We, along with other societies, must lobby state legislatures to obtain licensure. Without the ability to practice, the efforts of the CoARC, NBRC, and AARC would all be in vain. This will be the most difficult part to accomplish, as obstacles and resistance may arise from other organizations.
“Align with other professions to give us more clout”
Respiratory care has just begun the process of eliminating the CRT credential, making the RRT entry level. More needs to be done to develop true bachelor’s degree programs in respiratory care if our profession is to remain current and ensure alignment with other allied health professions. We as a professional group need to be more visible to the public.
“A definitive limit to the number of ventilated patients”
The problem is the lack of evidence to support a patient to therapist ratio. A study out of Johns Hopkins University published in 2013 noted “a multi-component intervention, including an increase in RT/patient ratio, improved RT orientation, and the establishment of a core staffing model was associated with increased respiratory resource utilization.”
“We need some new blood, same old people.”
The board DOES need “new blood”… Get involved, get your fellow RTs involved, nominate, and most importantly…VOTE. You have a voice and the power to change the “status quo”….Use it!!
