Administration of the Sleep Disorders Specialty Examination in the computer testing network is now available!
NBRC is excited to announce the launch of a new specialty examination for respiratory therapists performing sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention. We sought input from a variety of organizations representing professionals involved in sleep disorder testing and care to create a valuable credential that your employer, colleagues and patients will recognize and respect.
The new program was built on a collaborative effort with other organizations with a vested interest in protecting the public and improving care for patients who suffer from sleep disorders. Because of this effort, the programs have wide support from organizations such as:
- The American Association for Respiratory Care
- The American College of Chest Physicians
- The American Society of Anesthesiologists
- The American Thoracic Society
The Sleep Disorders Specialty Examination program is designed specifically for a respiratory therapist with an NBRC respiratory care credential and experience or education in the field of sleep medicine.
Eligible certificants have already demonstrated their minimal competence in some areas used when diagnosing and treating patients with sleep disorders; therefore, the examination focuses on competencies that are unique to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sleep disorders and will not include items about general respiratory care content. It is important to note that candidates for this examination should expect to find polygraphic tracings based on old and new recording guidelines in the examination.
Why should you earn the CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS credential? The answer is simple—the new specialty examination is unique to your daily tasks as a sleep disorder specialist. It goes above and beyond general activities so you can demonstrate your acquired skill level in an expanding specialty within the field of respiratory care.