The Profession of Respiratory Therapy (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, roles, organizations, credentials, and scope of practice in the respiratory therapy profession.

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Front-line ICU/bedside clinician responsible for patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, education, rehabilitation and support of cardiopulmonary health.

AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care)

Leading national/international professional organization for RTs with governance via Board of Directors, House of Delegates, Board of Medical Advisors, and President’s Council.

NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care)

Voluntary credentialing agency that establishes standards and awards credentials (e.g., CRT, RRT) to protect patient lives.

CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care)

Accredits respiratory care degree programs (associate, bachelor’s, master’s) to ensure minimum educational standards.

ARCF (American Respiratory Care Foundation)

Promotes research, education, and patient-focused activities; supports awards, fellowships, journals; board of trustees guides initiatives.

CoBGRTE (Coalition for Baccalaureate and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education)

Organization promoting baccalaureate and graduate RT education; board includes professionals from various RT roles.

ICRC (International Council for Respiratory Care)

Global partnership of RT organizations addressing educational, medical, and professional trends across countries.

NAECB (National Educator Certification Board)

Board that governs educator certification within respiratory care (education standards for RT faculty and specialists).

TJC (The Joint Commission)

Major healthcare accrediting body that sets standards and surveys facilities for quality and safety.

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

Federal agency under HHS that administers Medicare/Medicaid and influences reimbursement for care.

AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)

Sets standards for medical devices and instrumentation used in healthcare.

CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist)

Entry-level RT credential earned after completing an accredited program and NBRC TMC exam.

RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)

Advanced RT credential obtained after further NBRC exams (CSE) beyond CRT.

CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist)

Credential for professionals performing pulmonary function testing.

RPFT (Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist)

Advanced PFT credential signifying broader expertise in pulmonary function testing.

CRT-NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist)

RT credential specializing in neonatal and pediatric patient care.

RRT-NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist)

Advanced neonatal/pediatric RT specialty credential.

RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist)

RT credential focused on adult critical care scenarios.

CRT-SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialist)

RT credential specializing in sleep disorder evaluation and management.

RRT-SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialist)

Advanced sleep disorders credential for RTs.

Scope of Respiratory Care Practice

Range of RT duties including patient assessment, disease management, diagnostics, therapy, education and rehab across care settings.

RT diagnostic activities

Obtaining/analyzing physiological specimens, interpreting data, conducting tests and sleep studies, neurophysiological testing.

RT therapeutic activities

Administering/monitoring medical gases, ventilator management, artificial airways, bronchopulmonary hygiene, medications, rehab, hemodynamic support, sleep support.

Practice Settings

Hospitals, medical offices, interfacility transport, homes, sleep labs, SNFs, pulmonary rehab, outpatient clinics.

Department Director

Departmental leadership responsible for quality patient care and development of the RT department.

Educational Coordinator

Oversees RT education needs, resources, orientation, competency programs and implementation of new technology education.

Quality Assurance Coordinator

Evaluates clinical efficiency and value of care, uses metrics like RVUs, FTEs, risk-benefit, and cost-effectiveness.

Supervisors/Lead Therapists

Senior RTs who allocate workloads, support advanced procedures, and lead departmental operations.

Medical Director

Physician (often Pulmonologist/Critical Care or Anesthesiologist) guiding clinical care protocols and ensuring 24/7 availability.

Licensure

State-mandated credentialing to protect public health; minimum standard often CRT, with movement toward RRT for licensure in many states.

State Licensure Movement to RRT

Trend where states require RRT (not CRT) for licensure; examples include Ohio (2015), California (2015), AZ/NJ/NM (2017), OR (2018), GA (2019).

Professionalism (in RT)

Ethical conduct: accredited education, credentials, continuing education, ethics, patient privacy, and active involvement in professional organizations.

Pulmonary Disease Manager

Role focused on teaching patients to manage chronic cardiopulmonary disease; aligns with RT skill set.

APRT (Advance Practice Respiratory Therapist)

Concept of master-level, non-physician RT practitioners; COARC standards exist but no accredited program yet.

Researcher

RT role expanding to conduct and apply research to improve patient care and technology, often with advanced science degrees.

TMC NBRC Exam

Therapist Multiple-Choice examination used to credential CRT before advancing to RRT.