State of the RPSGT Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, LLC 4rd Annual Sleep Conference “Keep Texas Sleeping” Michael Brennen, RPSGT October 28 th, 2011

Financial Disclosure BRPT Board of Directors Treasurer Chair, Government Relations Committee

About BRPT An independent, non-profit certification board for the field of sleep technology. 32 years cultivating the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential currently held by more than 17,000 RPSGTs worldwide.

New RPSGTs Certified Annually:

New RPSGTs Certified Annually:

International RPSGT Candidates

Exam Development Committee Includes volunteer subject matter experts credentialed in sleep technology and working actively in the field Diverse by experience level, geography, age, gender, and work situation Team develops items for the RPSGT exam and maintains and enhances the RPSGT item bank under the direction of Pearson VUE

A World Class Testing Partner

The Pearson VUE team Working with BRPT Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) oversees the development and maintenance of the RPSGT exam Delivers the RPSGT exam around the world in state of the art testing facilities

Testing Model The RPSGT exam is computer-based and offered to candidates on an “on demand” basis. Results are delivered in real time.

Candidate Performance Year to date 2011, the overall pass rate for the RPSGT exam was 61% (1487 candidates) 56% for Pathway #1 candidates: candidates with 18 months PSG experience 78% for Pathway #2 candidates: candidates holding another recognized credential 71% for Pathway #3 candidates: graduates of CAAHEP-accredited programs in PSG

Candidate Performance For comparison: ABRET/EEG written exam pass rate : 40% with 3 years experience; 62% with associate’s degree; 65% CAAHEP END grads NBRC / RRT written exam / new candidates 2010: 62%, minimum CRT; options for associate’s degree, 62 hours college credit, and varying lengths of experience

The Job Task Analysis A solid job task analysis is the cornerstone of a valid, reliable credentialing exam Conducted every 3-5 years Key component: an extensive survey of individuals currently working in the field to be tested Most recent RPSGT job task analysis: 2009

The Job Task Analysis Under the direction of Pearson VUE psychometric team, surveyed the current RPSGT database Results of survey reviewed by carefully selected, representative panel of SMEs The exam blueprint is built on the results of the survey: not on what the SMEs may think the results should be.

The Job Task Analysis A valid job task analysis assures that we are testing what we should be testing. It assures the legal defensibility of the RPSGT exam. The results of the next job task analysis will change as our field changes. And the RPSGT exam will change and evolve.

Recertification All RPSGTs must recertify every 5 years by earning a minimum of 50 continuing education credits. A recertification requirement–almost unheard of in allied health only 20 years ago–is now universally recognized as critical to assuring continued competency.

Recertification: A look at the numbers 1,562 RPSGTs have completed the recertification process 5,059 RPSGTs are uploading CECs online (BRPT’s free online recertification portal) 69,386 CECs have been logged into the database 281, hours have been entered by RPSGTs – that’s over 32 years of cumulative education!

NCCA Accreditation RPSGT exam is the only exam specific to the sleep field that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. NCCA accreditation represents independent third party validation of all processes involved in the development and delivery of the RPSGT exam.

NCCA Accreditation Requires A rigorous job task analysis, assuring that BRPT is offering a valid exam, reflective of the knowledge, skills, and tasks required of a working RPSGT. Stringent recertification requirements Annual reporting to NCCA to assure on-going compliance with best credentialing industry practices

NCCA Accreditation Supports The standing of the RPSGT credential with state and federal regulators The standing of the credential under reimbursement guidelines for Medicare and Medicaid The standing of the credential within the allied health community

The Challenge The core challenge facing our field today: the lack of standardized, readily available educational programs and educational resources in sleep technology.

Looking Ahead BRPT will continue to actively support CAAHEP and the development of new and innovative educational resources for RPSGT candidates. BRPT will continue to function as a strong, independent credentialing body for the field of sleep technology, independent of the undue influence of a parent organization

Looking Ahead  BRPT leadership will continue active outreach to credential holders: BRPT presence at professional events continues in : FOCUS, CSET, Southern Sleep Society, Alabama Sleep Society, NESS, Carolina Sleep Society, GASP, APSS, West Virginia Sleep Society, Texas Society of Sleep Professionals and numerous other state and regional events.

