If you’ve just gotten out of RT school, you no doubt have your sights set on earning your CRT and/or RRT credentials. If you’ve been in the profession for a few years, though, you might be considering a specialty credential that matches up with your area of expertise — or an area of expertise you’d like to get into.
Are these additional credentials worth the time, effort, and let’s face it, money you’ll have to invest in them? AARC members weigh in on the five most common specialty credentials in respiratory care: the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS), Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS), and the Asthma Educator-Certified (AE-C) –
Who: Jeff Haynes, RRT, RPFT
What: Clinical Coordinator, Respiratory Therapy and the PFT Laboratory
Where: St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH
During my training as a technologist I relied heavily on textbooks by Ruppel and Wanger and became intrigued by their RPFT credential. All the top people in the field were RPFTs. It became clear to me that attaining the RPFT credential would allow me to distinguish myself as an advanced technologist, give me greater influence with my medical director, and lead to professional opportunities.
Obtaining my RPFT early in my career was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Firstly, I didn’t want to just pass the test, I wanted to get as close to a perfect score as I could. I learned so much about pulmonary function testing by studying for the exam that it really taught me that I needed to learn even more, and I still harbor that drive and commitment today.
The pride I took in my RPFT credential gave me the confidence to start submitting case reports and original research to science journals, and today I’m a member of the Respiratory Care editorial board. I’m still blown away by all the wonderful opportunities I’ve been given by the AARC and NBRC, and it all started on the day I decided to move my career to an advanced level and become an RPFT.
Who: Peter Allen, BSRC, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RSPGT
What: Clinical Coordinator Sleep Disorders Centers
Where: Riddle Hospital and Exton Main Line Health System, Radnor, PA
Hospital based sleep disorders centers in the United States are dominated by pulmonary physicians and respiratory department directors. So when the NBRC offered the SDS, I jumped at the chance to earn the credential.
Respiratory care showed its commitment to sleep disorder medicine by supporting the establishment of the SDS credential. Earning the SDS shows my commitment to working with patients who suffer from the most common sleep disorder, that being obstructive sleep apnea.
Respiratory therapists who earn additional credentials such as the SDS certification will find, as I have, more opportunities opening up for them in the clinical, educational, and business sectors of our field. Hospitals, home care companies, and manufacturers in the sleep disorders field all appreciate the additional depth indicated by respiratory therapists who earn the SDS credential.
Who: Lisa Tyler, MS, RRT-NPS, CPFT
What: Manager, Respiratory Care
Where: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
I obtained my NPS credential 2 1/2 years after I started working at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It is a job requirement for staff therapists, so optional it wasn’t. Regardless, it was important for me as an evolving health care professional. Caring for children is very different from caring for adults; understanding and managing those differences are crucial to being successful in neonatal/pediatric organizations.
The NPS certifies that one has the knowledge base to provide care to that special patient population. For that reason, most professional advancement opportunities in pediatrics require this certification at a minimum for consideration. Every new therapist hired is subject to my thoughts on the importance of obtaining this certification and the professional responsibilities associated with being a neonatal/pediatric RT.
Who: J. Brady Scott, MSc, RRT-ACCS
What: Assistant Professor, Respiratory Care Program
Where: Rush University, Chicago, IL
My entire career has been in the realm of adult critical care, so as soon as the ACCS exam was offered by the NBRC, I decided to test my knowledge. The decision to take the exam was easy, as it was both personal and professional. First, the credential is an expectation of our employees here at Rush if they choose to practice in adult critical care. Second, I felt it necessary to document competency in my chosen area of practice. In addition to these reasons, I took it because of the personal satisfaction that comes with taking/passing an advanced level exam.
Since passing the ACCS exam, I was asked to join an amazing group of clinicians that make up the faculty of the ACCS courses. It is motivating to see RTs show up to these courses to sharpen their critical care knowledge and skills. I believe this is a demonstration of their ongoing commitment to our profession through advanced credentialing.
Who: Karen L. Gregory, DNP, APRN, CNS, RRT, AE-C, FAARC
What: Advanced Practice Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, and Asthma Educator; Assistant Professor
Where: Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Oklahoma City, OK; Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Since achieving a degree in respiratory therapy more than 20 year ago, I have aspired to build my career upon the premise of providing excellent care to patients with pulmonary disease. Evidence-based practice asthma guidelines recognize patient education as a major component of patient care. Asthma education is well-demonstrated in the literature to reduce morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. Complexity of care for chronic illnesses has risen in the past decade, revealing that health care professionals must be equipped with knowledge and skill to achieve successful outcomes.
Achieving my AE-C certification on September 19, 2002 — the first day it was offered — has provided me with many opportunities for professional growth, including participating in program development and serving as a content expert. In the workplace, my AE-C credential demonstrates my competency as an expert in teaching, educating, and counseling patients with asthma and their families. Most importantly, my patients express comfort and trust learning asthma education and self-management from a certified asthma educator.