Maintaining the Right Skills in A Changing Field

Sandi Lemmon, RPSGT Registered Polysomnography Technologist, Lead EEG Technologist, Dixie

Tegional Sleep Disorders Center; St. George, Utah

Cindy Buys, RPSGT Supervisor, Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, Practice Liaison,

Dixie Regional Sleep Disorders Center; St. George, Utah

Nikkie Benson, RPSGT, RST Registered Sleep Technologist, Intermountain Sleep Disorder Center;

Riverton, Utah

Parker Watkins, RPSGT Registered Polysomnographic Technologist - Lead Tech at Dixie Regional

Sleep Disorders Center; St. George, Utah

Objectives: • Identify ways to use marketing in the field of sleep medicine • Indicate how to increase referrals to the sleep center • Discuss ways to educate community on sleep disorders • Identify another avenue for working in the field of sleep medicine

using their own knowledge • Discuss the resources provided to maintain credentials and skills in a

changing field • Identify that there are free or inexpensive ways to get CECs • Discuss and clearly delineate the pathway to CSE and

CCSH credentialing • Explain the benefits of continuing education and additional

credientials

MAINTAINING THE RIGHT SKILLS IN A CHANGING FIELDMarketing and Educating the Community About Sleep Disorders.

PROVIDER TARGETED MARKETING AND EDUCATION MATERIALS

HEALTH FAIRS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION MATERIALS

DATELINE: SLEEPY DRIVER

MAINTAINING THE RIGHT SKILLS IN A CHANGING

FIELDObtaining and Maintaining Credentials

CERTIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS OFFERED BY THE BOARD OF REGISTERED

POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGISTS• Certified Polysomnographic Technologist (CPSGT)

• Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

• Registered Sleep Technologist (RST)

• Clinical Sleep Educator (CSE)

• Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH)

CERTIFIED POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGIST (CPSGT)

• Temporary certificate created by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic

Technologists in 2012 designed as a stepping stone for techs to earn the RPSGT.

• 3 Eligibility Pathways:

• Clinical Experience – 3 months clinical experience and completed STAR modules.

• CAAHEP/CoARC Student – for students within 2 months of graduation.

• No programs in Utah

• Focused Training - Both a STAR-designated Self-Study education program AND a STAR-

designated Focused 2 program, OR a STAR-Designated Focused education program

within a 3-year period prior to the exam.

REGISTERED POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGIST (RPSGT)

• The gold standard credential for sleep techs. Recognized and respected for decades.

• 6 Eligibility Pathways:

• Clinical Experience – 1,638 hours experience and completion of the STAR modules.

• Healthcare Credential – 546 hours experience and have another healthcare credential.

• CAAHEP/CoARC Student – For graduates of an accredited program. (None in Utah)

• Focused Training – 819 hours experience and completed STAR-designated Focused education, or a combination of Self-Study and Focused 2 education.

• International Option – International candidates with 546 hours of experience.

• Expired RPSGT Credential – For individuals who have possessed an active RPSGT credential within the past 5 years that is currently at least 1 year expired. You must apply and pass the examination within 1-5 years of your credential expiration date.

STAR – DESIGNATED SELF-STUDY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

• Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine Online Foundation of Sleep

Technology

• AASM A-STEP Self-Study Modules

• American Sleep and Breathing Academy BRPT Exam Modules

• Sleep Multimedia Online Modules

• Sleep Health Management Resources, Inc.

* Links to programs can be found at http://www.brpt.org/default.asp?contentID=34#Pathway2

FOCUSED EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Focused Programs• London Health Sciences Centre PSG

Program

• Madison Area Technical College PSG Program

• Southeast Technical Institute ENDT Program

• Toronto Sleep Institute PSG Program

• University of Western Australia PSG Program

• Thompson Rivers University PSG Program

• River Valley Community College

• Delaware Technical and Community College

• Hudson Valley Community College

• Texas School of Sleep Medicine & Technology

• Rhodes State College

• Sleep Medicine Associates

• Polytech Adult Education

• Loma Linda University

Focused 2 Program• AASM A-STEP Introductory Course

• Sleep Health Management Resources

• Sound Sleep Solutions

• St. Joseph/ St. Vincent School of Sleep Disorder Center and PolysomnographicTechnology

• Mid-Atlantic School of Sleep Medicine

* Links to programs can be found at http://www.brpt.org/default.asp?contentID=34#Pathway2

LIST OF APPROVED CREDENTIALS• Nursing - (RN, LPN)

• Respiratory Care - (RRT, CRT)

