During the 2014 Annual Shore Conference the membership committee surveyed attendees about the NJSRC and AARC activities. We began the article with the statement “We want to be #1!” The article primarily centered on increasing our membership, which will remain a major committee goal for 2015 but the intent goes beyond recruitment. Along with the AARC we want to be your #1 resource for education, news and information, and advocacy. Let me briefly expand on these three goals.
Education
Through your facilities, many of you have opportunities to earn continuing education. But for nationally known speakers, multi-track lectures, and a large vendor exhibition it is the NJSRC that offers those opportunities. Our educational offerings do not stop there because education does not stop at continuing education. We all want the profession moving forward strong than ever and the AARC and NJSRC has committed to that cause. Beginning this year the AARC is committed to recognizing the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential as the minimum requirement for licensure and encourage the development of programs, accreditation standards, and credentialing of the Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT). More information will become available in the coming months regarding the APRT.
Just this January, California became the second state to require the RRT for licensure with several other states strongly considering it. This does not mean those with Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential will need to obtain the RRT but all new licensees would require the RRT credential. The NJSRC Board of Directors considered this a few years back and with the new commitment from the AARC it has been revived.
Credentialing has changed as well. This January the National Board for Respiratory Care implemented the Therapist Multiple Choice exam. This is a single CRT / RRT exam with two cut scores and testing on both entry and advance level knowledge. When the exam candidate passes the RRT threshold, they are eligible to take the Clinical Simulation exam. A similar change is on the horizon for the Certified Pulmonary Function and Registered Pulmonary Function Therapist exam.
News and Information
Today there are multiple outlets to receive news and information. Social media, online sources, email, and direct mail are just a few ways we are hit with so much detail about newsworthy events. Where do you turn for news about respiratory care, we want it to be us. This year you will see a big change in the communication you receive from us. The NJSRC maintains a Facebook page, Twitter account, website, and certainly Scope Newsletter. All wonderful methods of communication to meet your wishes.
When the NJSRC sends out communications, we know it is something important. We also want you to know it is important. So how do we best send you messages? This year we will commit to using all methods and you can choose. What will the message contain? You will receive a message about what we are planning or accomplished, sometimes looking for your support on advocacy in Trenton or Washington DC, and yes, you may get the message reminding you we are here. No one else will make this pledge but we are. And do not forget, anytime you need us we are here.
Advocacy
New Jersey has over 3,200 respiratory therapists licensed within the state. Of those, nearly 1,900 are AARC active members, about 60%. An impressive number, but not the #1 we want to achieve. How can we get there through advocacy? Recognizing your voice counts when heard in numbers.
The NJSRC has a team constantly monitoring legislative and regulatory issues in New Jersey and nationally. This is never an easy task. Members spend hour travelling to legislative meetings throughout the state. We have travelled to all corners of the state and Washington, DC.
As you are reading this article, a delegation will have returned from Washington lobbying for respiratory therapists inclusion in a Medicare bill. What is special about the bill? It is a bill that includes respiratory therapist but not initiated by us. Our inclusion reflects years of effort repeating the message we make a difference in patient care. And Washington listened!
Locally, we support advancing our practice by often updating the Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing Act and recommending and providing comment on licensing regulations proposed by the State Board of Respiratory Care. Today, the respiratory care profession is advancing quickly. Our laws and regulations need to reflect our full scope of knowledge and skill. Currently, we are working to have all earned continuing respiratory care education count toward renewal, expanding our scope, and establishing the registry exam as the licensure requirement. Very soon the State Board of Respiratory Care will publish revised sunset regulations which we will review and provide comment.
Why do we do all this?
As mentioned earlier, we want to be your #1 resource for education, news and information, and advocacy. And most important, because like You, We Care!
Email the membership committee with questions.
