and MSLTs from the BRPT exam was done to increase the pass rate. This is simply not true.

Mr. Blehart stated several times during his presentation that the BRPT removed the 2011 pass rates from their website and he assumes that it was done because the pass rates must be even lower than previous years and the BRPT does not want anyone to know that. Again, this is simply not true. In fact, the year-to-date pass rate for the RPSGT exam through July 2011 was 63%.

He went on to state that the BRPT has always been “wagged by the tail” in their decision-making process and that the ABSM will be “controlling the wagging” by asking employers what they want instead of using nationally recognized standards for accrediting bodies.

And finally, Mr. Blehart equated the ABSM to the NBRC.

As a past president of the BRPT, I took the opportunity to speak at the end of Mr. Blehart’s presentation. Some of the information he presented was one-sided, incomplete, and not entirely factual.

I addressed the group of 200 sleep technologists who are predominantly RPSGTs. I spoke of the long history of the BRPT, the rigorous standards employed by the BRPT for exam development and exam delivery. I underscored BRPT’s commitment to the field through its long-standing support of the CoA PSG and even stipulated that I had personally chaired the syllabus committee, a group of very hard-working sleep technologists, who volunteered countless hours of time to develop a curriculum that fairly and accurately represented the field of sleep medicine technology and used the BRPT blueprint to do so. I talked about the countless number of volunteers and hours of labor done by those volunteers over the years to keep the exam legally viable and defensible. I encouraged everyone to visit the BRPT website to make their own decisions about the situation as it currently stands.

And I definitely corrected Mr. Blehart’s comparison of the NBRC and the ABSM. The NBRC was started by respiratory therapists and is still governed by respiratory therapists. The ABSM is not governed by sleep technologists. The true equivalent would be the BRPT and the NBRC.

The conference was attended by a very large number of RPSGTs many of whom approached me afterwards to thank me for standing up for their credential. They worked very hard to earn the credential and they felt a huge sense of pride and accomplishment when they passed the RPSGT exam. They, without exception, expressed concerns that another credential in the field will cause confusion by employers and regulatory bodies, derision in the field, and degradation of their accomplishments. To these committed, hard working RPSGTs, I say: the RPSGT credential is and will remain the highest level of achievement in sleep technology. The gold standard will continue to shine.

ASET Is Once Again An Asset

I was reminded again about what I like so much about this volunteer role of BRPT President: it allows me to meet colleagues and other professionals within the field of sleep medicine, always resulting in engaged, rich discussions about our profession. The recent ASET conference in Atlanta was no different. With more than 540 attendees, speakers and vendors, the annual conference had its highest turnout since 2002!

Fellow Board member and President-elect Cindy Altman, RPSGT, R. EEG/EP T. and I were both honored to give presentations on The Value of Proven Credentials in Today’s Healthcare Market and Scoring the Polysomnogram, respectively. In addition, the Trends in Polysomnography program included presentations on portable PSGs, parasomnias, licensure issues and process for a total of 5.75 CECs. The program director, Steve Semich, RPSGT, R. EP T., CNIM, did an exceptional job.

Other terrific courses included Trends in Neurodiagnostics, EEG Key Topics, Advance Intraoperative Monitoring, Epilepsy Monitoring, Nerve Conduction Studies Key Topics, and Evoked Potentials.

The BRPT booth was teeming with activity. Cindy and I had the pleasure of speaking with scores of RPSGTs, many of whom are in the process of recertifying and were interested in CECs, deadlines, and BRPT’s free online portal used by so many to track continuing education. Congratulations, once again, to Clive Patterson, RPSGT who was the lucky winner of the Amazon Kindle at our booth.

Save the date -- the ASET 2012 annual conference will be in St. Paul, MN August 2-4 and if it’s anything like this year’s, you won’t want to miss it.

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