• Electroneurodiagnostic - (R. EEG T., R. EP T., CNIM)

• Physician's Assistant - (PA)

• PhD. in a health-related field

• Medical Doctor - (MD)

• Doctor of Osteopathy - (DO)

• Doctor of Chiropractic - (DC)

• Paramedic - (EMT-P)

• Physical Therapist (PT)

• Occupational Therapist (OT)

• Doctor of Dental Surgery - (DDS)

• Radiology - (RT, RT (R), RT (CT), RT (BD), RT (N))

• Certified Hyperbaric Technologist - (CHT)

• Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist - (CNMT)

• Certified Cardiographic Technician - (CCT)

• Doctor of Public Health – (DrPH)

• Registered Cardiac Sonographer -- (RCS)

• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer – (RDCS)

• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist – (RCIS)

• Doctor of Audiology – (Au. D.)

• Certified Athletic Trainer – (AT)

• Medical Technologist – (MT)

• Doctor of Podiatry – (DPM)

• Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician - (CRAT)

• Clinical Neurophysiologist - (CNP)

• Registered Vascular Technologist - (RVT)

AMERICAN BOARD OF SLEEP MEDICINEREGISTERED SLEEP TECHNOLOGIST

• Offered by the ABSM in 2011 as an alternative to the RPSGT.

• 4 Eligibility Pathways:

• Graduate from a CAAHEP or COARC program.

• A-STEP modules and on the job training at an AASM accredited sleep center.

• Perform 50 studies with 20 being titrations and 1 MSLT.

• Must be done in a 6 month to 3 year period.

• Score 85% or better on the ABSM Sleep Scoring Proficiency Exam or reach the minimum standard for 2 months of the inter-scorer reliability program of your accredited center.

• Current allied healthcare credential with less rigorous on the job training.

• Hold the RPSGT credential.

MAINTAINING YOUR CREDENTIALS

• CPSGT is valid for 3 years and cannot be renewed however, holders must

submit 10 CEC’s each year.

• RPSGT is valid for 5 years and requires 50 CEC’s during that time.

• RST is valid for 5 years and requires 50 CEC’s during that period.

WHERE DO I GO TO GET CREDITS?GOING TO MEETINGS

• Annual SLEEP meeting. (www.sleepmeeting.org)

• Largest gathering in the U.S.

• Can be cost prohibitive between registration fee’s, travel and lodging.

• AAST Annual Meeting (www.aastweb.org)

• BRPT Symposium (http://www.brpt.org/)

• Local meetings such as this meeting (www.utahsleepsociety.com)

• AARC Meetings (http://www.aarc.org/education/live-courses/aarc-meetings/)

• ACNS Meeting (https://www.acns.org/meetings/annual-meeting-and-courses/2013/cme-information)

CREATING YOUR OWN CMEOPPORTUNITIES

• BRPT Continuing Sleep Technology Education Program (CSTE)

• http://www.brpt.org/default.asp?contentID=167

• AAST CEC Program

• http://www.aastweb.org/CECProgram/Participate.aspx

• Invite sales reps from device manufacturers to do presentations that are

eligible for credits.

BRPT CSTE AND AAST CEC’S

BRPT CSTE PROGRAM• 1-2 day seminars ($100)

• 1-2 hour lecture/in-service/conference• Can be done once ($50), each month ($180) or each

week ($250).

• Webinars 1-2 hours• Can be done once ($50), each month ($180) or each

week ($250).

• Computer based learning (requires post test)• Single ($50), series ($100), journal article ($50),

textbook ($50).

AAST CEC PROGRAM• Single Lecture/Workshop 1-2 hours ($50)

• Live Webinar 1-2 hours or pre-recorded learning activities ($50)

• Annual single lecture/workshop (12 monthly 1-2 hour programs) ($540)

• Educational programs 2+ hours a program ($125)

WEBSITE’S FOR CEC’S

• AAST membership allows you to receive up to 32 credit’s per year.

• Free CEC’s provided by industry partners

• ResMed Academy Online http://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-

professional/research-and-education/courses/e-learning-academy.html

• Phillips Respironics http://www.learningconnection.philips.com/en/sleep-and-

respiratory-care-education

• Talk with reps from other manufacturers to see what other resources they have.

• As always googling free sleep medicine CME/CEC/CEU will yield a lot of

results.

Maintaining the right skills in a changing field

What there is to know about the Clinical Sleep Educator certificate and the Certification in Clinical Sleep Health credential (CCSH)

Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate

• The Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate has a evolved from a conference previously offered by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) entitled “Becoming a Sleep Educator”. 

