NY finally has a Polysomnography "authorization" .

[somnonaut]

NY state has adopted the Exemption for the performance of Polysomnography under the Respiratory Therapist statute of its Office of the Professions. It has taken over 13 years , and started with the citation of St. Peter's hospital in Albany in 1998. For a history of Sleep in NYS visit:
http://www.newyorksleep.org
We had written legislation for our own license, but reality of economics and politics worked its mixed blending of compromise via the governance approach of a ticking timebomb mandate.
http://www.op.nysed.gov/news/home.html#poly

New Polysomnographic Technology Authorization Law Takes Effect
Chapter 262 of the Laws of 2012 established our 49th profession, Polysomnographic Technologists, more commonly known as Sleep Lab Techs. Polysomnographic Technologists play an integral role in patient care, including administering sleep tests and working with physicians to provide information needed for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The Board of Regents adopted regulations on an emergency basis implementing the provisions of this law at their July meeting (http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/July2012/712ppca1.pdf). These regulations outline the coursework and clinical experience required for registration as a licensure-qualifying polysomnographic technology program, define the practice of Polysomnographic Technology, and set forth the requirements for authorization. The regulations also establish grandparenting provisions to enable those who began practicing in the field prior to the new law and regulations to receive authorization to continue to practice if they meet specified requirements, including experience requirements. Individuals applying under these special provisions must meet the grandparenting requirements by February 3, 2014. (August 7, 2012)

[havok019]

Hmmm, interesting they are requiring an Associate's now which you won't get through the ASTEP modules either online or w/the Intro course.

[labman2]

Seems like my registered techs can NOW do oxygen titrations as well as DME set-ups.

I do wonder if the RST will be honored from the start as acceptable for professional certification

[somnonaut]

Not so sure about the DME. And I am more concerned with the board reserving the right to define what is a exam and what is a satisfactory grade. The NBRC could come out with some floosy exam and voila, we are all out of luck.

[labman2]

Not so sure about the DME. And I am more concerned with the board reserving the right to define what is a exam and what is a satisfactory grade. The NBRC could come out with some floosy exam and voila, we are all out of luck.

I am 'interpreting this from the language as DME set up and education


"(5) education of patients, family and the public concerning the procedures and treatments used during polysomnographic technology or concerning any equipment or procedure used for the treatment of any sleep disorder."

[somnonaut]

It say education only, not the actual setting of the pressure of the unit.

[labman2]

It say education only, not the actual setting of the pressure of the unit.

The DME can set it... Then i can deliver and "educate"😄

[Somnologist]

So what does the grandfathering entail. Is there actually a fork to fill out yet and a place to send it to?

[Somnologist]

Form not fork. It is not letting me edit my posts lol.

[somnonaut]

After multiple calls to our illustrious NYS government I find out that the State Register is where these rules have been published.
http://www.dos.ny.gov/info/register/201 ... /rules.pdf (starting on page 17) and on the second page regarding Polysomnographic techs is the paragraph (left column) that the Dept of Education has written (so don’t let anyone tell you that they did not know what the contact info was when they wrote the News release) on how to post public comments:

Data, views or arguments may be submitted to: Office of the Professions,
Office of the Deputy Commissioner, State Education Department, 89
Washington Avenue, 2M, Albany, NY 12234, (518) 474-1941, email:
opdepcom@mail.nysed.gov

The Office of the Professions says that the forms to apply will eventually be here: http://www.op.nysed.gov/pdffiles.htm

[Vix]

The question is, how many "licensure qualifying programs" do we have? I have not been able to find an official listing of this.

[somnonaut]

I assume they will be listed on the application form(s).

[somnonaut]

Also, the grandfathering provision remains in place UNTIL 4 qualified training programs are registered with the board.

(d) If at least four licensure qualifying programs in polysomnographic
technology have not been registered by the department by February 3,
2014, the applicant shall meet the requirements of subdivisions (a), (b),
and (c)(1) of this section prior to the date that a total of four such
programs have been registered by the department.

[somnonaut]

It also allows the taking of phone order, which has been of issue at some institutions.

(3) implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintenance
of patient's airway (which does not include endotracheal intubation), and
transcription and implementation of physician orders pertaining to the
practice of polysomnographic technology;

[somnonaut]

NY PSG Authorization application is posted and ready for submitting.
Yes, it will cost $600.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/pdffiles.htm#p