In Their Words – BRPT Credential Holders Share Their Stories
As BRPT celebrates its 45th anniversary, we reached out to credential holders who’ve held and retained a BRPT credential for a number of years. Many graciously offered to share their experiences, highlights, career paths and advice with us.
Spotlight on: Wayne Nelson B.Sc., RRT, RPSGT, CCSH, R. EEG T., who is a Respiratory Therapist/Polysonographer/EEG Technologist in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
“I’ve been in sleep from day one of my professional career. My first job was for a Respiratory Therapist but this immediately translated into the additional role of a Sleep Technologist. I was fortunate to be hired by my hometown hospital and now have 27 years of service. I was told it was my sleep training that gave me an advantage over all the other candidates for the position as it is not uncommon for respiratory services and sleep programs to be linked together. I have since expanded my role to include Clinical Sleep Specialist and EEG Technologist and it’s this multidisciplinary background that enables me to have a greater understanding of the profession.
“By working in a hospital environment on a daily basis, I’m often part of a team of diverse health professionals who participate collaboratively and interdependently for the care of patients. As a multidisciplinary team member, having the different credentials I currently hold, makes me proud and garners respect from my colleagues and patients. Also, as one of the first sleep health specialists in Canada to obtain my CCSH, I’ve been able to translate this certification into opportunities that would otherwise not have been possible. It has allowed me to be considered a subject matter expert (SME) for the BRPT’s Job Task Analysis process and also a member of the Exam Development Committee. Most recently, it has provided recognition for having the expertise necessary to facilitate sleep clinic visits during the current challenges of a sleep physician shortage. I also see myself retaining my sleep credentials long after I retire, as there will always be options to maintain an extra stream of income through outsource scoring or casual employment, even if retirement leads me to another location where experienced techs are always in demand.
“For me, the best part of being a sleep health professional is when I’m able to use more than one specialization to manage complex treatment plans in order to provide outcomes that optimize patient care.
“For those interested in getting into sleep, the most helpful advice I can share is to keep learning and educate yourself to the highest standards. Whether you enter the profession with another health credential, have formal education in sleep medicine, or are just beginning to acquire new competencies and skills through on-the-job training, you will set yourself up for success and have a much more rewarding career if you seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and/or scope of practice. There are countless opportunities for online courses that can lead to other certifications. Volunteering with professional organizations is another great way to work alongside your peers. Attending conferences and events allow you to stay connected and up-to-date within the profession. The sleep community is such a passionate group of professionals and it should always be seen as a privilege to be on this journey together.”