• OSA and other sleep disorders are chronic in nature and require ongoing care from health professionals who may benefit from specialized education in sleep.

• As the need grew, the ACCP collaborated with the BRPT and eventually transferred management of the program to them and is now known as the Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate Program.

• The Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate is designed to provide additional education and training to non physician healthcare professionals who help to manage chronic sleep disorders. 

• From the BRPT: The Clinical Sleep Educator…• Has knowledge of diagnoses and management of sleep disorders, with a focus on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

• Understands communication techniques for teaching and the principles of learning to enhance education for patients, families and the community.

• Understands what to look for and how to analyze the results of various tests and tools used to diagnose, evaluate and monitor sleep disorders.

• Knows how to assess patient compliance and comfort with treatment to improve clinical outcomes.

• Knows when and how to communicate effectively with physicians and other health care professionals to report new or continued symptoms, persistent treatment issues, or barriers to optimal care and management.

• Serves as a resource to the community and other health care providers by promoting education on sleep disorders, treatment, follow‐up and outcomes, as well as good sleep hygiene.

• The Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate is not a credential and does not give you any additional initials to put after your name.

• The Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate does allow you to be  eligible to sit for the Certification of Clinical Sleep Health exam without a bachelor or associates degree. This is a temporary pathway that will only be available until June 30, 2016.

• The Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate requires you to participate in a training course and pass an assessment at the end.

• Licensed/certified healthcare professionals are eligible to earn the certificate. The approved healthcare credentials are: RPSGT, RRT, CRT, R.EEG.T, CLTM, CHES, RN, LPN, MSN, NP, MD, DO, PA, DDS, and PhD in health, counseling, or science. Other healthcare professionals who are not licensed or certified may attend the course but cannot obtain the certificate. 

• There are 10 Online Modules • Scope of Practice and the Role of the Clinical Sleep Educator • Sleep Apnea: It's worse than you thought! • Sleep Reports: How and what to tell your patients • Communication Techniques for Patients, Families, and Healthcare Providers • Healthcare Policy Change and Engagement: Reimbursement opportunities and challenges • Putting it all Together: Case presentations • Non‐CPAP Treatment of OSA: What else is there? • So CPAP doesn't work • A Day in the Life of a Clinical Sleep Educator • Panel Discussion ‐ Q&A  

• The training course is offered online through the BRPT. It costs $300 and once purchased you have 6 weeks to complete it and take the test. When you pass the test you will earn 7.5 CEC’s and your Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate.

Certification in Clinical Sleep Health

• The CCSH credential is designed to “assess the professional competence of healthcare providers and educators 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.” 1

• The exam covers 4 specific areas of knowledge• Sleep over the lifespan (20%)• Clinical evaluation and management (40%)• Patient and family communication and education (30%)• Program maintenance and administration (10%)

• There are 3 eligibility pathways for the CCSH exam• Pathway 1, Clinical Experience

• Candidates must have 1000 hours of experience in clinical sleep health that includes patient education, counseling, management and coordination of patient care and outcomes.

• A Bachelors degree or above• Current BLS certification for healthcare workers

• Pathway 2, Healthcare Credential• Candidates must have a current credential or license, some of which include RPSGT, RRT, CRT, REEGT, CLTM, CHES, RN, LPN, MSN, NP, MD, DO, PA, DDS, PhD in health, counseling or science.

• An Associates degree or above• Current BLS certification for healthcare workers

• Pathway 3, Temporary pathway, CSE Certificate Only available through June 30, 2016• Candidates must have a current credential or license, some of which include RPSGT, RRT, CRT, REEGT, CLTM, CHES, RN, LPN, MSN, NP, MD, DO, PA, DDS, PhD in health, counseling or science.

• A BRPT issued Clinical Sleep Educator Certificate• Current BLS certification for healthcare workers

• The CCSH exam is offered on demand through the Pearson Vuetesting centers once your application has been approved.

• The cost for the exam is as follows:• $450, Pathways 1 and 2• $300, Pathway 3, Temporary CSE pathway

• The BRPT has a list of study materials on their website; they also offer a study guide for $44.95 and a practice test for $55.00

• You must recertify every 5 years once you have your CCSH credential

Why earn a CSE Certificate or CCSH Credential?

• Shows commitment to your career• Opens the door for other opportunities• Prepares you for the future• Helps improve your communication skills• Gives you a broader perspective of how sleep disorders can impact many aspects of a patients life

• Knowledge is power, the more you know the more you can do!