Chapter 2 – The Profession of Respiratory Therapy

These vocabulary flashcards cover the key roles, credentials, organizations, and concepts presented in Chapter 2 on the profession of Respiratory Therapy.

Respiratory Therapy (Profession)

A health-care field established in the 1930s that specializes in the assessment, treatment, and management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

Scope of Practice (RT)

The full range of RT services including assessment, disease management, diagnostics, therapy, education, rehabilitation, and use of technology across all care sites.

RT Diagnostic Activities

Tasks such as obtaining and analyzing physiological specimens, interpreting data, and performing cardiopulmonary, neurophysiological, and sleep studies.

RT Therapeutic Activities

Interventions like medical gas administration, mechanical ventilator management, airway care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, drug delivery, rehabilitation, hemodynamic support, and sleep support.

Practice Settings (RT)

Locations where RTs work, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, skilled nursing facilities, sleep labs, transport services, pulmonary rehab, outpatient centers, and patient homes.

Centralized RT Department

A department structure with unified leadership, policies, procedures, equipment, and staff designed to deliver consistent respiratory care.

Department Director

The leader responsible for quality respiratory care service and departmental development; must be an experienced, innovative RT committed to patient care.

Educational Coordinator

RT leader who assesses staff learning needs, runs orientation, continuing competency, and technology-related education programs.

Quality Assurance Coordinator

Individual who measures departmental efficiency and value, analyzes cost-benefit, and identifies opportunities to improve respiratory care.

Value-Based Efficiency

A quality metric calculated as the benefit of therapy divided by effort (FTE), often expressed in cost savings, survival, or patient-perceived benefit.

Relative Value Unit (RVU)

A traditional measure of procedural workload used with time standards to evaluate staff efficiency in respiratory care.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

A staffing measure representing the effort of one full-time employee, used in efficiency calculations.

Researcher/Scientist (RT Dept)

An advanced-degree clinician hired to study and improve respiratory practices and technologies within the department.

Supervisor / Lead Therapist

Experienced, highly credentialed RT who assigns workloads, supports advanced procedures, and handles day-to-day managerial issues.

Respiratory Therapist (Staff)

Front-line bedside practitioner who delivers direct respiratory care; considered the heart of the department.

Medical Director (RT Department)

Pulmonary or anesthesia physician jointly responsible for clinical care quality, protocol development, and 24-hour consultation.

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

Entry-level credential for RTs who achieve the minimum cut score on the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Advanced credential earned after attaining the higher TMC cut score and passing the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE).

Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Exam

NBRC examination with two cut scores—one conferring CRT status and a higher one qualifying the candidate for the CSE.

Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE)

NBRC advanced exam that, when passed, awards the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

The leading professional organization for RTs; governed by a Board of Directors, House of Delegates, Board of Medical Advisors, and President’s Council.

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Voluntary credentialing agency that promotes excellence by awarding RT credentials based on high competency standards.

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)

Accredits associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree respiratory care programs in the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF)

Organization that funds research, education, and philanthropy in respiratory care, supported administratively by the AARC.

Coalition for Baccalaureate and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education (CoBGRTE)

Group that advocates for and supports higher-degree (BS and graduate) respiratory therapy education programs.

International Council for Respiratory Care (ICRC)

AARC partner council of 25 member countries addressing global educational and professional issues in respiratory care.

National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB)

Board that provides voluntary certification for asthma educators, relevant to RTs specializing in asthma care.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Accrediting body that sets quality and safety standards for U.S. health-care organizations, impacting RT practice.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Federal agency within HHS that administers Medicare/Medicaid; its payment policies influence respiratory care delivery.

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)

Organization that develops standards for medical devices and instrumentation, including respiratory equipment.

State Licensure (RT)

Legal mechanism to protect the public by requiring a minimum RT competency level—usually CRT, with movement toward RRT entry.

Professionalism (RT)

Attributes including accredited education completion, credentialing, continuing education, ethical practice, privacy respect, and active professional involvement.

“2015 and Beyond” Task Force

AARC initiative that envisioned future RT roles, required skills, education, and transition strategies for evolving health-care models.

Pulmonary Disease Manager

RT role focused on teaching patients self-management and ownership of chronic pulmonary diseases.

Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT)

Master’s-level non-physician provider specializing in cardiopulmonary care; CoARC has created educational standards, with one program accredited.

Baccalaureate Entry to Practice

AARC-supported movement encouraging a bachelor’s degree as the minimum academic preparation for new RTs.