APT Practice Parameter for Standard Polysomnography APT ...

Publication of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists • 2006, Volume 15, Number 4 • www.aptweb.orgQuestions About Recertification?Part one of a two-part series on RPSGTs and recertificationQ. Why did the BRPT change the policy to require recertificationevery 5 years?A. The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)is a credentialing body and as such owes a duty to the public as well asto RPSGTs. To ensure patient safety it is important for us to make everyattempt to assure that RPSGTs are properly trained and qualified. Astime goes on, every medical profession expands and adapts to new technologyand science and the field of sleep technology is no exception.We are also helping RPSGTs when we protect and promote the credential.State (and in some cases Federal) regulatory decision-makersincreasingly look to validated credentials in making decisions regardingthe practice of many allied health professions including sleep technology.The BRPT has an obligation to protect, promote and defend the RPSGTcredential and strengthen its value.Today, an allied health field such as polysomnography must providesome credible measure of continued competency which is documentedin order to sustain its value. Ultimately, a rigorous exam and a strongrecertification program will benefit the profession of polysomnographyand will help ensure that the RPSGT is the credential of choice for technologistsperforming sleep studies.Q. I’m a “grandfathered” RPSGT and someone on my staff isunder the 10-year recertification plan. Do the new recertification policiesaffect us?A. Yes! All RPSGTs must now certify every 5 years in order to retainthe use of their credential including those who were previously “grandfathered”or those who were under the 10-year recertification policy.Unless you already voluntarily “switched-early,” your 5-year recertificationperiod is effective January 1, 2007. (If you wrote to BRPT in the pastfew months requesting an earlyswitch,then your 5-year periodbegins from the date yourequested the switch.)Q. Where can I find a listof approved courses that offercontinuing education hours?A. At the BRPT web site youmay click on the Recertificationand Continuing Education buttonand then click on ContinuingEducation. A link is provided tothe APT web site where coursesapproved by the APT are listed.In addition, the BRPT isworking with other organizationsto expand the courses listedand is maintaining a list onthe web site of known creditgrantingorganizations as wellas courses reviewed for applicabilityto the recertificationhours. Most important toRequired for RPSGTRecertification = 50 continuingeducation hours every 5 yearsBRPT recommends earning 10continuing education hours peryear to meet your total requirementof 50 continuing educationhours required in 5 years.Note: You must earn a minimumof 5 per year, but yourtotal at the end of your 5-yearrecertification period still musttotal 50. (BRPT is allowing youto earn less than 10 someyears in order to accommodatethose who have a year or twowhen circumstances such as illness,family matters, or maternityleave, make it difficult toearn 10 in any particular year.remember — as long as your hours are earned from activities approvedby a credit-granting organization AND the hours are directly related tothe duties of a sleep technologist, those hours would likely be acceptablefor recertification.Q. I live in a remote area. Are there ways for me to earn hourswithout attending a sleep conference?A. Yes. For example, the APT offers hours forreading the A2Zzz Magazine by signing up on theirsite so you can get an assessment tool for eachedition. Fees for those who aren’t members of APTmay apply. The link to their page iswww.aptweb.org/CECProgramCalendar.asp. Otherways of earning hours include in-service or casestudy training programs and online courses. If yourinstitution already holds this kind of session,encourage administration to pursue obtaining creditsfrom a credit-granting organization for thesemeetings. BRPT’s Education Advisory Committee isworking with other organizations to ensure theexpansion of these options as well. Check thewww.brpt.org website for updated listings.Q. Does it matter how many continuing educationhours I obtain each year?34A. Yes! While BRPT recommends that you earn10 each year during your 5-year recertificationperiod — thereby accumulating 50 total, be➟