Ashwin Lewis
Sleep studies are often performed by respiratory therapists, who are required to have a licence to practice. Licensure is granted to those who have completed a polysomnographic program of no less than one year or have a minimum of six months of experience as a trainee. Respiratory therapists who perform sleep studies must also have completed and documented the six required competencies and completed an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course. To obtain a licence, professionals must also join their local and state sleep organisations, set up educational programs, and stay up to date with pending legislation in respiratory care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Licensure needed | Yes |
| Who needs it | Sleep professionals, respiratory therapists |
| Qualifications | RPSGT, CRT, RRT |
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What You'll Learn
Polysomnography
To become an RPSGT, one must complete a polysomnographic program of no less than one year or have a minimum of six months of experience as a trainee. They must also complete and document the six required competencies and complete an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course. Trainees must be high school graduates with six months of experience in direct patient care, one year of postsecondary high school education, or be enrolled in an accredited polysomnographic program.
The Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination objectively measures the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists who perform sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. It focuses on competencies unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Respiratory therapists who have earned the CRT or RRT credentials and have experience or education in sleep medicine are eligible for the SDS Examination.
The method of choice for licensure, as expressed by the BRPT, is to amend the state's current respiratory care practice acts to exempt polysomnography under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. This would allow sleep practitioners to be exempt from licensure, but it raises important questions about regulation, enforcement, and monitoring of the profession.
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Respiratory therapists and sleep disorders
Licensure is needed for sleep studies, but it is not always necessary for respiratory therapists to obtain this. Respiratory therapists can perform sleep studies if they have the CRT or RRT credentials. The CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentials are earned through the Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination. This exam objectively measures the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists who perform sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. It focuses on competencies that are unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
The SDS Examination is available for respiratory care professionals who have proven their dedication to excellence by earning the CRT or RRT credentials and have experience or education in the field of sleep medicine. The content of this specialty examination concentrates on sleep-focused testing and intervention conducted by respiratory therapists and requires respiratory therapy education for eligibility.
The RPSGT (Registered Polysomnographic Technologist) is the gold standard for those performing and supervising sleep studies. These individuals are qualified to meet the standards for safe and effective practice and are competent in areas that overlap with the respiratory scope of practice. However, RPSGTs may not represent themselves as respiratory care practitioners. Technicians must complete a polysomnographic program of no less than 1 year or have a minimum of 6 months of experience as a trainee, and have completed and documented the six required competencies and completed an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course.
To become licensed to perform sleep studies, professionals must organize, join their local and state sleep organizations, set up educational programs, and stay abreast of pending legislation in respiratory care, electroneurodiagnostics, and nursing. Practitioners must also band together in their states to form the numbers that are needed for licensure.
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Licensure and regulation
The Respiratory Care Practice Acts, as suggested by the BRPT, exempt polysomnography under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. This means that sleep practitioners are not required to hold a respiratory care practitioner license. However, it is important to note that RPSGTs (Registered Polysomnographic Sleep Technologists) are qualified individuals who have completed a polysomnographic program or have relevant experience. They are competent in areas that overlap with the respiratory scope of practice but cannot represent themselves as respiratory care practitioners.
To ensure proficiency and competency, sleep professionals must stay up-to-date with pending legislation in respiratory care and related fields. They should also join local and state sleep organizations and participate in educational programs. Additionally, respiratory therapists who perform sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention can pursue specialty examinations, such as the Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
The SDS Examination measures the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists specifically in the field of sleep medicine. It focuses on competencies unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. By earning the CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS credential, respiratory therapists signal their specialised skills and dedication to excellence in this field.
In summary, while respiratory licensure is not specifically required for sleep studies, professionals in this field must adhere to regulations and maintain proficiency. They can achieve this through ongoing education, participation in relevant organisations, and specialty examinations that demonstrate their expertise in sleep medicine.
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Education and training
Sleep professionals must have a high level of education and training to perform sleep studies. The RPSGT is the gold standard for those performing and supervising sleep studies. RPSGTs are qualified to meet the standards for safe and effective practice and are competent in areas that overlap with the respiratory scope of practice. However, they are not respiratory care practitioners. RPSGTs must complete a polysomnographic program of at least one year or have at least six months of experience as a trainee. They must also complete and document six required competencies and an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course.
Trainees must be high school graduates with six months of experience in direct patient care, one year of postsecondary high school education, or be enrolled in an accredited polysomnographic program. The Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination objectively measures the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists who perform sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. It focuses on competencies unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
The Specialty Examination for Respiratory Therapists Performing Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention is for respiratory therapists who have already earned CRT or RRT credentials. The content of this specialty examination concentrates on sleep-focused testing and intervention conducted by respiratory therapists and requires respiratory therapy education for eligibility. The SDS Examination is available for respiratory care professionals who have earned the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and have experience or education in the field of sleep medicine.
To become licensed, sleep professionals must organise, join their local and state sleep organisations, set up educational programs, and stay up to date with pending legislation in respiratory care, electroneurodiagnostics, and nursing. They must also band together in their states to form the numbers needed for licensure.
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Competencies and qualifications
Respiratory licensure is not needed for sleep studies, but it is recommended that sleep professionals are qualified to meet the standards for safe and effective practice.
The RPSGT is the gold standard for those performing and supervising sleep studies. RPSGTs are qualified to meet the standards for safe and effective practice and are competent in the areas that overlap with the respiratory scope of practice. However, they may not represent themselves as respiratory care practitioners. To become an RPSGT, technicians must complete a polysomnographic program of no less than one year or have a minimum of six months of experience as a trainee. They must also complete and document the six required competencies and complete an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course. Trainees must be high school graduates with six months of experience in direct patient care, or have one year of postsecondary high school education, or be enrolled in an accredited polysomnographic program.
The Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination objectively measures the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists who perform sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. It focuses on competencies that are unique to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. The SDS Examination is available for respiratory care professionals who have earned the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and have experience or education in the field of sleep medicine.
The Specialty Examination for Respiratory Therapists Performing Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention is for respiratory therapists who have already earned the CRT or RRT credentials. The content of this specialty examination concentrates on sleep-focused testing and intervention conducted by respiratory therapists and requires respiratory therapy education for eligibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need to be licensed to perform sleep studies. The RPSGT is the gold standard for those performing and supervising sleep studies.
RPSGT stands for Registered Polysomnographic Sleep Technologist.
You must have completed a polysomnographic program of no less than 1 year or have a minimum of 6 months of experience as a trainee, and have completed and documented the six required competencies and completed an approved positive airway pressure (PAP) course.
You must have earned the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and have experience or education in the field of sleep medicine.
