CREDENTIALING FOR THE RESPIRATORY CARE PROFESSION • V49/N4 • FOURTH QUARTER 2018
Respiratory Care Profession CONTENTS Bolstered in 2018
Lori Tinkler, who took the reins as NBRC Chief Executive Officer in January, 1 Respiratory Care Profession reinvigorated our focus on building and nurturing physician and respiratory care Bolstered in 2018 relationships in order to strengthen and elevate the respiratory care profession. Lori, together with the Board of Trustees and the NBRC team, furthered our mission 3 Annual Renewal - Top Five of promoting excellence in respiratory care by awarding credentials based on Reasons to Renew high competency standards by introducing new examination content, revealing a new Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) and creating new channels of 4 A Fond Farewell to NBRC communication via social media with credentialed practitioners. Board Members On the Road 5 Meet the NBRC Staff To continuously build awareness for the value of respiratory care credentials, we 6 Worthy Recipients Receive 2018 ensure credentialed practitioners are well represented at industry meetings and sponsor conferences. In March, we convened with key leaders at the National NBRC Awards at AARC Congress Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) Conference to further expand relationships with respiratory care, pulmonologists and sleep 7 New Policy Safeguards Integrity medicine practitioners. At the annual American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference of Your Credentials in May, we met with our sponsoring organization leaders and many cardiothoracic members to emphasize the value of NBRC specialty credentials. A Message from the CEO
In July, Dr. Rob Shaw, NBRC’s Vice President of Examinations, gave the yearly memorial lecture to honor Jimmy Young at the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Summer Forum in Texas. He unveiled changes in score reporting, a new waiting period policy, and examination design adjustments – all of which are viewed as positive changes for the respiratory care profession. nbrc.org
We had a lot of fun launching an on-site quiz, ‘The PEEP is Right!’, which tested physicians’ knowledge about mechanical ventilation for a chance to win prizes at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Conference. It was a very successful interactive way to engage physicians in discussion about the importance of respiratory care in their institutions. At the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) Exchange in November, Rob presented his research on determining how long an NBRC credential should be valid, underscoring the rigor of respiratory care exams and the level of knowledge respiratory care professionals have. Lori also presented at ICE, highlighting the best practices we followed in successfully rebranding the NBRC in 2016. We capped off the year in Las Vegas, attending AARC’s International Congress, where we handed out credential badge ribbons for the first time. This created opportunity to speak with and listen to the wishes and needs of respiratory care practitioners as they came by our booth. We also proudly presented the NBRC awards at our annual reception, our personal highlight of Congress.
Other 2018 professional initiatives we engaged in include representation on Respiratory Care Profession Bolstered, continued the AARC Ad Hoc Committee on Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist Credentialing and Education, the AARC Entry-Level Baccalaureate Collaborative, the Clinical Advisory Committee of the Respiratory Compromise Institute (RCI) and participating as an Industry Advisor to the NAMDRC.
Closer to home, we were thrilled to host one of two yearly meetings of the NBRC Board of Trustees and the State Licensure Liaison Group. We believe it is important to work closely with our state licensure colleagues to ensure practitioners have a single point of entry into respiratory care with a combined credential and licensure examination. The second Board meeting took us to Nashville in Dr. Rob Shaw, NBRC Vice President of Examinations, presents at ICE 2018 November where several proposed future changes were finalized and approved. New and Improved
Our presence on social media is one of the more publicly noticeable changes that occurred in 2018. The NBRC now has official Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts which allow us to instantly share information with credentialed practitioners, interact with students, and engage with our sponsors and industry colleagues. We continue to engage and grow our audiences every day to promote excellence in respiratory care.
We seamlessly introduced new content for two specialty Respiratory therapy students from the University of Missouri visit the NBRC executive office in September 2018 examinations in 2018: The Adult Critical Care Specialty Examination implemented in June, while the Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty Examination initiated new content in October.
