RRT vs. CRT Is a Non-Issue

Having been in this field just after(weeks) the name change to Inhalation Therapists, began as Navy Corpsman, this was my "duty shift " .Did my time, now civilian.  I have seen all kinds of " medical professionals" during my tenure in this field, including RRT/CRT. My 2cents , everyone chooses to reach as high as they desire.

If we as professionals can not work as a TEAM, the downside is not good. I had the privilege to work in a very UNIQUE rehab center, ( non existent now). RRT and CRRT, with LVN/RN, SLP, P.T., O.T. , Behavioral Therapists/ AND MD's........AS A TEAM. NO ONE above or below. Equal input. A VERY COMPETITIVE environment. An unbelievable education time. Everyone worked as a TEAM.

Now I am applying my knowledge/experience doing RT in the home. Majority of my cases are classified "Nero-muscular " disease. Have been doing this for 15 years, will NEVER go back to INSTITUTIONAL care!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, if you can Not pull together, ..........??????????your choice!!

Tyler, you are wrong. The solutions proposed are the solutions I want, and the same ones I wanted 30 years ago. Stacey, you obviously think I have some sort of fear, but you, too, are wrong. I have no fear. Working in rural hospitals, nurses do not do my work for me, as they do in larger facilities. I have never had that fear. All my career I have been a proponent of increasing our value to the health care industry. The point of the blog was to say let's stop bickering among ourselves and let's actually get started on doing something. I think that would be a nice change, because the things we are arguing over now are the same things we were arguing over 30 years ago. That was the point of the blog that you both missed. I appreciate the NARCP bringing conversation to the masses; somebody needed to do it. I tried through a blog, but when readers (like you) only read and interpret what they want, rather than what is written, it slows progress down. The NBRC and AARC are, in my opinion, failing the profession on this issue as well as others. Honestly, we have talked this to death. When will we get together as a community, make the tough decisions that need to be made, and move on? We will not progress, gain credibility, or secure our place in future health care until we do. That was the point of the blog. At this point, we are simply stirring the pot, and whether you believe it or not, or are saddened by it, it does not make it less true.

I have worked with competent and incompetent  RRT's and RCP's.Just passing a credentialing exam means little.Clinical skills are what count in our profession.The more modalities you are competent in is the stickling point.Especially when working in a low staffing environment as is sadly the norm in these times.Unless one is capable in all procedures, from broncoscopy,EEG,EKG,Stress testing,ballon pumps,intubation,A-line inserts,Hemodynamic setup and monitoring,ALL vent operation,ultrasound,et al from neonate to adult you have not the skill set to keep our profession top notch.Gathering advanced skill sets should be required over mere credential emphasis.Our patients deserve competent practitioners.Be the BEST you can be....or leave.

Mr. Thacker, solutions have been proposed, they are just not the solutions that you want to here; so I will attempt to make them a bit more clear for you.

1.) One entry-level exam, one entry-level credential (RRT) beginning yesterday.

2.) Increase the visibility of RT's and the contribution they make in the care of patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

3.) To expand our roles in areas such as case management, education, leadership, and other areas where our clinical expertise can benefit our patients.

4.) To fight hard for mid-level practitioner opportunities specifically related to cardiopulmonary care that allows RT's who wish to increase their scope and autonomy, the opportunity to do so.

5.) No longer accept bare minimum standards

6.) To enact laws that limit the practice of RC to licensed RT's only. Major patient safety issue that is not addressed enough.

These are just a few points of substance; however, none of it matters as long as our field as a whole is invisible and continues to accept that, and continues to accept mediocre standards.

I feel sad reading your essay/opinion piece.  What are you so afraid of?  In my opinion, your attitude is exactly what has kept our profession exactly in the same place it was 20 years ago when I started out.  The field of respiratory therapy is the ONLY discipline in healthcare that has recognized mediocrity rather than excellence.  I simply do not understand why achieving greatness is considered to be "stirring the pot".  For those who wish to excel in other areas that can benefit from our clinical expertise...well, we find that you need a sledgehammer to break through the barriers that require more advanced clinical degrees.  I get angry when nurses are writing disease management programs for COPD when I know respiratory therapists are the clinical experts.  I get angry when physical therapists are performing 6-minute walks on patients knowing full well that they don't know the clinical implications of what they are evaluating.  I get angry when clinical dieticians are training patients in nutrition and the advice they give is wrong for our patients.   Get really angry when nurses or some other discipline are the only clinical professionals deemed competent to manage pulmonary rehab programs.  Why is all of this true?  Because as a profession we would rather keep each other down, rather than elevate our status to one of strength and deserving of respect.  So please, tell me again about how demanding excellence and advancement is stirring the pot?

Regardless CRT or RRT no one respects either. Ask a random person what a RRT is and they have no idea ask the same person what a CRT is and you get the same answer. Now ask what is a OT,PT or a RN. My friend is a COTA/ new grad one test and hired on the spot at 33$ plus a sign on bonus. Hit the Nbrc in the pocket and have enroll drop in the collages and you see how fast thinks change. Instructor losing jobs b/c of low enrollment. I am an RRT 3 test later new grad and 16$ to start COTA 33$ you do the math. Lets stop wasting time a hit them were it matters. CRT /RRT put up or shut up

When you invite argument as this organization does, without any solutions, you are stirring the pot. Lucky for me there is now a big discussion on their Facebook page, and so far, everyone is very civil, something this organization, the AARC, or the NBRC have avoided like the plague. You are correct, we need to discuss and make decisions, not stir the pot. You're welcome!

I do not believe that this issue is as cut-and-dry as you imply. Will this reduce cost? Not likely, since the NBRC has no desire to lose money. What is the true motivation for changing the current practice? Surely it isn't to cater to RTs. The NBRC does not have to cater to us, because we have no choice other than to comply with their wishes, or find another field to work in. If the purpose is not cost saving or advocacy, then what is the purpose?

In regard to the CRT vs RRT debate: The CRT and RRT credentials do not determine clinical aptitude, motivation, or intelligence. The CRT and RRT credentials do, however, determine pay, employability, and respect. I am an RRT, and I do not look down upon CRTs, BUT the reality is that employers do. This issue should go away, but not because it is unimportant. We should demand that current CRTs be able to test for the RRT, regardless of their level of education. If they cannot pass the RRT, then they should be able to remain CRTs for the remainder of their career. States should require that everyone who graduates after this year earn the RRT credential within 6 months of initial licensing. Most CRTs should have no problem with this, since they are perfectly capable of managing critical patients. Ohio operates this way, and it has worked out fine. The NBRC should respond to this by requiring every new grad to take the CRT, then giving them 6 months to pass the RRT.

I believe that I know the organization that you are criticizing. Since when, is advocating considered "pot stirring"? The current state of this profession requires that things be stirred up a bit, does it not? Do we not deserve better pay, an increased role in the hospital, and more respect? I sure do! I don't know about you, but I show up to work every single shift, ready to do everything possible to give my patients breath when they have none. I feel very passionately about what I do, and I would like to be represented by an organization that feels just as passionately as I do. We cannot make progress without bringing attention to the problems that exist in our profession, and I am thankful that there are others out there who want to make our working conditions better, want to encourage us to educate and advocate, and who want to make us better Respiratory Therapists. The status quo is not good enough, and if a few feathers get ruffled in the process of getting things to a better place, then so be it!