Looking Ahead  BRPT will remain an active participant in the allied health and professional credentialing communities Health Professions Network National Sleep Foundation National Sleep Awareness Roundtable Association of Test Publishers Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Looking Ahead BRPT will continue to engage the professional sleep media in support of BRPT credentials: Upcoming Sleep Review editorial Feature in Sleep Diagnostics Recurring BRPT “Quiz Page” in Advance for Respiratory Care Recurring “Credentialing Update” in A2Zzzzz

Looking Ahead Support the RPSGT exam according to best practices in professional credentialing, Support the CPSGT exam as a strong, early commitment to building a career in sleep technology

Looking Ahead BRPT will engage credential holders and respond to their concerns: RPSGT Recertification: effective June 1, 2011, RPSGTs will no longer be required to earn CECs in specific categories. Requirement: 50 CECs – total -- earned over 5 years Responding to concerns around travel costs and limited CEC availability

Looking Ahead BRPT will continue to support a community of credentialed sleep technologists, offering: A robust website supporting the BRPT credentialing program and the needs of BRPT credential holders An increasingly popular Facebook page An active job board, available to employers and job seekers

Looking Ahead An interactive message board, serving as a forum for BRPT credential holders The BRPT President’s blog, featuring occasional guest bloggers A quarterly online newsletter An online continuing education tracking tool, available to all BRPT credential holders An annual, RPSGT-only Symposium

Continuing Sleep Technology Education Granting Continuing Education Credits to education providers supporting the professional development of sleep technologists and high-quality patient care.

Continuing Sleep Technology Education Educational programs approved by BRPT must meet the following criteria: – Planned and conducted by qualified individuals. – Address an identified need within the sleep technology profession. – Contain specific written learning objectives.

Continuing Sleep Technology Education – Program content and instructional methods lead to specific learning objectives. – An evaluation method is used to determine if the learning objectives were obtained. – A post-test is required for Self-Learning programs. RPSGTs who attend programs offering CSTE credits will have those credits automatically entered into their recertification portal.

Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate Program Will be offered at the FOCUS conference Nashville TN May 9, 2012 Assessment based certificate program Provides non-physician health care providers working in sleep medicine training and education to aid in the care and management of patients with sleep disorders, primarily sleep apnea

Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate Program Recognizes the importance of HCPs who collaborate with physicians, patients and families in the delivery of services and management of sleep disorders Emphasizes the important role of non- physician HCPs in successful disease management, community support, and the standard of care and education provided to patients and families.

Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate Program The faculty includes RNs, doctors, and inviduals active in patient advocacy The program will award a certificate of completion and will carry CSTE continuing education credit. More Information?

American Board of Sleep Medicine: Sleep Technologist Registry Examination Announced Jan A certification examination to sleep technologists based on a blueprint reflective of the day-to-day professional responsibilities of sleep technologists in the sleep center setting and instruction received from available didactic programs.

ABSM: RST Credential A third examination pathway enables sleep technologists greater options when taking the certification examination for their profession, which is increasingly required by law. The examination offered by the ABSM does not have a “stated goal of producing a high pass rate” as inferred by the BRPT.

ABSM: RST Credential There is no intention by the ABSM to undermine the RPSGT credential or its value in the profession. Current holders of the RPSGT credential will be grandfathered into the new credential if they elect this option.

RST Eligibility Requirements Graduates of CAAHEP or Co/ARC programs in polysomnography Completion of the 80 hr. A-STEP Introductory Program, the full series of A-STEP training modules (on-line) and have exceeded a minimum experience in an AASM accredited sleep center

RST Eligibility Requirements Health Professionals (MD, DO, Ph.D or Psy.D. in health related discipline, PA, RN or LPN; allied health professionals—RRT, CRT, R. EEG. T., EMT-P, Radiology (RT, RT(R), RT(CT), RT(BD) with Minimum experience in an AASM-accredited sleep center

Experience Requirement : Independent performance of 50 overnight sleep studies Of the 50 overnight sleep studies, a minimum of 20 must include CPAP titration Performance of one Multiple Sleep Latency Test

RST Examination Fee: $250 To be offered on-site in Darien, IL Nov. 11, 2011

RST Equivalency for RPSGTs “Grandfathering” Documentation of continuing education activites (avg. 10 hrs/yr over a 3 year period) $25 fee

Should I Obtain the RST Credential? No requirement for RST credential to work in an AASM accredited lab Not recognized by CMS for reimbursement for performing testing on Medicare patients Not recognized in any state for PSG licensure or limited exemption from an existing respiratory care practice act

Looking Ahead The RPSGT credential will remain the gold standard in our field, and a source of well- earned pride for the 17,000 sleep technologists who carry the credential.