Finally, we revealed the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). A new assessment option was added ensuring all credentialed practitioners taking the assessments stay current on rapidly changing respiratory care topics that may put patients at risk. The assessments are designed to encourage on-going learning and potentially have the added benefit of lowering the amount of CE’s a practitioner is required to submit. Board of Trustees
It has been an exciting year for our board! Katherine L. Fedor, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT, started her term as our new president and
Visitors to the NBRC booth at CHEST chatted with NBRC CEO, quickly acclimated, joining Lori at several speaking engagements Lori Tinkler, while having fun playing The PEEP is Right! to test their around the country talking with students, educators, and colleagues mechanical ventilation knowledge for prizes The PEEP is Right! Winners Congratulations to Dr. Robert Aranson, MD, Mohammad Battah, RRT, RRT-NPS, and Kevin Collins, RRT, RPFT, for winning a pair of wireless earbuds by achieving the highest scores on our quiz, ‘The PEEP is Right!’ at the annual American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) meeting in October.
2 Fourth Quarter 2018 Respiratory Care Profession Bolstered, continued about NBRC’s mission and the new CMP. As with many years, we welcomed new Trustees and said a grateful goodbye to others.
In 2018, Trustees made several notable decisions:
• Approved a viability study to consider a new credentialing program for Pulmonary Disease Educator, at the request of AARC. • Approved the use of one unit of measure (mmHg) to describe partial pressures in examination questions, effective 2020. • Approved final content for CMP assessments. • Approved a new waiting period for repeat exam attempts, effective 2020. • Eliminated physics as a required science course for the CRT-to-Registry Admission provision. Shawna Strickland, AARC’s Associate Executive Director stopped by to pick up her credential ribbons from Lori Tinkler at the AARC Congress The New Year
With so much accomplished in 2018, the new year promises to be just as full and productive. After a successful call for practitioner stories, we are very excited to implement our specialty credential ad campaign this year, showcasing motivated respiratory therapists in hopes to inspire others to earn specialty credentials. Encouraging constant and continued learning of the latest developments in respiratory therapy, the pilot for the new CMP with quarterly assessments will be rolled out, ultimately adding to patient safety. Lastly, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with students, practitioners, and respiratory care professionals at industry and state society meetings.
2019 Annual Renewal Top Five Reasons to Renew
In October you received communication from the NBRC President, Katherine Fedor, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT, asking you to renew your active or supporter status. If you have already renewed, thank you! If you have not, please consider renewing.
By maintaining yearly active status, you will:
1. Receive reduced fees for credential verification letters, wallet cards, and lapel pins 2. Be represented with organizations and state licensure agencies impacting the respiratory care profession 3. Help fund activities to positively promote your profession 4. Have access to the online NBRC Directory of active credentialed practitioners 5. Avoid paying a lump sum when it’s time to recertify your credential
The renewal cycle is based on the calendar year from January through December 31. The Board provides an annual gift appreciation to those who support the NBRC through the annual renewal process. The 2019 gift will be mailed approximately four weeks after your renewal is processed.
Take advantage of online renewal at nbrc.org to receive a $5.00 discount. The NBRC knows how dedicated and hard-working credentialed respiratory care practitioners are and provides this discount as a way of giving back to the respiratory care profession.
If you have not maintained active status in the past, please reconsider activating your status to demonstrate your support for the credentialing organization and to ensure that your NBRC credentials continue to have high value and national meaning.
Your support is greatly appreciated and will be used to accomplish our mission for years to come.
nbrc.org 3 Thank You for Your Dedication A Fond Farewell to NBRC to our Board! Board Members
We fondly recognize five NBRC Board of Trustees members whose terms ended December 31, 2018. By serving on the NBRC Board and examination committees, they have shared their extensive knowledge and served as content experts to ensure the respiratory therapy credentialing examinations are current, viable, and continuously provide value. Susan B. Blonshine, BS, RRT, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC NBRC Board Member 1999 - 2018 (AARC) Their contributions have helped to ensure the credentialing system for respiratory care continues to help propel the profession forward in a positive way. On behalf of everyone at the NBRC, thank you for your dedicated service to our Board. Each of you are just one of the many ways Excellence Defines Us!
