Polysomnographic technologist
Encyclopedia
A polysomnographic technologist (formerly called a polysomnographic technician) performs overnight polysomnograms on those with suspected sleep disorders. In the United States and worldwide the process for becoming a polysomnography technician or technologist is primarily either on-the-job or certificate based. There are Associate level programs offered by for-profit school
s that award a degree in Polysomnography Technology in the United States, though not necessary to attain employment with the same title. After an education program or adequate on-the-job training is complete the student is eligible for credentialing by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
, a non-profit credentialing agency based in the United States but serving polysomnographers worldwide. The BRPT maintains credentialing for over 35 countries internationally including Canada
and the United States
as well as over 17,000 individuals working in the industry.
.
(NBRC) developed the Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential in 2007. The NBRC initiated this credential, in spite of the fact that the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential was widely accepted in the field of sleep medicine
. This initially caused conflict amongst various organizations in the sleep field. To earn the SDS credential, the applicant must first be a Certified Respiratory Therapist
(CRT
) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist
(RRT
).
The CRT applicant must have six months experience in sleep studies and the RRT applicant must have three months in sleep studies. Both the CRT and RRT applicants must pass an examination. The holder of the SDS credential then appends this abbreviation to his CRT or RRT credential, thus becoming a CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS.
(BRPT) in the US. The RPSGT credential certifies its holder is regarded by the BRPT as fully competent to work in the field of sleep studies. Most RPSGTs conduct sleep studies on patients. Some RPSGTs score sleep studies. Basically scoring a study means summarizing it, so it can be used by others involved in the sleep medicine field.
The RPSGT candidate may qualify for the credentialing examination by a variety of paths. Depending on the qualifying path taken, one must work for a minimum of six to eighteen months full-time in polysomnography to be eligible for the examination. As of July 2011 the BRPT listed 18,262 holders of the RPSGT credential. The credential is valid for five years. To renew it, the holder must earn 50 continuing education credits (CECs) or retake the credentialing exam. Two major sources in the US for obtaining CECs are the American Association of Sleep Technologists
(AAST) and the American Association for Respiratory Care
(AARC).
and have taken the AASM A-STEP Self-Learning Modules. The AASM is the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
.
To maintain the CPSGT, the holder must earn ten continuing education credits (CECs) per year. Major sources for obtaining CECs are the American Association of Sleep Technologists
(AAST) and the American Association for Respiratory Care
(AARC). The BRPT lists 221 persons as holders of the CPSGT.
For-Profit School
For-profit education refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit-seeking businesses....
s that award a degree in Polysomnography Technology in the United States, though not necessary to attain employment with the same title. After an education program or adequate on-the-job training is complete the student is eligible for credentialing by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists maintains credentialing for polysomnographic technologists. It offers two credentials, the registered and certified polysomnographic technologist credentials . The BRPT is located at: 8400 Westport Drive, 2nd Floor, McLean, Virginia 22102...
, a non-profit credentialing agency based in the United States but serving polysomnographers worldwide. The BRPT maintains credentialing for over 35 countries internationally including Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well as over 17,000 individuals working in the industry.
Registered Sleep Technologist
Registered sleep technologists (RST) are sleep specialists who have been granted the certification by the American Board of Sleep MedicineAmerican Board of Sleep Medicine
The American Board of Sleep Medicine says in its website, "The [ABSM] is an independent, nonprofit organization whose certifications are recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of competence for sleep medicine physicians, PhDs, behavioral sleep medicine specialists...
.
Registered Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Disorders Specialist
The National Board for Respiratory CareNational Board for Respiratory Care
The National Board for Respiratory Care Inc. is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 with the purpose of awarding and maintaining credentialing for Respiratory therapists in the United States....
(NBRC) developed the Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential in 2007. The NBRC initiated this credential, in spite of the fact that the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) credential was widely accepted in the field of sleep medicine
Sleep medicine
Sleep medicine is a medical specialty or subspecialty devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of sleep disturbances and disorders. From the middle of the 20th century, research has provided increasing knowledge and answered many questions about sleep-wake functioning. The rapidly evolving field has...
. This initially caused conflict amongst various organizations in the sleep field. To earn the SDS credential, the applicant must first be a Certified Respiratory Therapist
Certified Respiratory Therapist
A Certified Respiratory Therapist , formerly Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician , is a therapist who has graduated from a respiratory therapy program at a university or college and has passed a national certification exam...
(CRT
CRT
-Medicine:* Capillary refill time, the rate at with blood refills empty capillaries* Cognitive Retention Therapy, a dementia treatment* Cardiac resynchronization therapy, a treatment for heart failure** CRT-D, an implanted cardiac resynchronization device...
) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist
Registered Respiratory Therapist
A Registered Respiratory Therapist is a cardiopulmonary therapist and specialist who is required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients...
(RRT
RRT
RRT or Rrt may refer to:* Registered Respiratory Therapist* Radio Reconnaissance Platoon* Rapidly-exploring random tree* Renal replacement therapy* Railroad Tycoon...
).
The CRT applicant must have six months experience in sleep studies and the RRT applicant must have three months in sleep studies. Both the CRT and RRT applicants must pass an examination. The holder of the SDS credential then appends this abbreviation to his CRT or RRT credential, thus becoming a CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS.
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) is a certification awarded by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic TechnologistsBoard of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists
The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists maintains credentialing for polysomnographic technologists. It offers two credentials, the registered and certified polysomnographic technologist credentials . The BRPT is located at: 8400 Westport Drive, 2nd Floor, McLean, Virginia 22102...
(BRPT) in the US. The RPSGT credential certifies its holder is regarded by the BRPT as fully competent to work in the field of sleep studies. Most RPSGTs conduct sleep studies on patients. Some RPSGTs score sleep studies. Basically scoring a study means summarizing it, so it can be used by others involved in the sleep medicine field.
The RPSGT candidate may qualify for the credentialing examination by a variety of paths. Depending on the qualifying path taken, one must work for a minimum of six to eighteen months full-time in polysomnography to be eligible for the examination. As of July 2011 the BRPT listed 18,262 holders of the RPSGT credential. The credential is valid for five years. To renew it, the holder must earn 50 continuing education credits (CECs) or retake the credentialing exam. Two major sources in the US for obtaining CECs are the American Association of Sleep Technologists
American Association of Sleep Technologists
The American Association of Sleep Technologists is an organization that promotes the interests of sleep technologists. It promotes standardized education for sleep technicians, sleep technologists and sleep center managers. It spends resources defending the profession of sleep technology from...
(AAST) and the American Association for Respiratory Care
American Association for Respiratory Care
The American Association for Respiratory Care is a non profit organization and is currently the only professional organization supporting Respiratory Care in the United States. In addition to attempting to help lobby for beneficial legislation nationally and locally, the AARC is trying to promote...
(AARC).
Certified Polysomnographic Technologist
In the US, certification is awarded by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). The CPSGT is considered a transitional certification. It is good for only three years. By that time the CPSGT holder must earn the RPSGT certification, as the CPSGT cannot be renewed. To become a CPSGT one must pass an examination. To be eligible for the exam, one must have worked full-time for three months in polysomnographyPolysomnography
Polysomnography , also known as a sleep study, is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep and as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. The test result is called a polysomnogram, also abbreviated PSG...
and have taken the AASM A-STEP Self-Learning Modules. The AASM is the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a United States professional society for the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. It was established in 1975. The AASM is the only professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine...
.
To maintain the CPSGT, the holder must earn ten continuing education credits (CECs) per year. Major sources for obtaining CECs are the American Association of Sleep Technologists
American Association of Sleep Technologists
The American Association of Sleep Technologists is an organization that promotes the interests of sleep technologists. It promotes standardized education for sleep technicians, sleep technologists and sleep center managers. It spends resources defending the profession of sleep technology from...
(AAST) and the American Association for Respiratory Care
American Association for Respiratory Care
The American Association for Respiratory Care is a non profit organization and is currently the only professional organization supporting Respiratory Care in the United States. In addition to attempting to help lobby for beneficial legislation nationally and locally, the AARC is trying to promote...
(AARC). The BRPT lists 221 persons as holders of the CPSGT.
See also
- Respiratory therapyRespiratory therapyRespiratory therapy is a healthcare profession in which specialists work with patients suffering from either acute or chronic respiratory problems. These specialists are termed Respiratory Therapists in most places internationally but may also be referred to as Respiratory Scientists or...
- Board of Registered Polysomnographic TechnologistsBoard of Registered Polysomnographic TechnologistsThe Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists maintains credentialing for polysomnographic technologists. It offers two credentials, the registered and certified polysomnographic technologist credentials . The BRPT is located at: 8400 Westport Drive, 2nd Floor, McLean, Virginia 22102...
- American Academy of Sleep MedicineAmerican Academy of Sleep MedicineThe American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a United States professional society for the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. It was established in 1975. The AASM is the only professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine...
- National Board for Respiratory CareNational Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory Care Inc. is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 with the purpose of awarding and maintaining credentialing for Respiratory therapists in the United States....
- American Association for Respiratory CareAmerican Association for Respiratory CareThe American Association for Respiratory Care is a non profit organization and is currently the only professional organization supporting Respiratory Care in the United States. In addition to attempting to help lobby for beneficial legislation nationally and locally, the AARC is trying to promote...