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.
But are these additional credentials worth the time, effort, and money you’ll have to invest in them? In this first edition of our series on specialty credentials, two AARC members explain why they went after the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) and Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS), respectively, and what those credentials have meant to their careers.
RPFT Credential
Jeff Haynes, RRT, RPFT
Clinical Coordinator, Respiratory Therapy and the PFT Laboratory, 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.As I looked around, I noticed that all the top people in the field were RPFTs. That made it 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.
SDS Credential
Peter Allen, BSRC, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RSPGT
Clinical Coordinator Sleep Disorders Centers, Riddle Hospital and ExtonMain 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.
In Part 2 of this series we’ll share some thoughts from members who have earned the ACCS, NPS, and AE-C credentials.
