In the last edition of Career News we heard from AARC members who hold the RPFT and SDS specialty credentials. In this issue, members who’ve earned the NPS, ACCS, and AE-C explain why they decided these additional certifications were well worth the time and money they invested in them—
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.