David C. Levin, MD, FCCP Thank You! NBRC Board Member 1986 - 2018 (ATS)
Robert A. May, MD, FCCP NBRC Board Member 1995 - 2006 (ASA) and 2007 - 2018 (CHEST)
Donald S. Prough, MD, FCCP NBRC Board Member 2007 - 2018 (ASA)
Mark S. Siobal, BS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC NBRC Board Member 2009 - 2018 (AARC)
4 Fourth Quarter 2018 Meet the NBRC Staff
Jennifer Benavente Marcy Hetzel
Originally from Monroe, MI, Jen Marcy joined the NBRC team lived in the Kansas City area as a Customer Care Specialist for six years, which is when she in 2016. With her sunny began working for the NBRC. disposition, she not only That was 16 years ago. With an enjoys what she does, but is associate degree from Monroe quite good at it because she County Community College genuinely gains satisfaction and a bachelor’s degree in both from helping candidates and math and education from the practitioners. Both by phone University of Toledo, Jen was and through email, she brings originally looking for a teaching a clearer understanding of job when she was hired to work our policies and procedures, at NBRC in Test Development helps callers navigate and Scoring. Currently, Jen is a Research Associate who their personal profiles, order products, purchase exams, manages the design, distribution, and summarization of job or recertify credentials. The flexibility and accommodating analysis surveys. She also drafts reports that document studies work environment mean as much to her as her ‘exceptional’ and assists with most NBRC research projects. coworkers.
An opportunity arose for Jen to move back to her hometown Marcy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Records about nine years ago and she has been working remotely Administration from the University of Kansas, and a Master of ever since, traveling back to Kansas City from time to time, as Science degree in Administration of Justice and Security from needed. When asked what she appreciates about working at Phoenix University. She also earned a Paralegal Certificate from NBRC, Jen replied, “I feel very lucky and blessed that I have Kaplan University. been able to work remotely for the past nine years working with wonderful people and doing a job that I enjoy. After my Born in Chicago, IL, Marcy grew up in the nearby suburb two children came along, it’s given me flexibility to continue to of Skokie, moved to Overland Park, KS in 1992, and then work while being very involved in their lives and active at their to Stilwell, KS, to raise her kids in 1996. Currently settled in school”. Raymore, MO with her husband, Rick she has four sons, a daughter-in-law, and a stepson, all grown and out of the house. Jen has been married to her husband, Hugo, for sixteen years With a big smile she admits, “My current favorite ‘son’ is my and has a nine-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter. beautiful 3-year old Great Pyrenees, Yeti.” Grand dogs Bella When not busy watching the amazing things her son can do and Phog run a close second. in Minecraft or helping her daughter with an art project, she likes to listen to pod casts while walking their dog, Finnegan. In her spare time she enjoys cooking for company, kayaking, Reading and knitting are also ways she likes to unwind. walking with the dogs, and reading mystery novels or non- fiction. She loves to laugh and looks forward to one day selling While the staff at our executive office don’t get to physically see everything and traveling the country in an RV with Rick and Yeti. her very often, Jen is very much an everyday part of our team and her work and contributions are invaluable!
Follow NBRC on social media to stay up-to-date on respiratory care credentialing developements!
/NBRC.org /NBRC_tweets /company/national-board-for-respiratory-care nbrc.org 5 Worthy Recipients Receive 2018 NBRC Awards at AARC Congress
Honoring people who have made substantial contributions to the respiratory care profession is something we look forward to each year at the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) International Congress. We were delighted to bestow NBRC awards to the deserving individuals below at Congress.
2018 NBRC Award Recipients:
The Robert H. Miller, RRT Award - presented annually by the NBRC to a respiratory therapist or pulmonary function technologist demonstrating outstanding service to the profession and/or its credentialing system.
Carl F. Haas, MLS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, FAARC 2018 NBRC Award Winners: Gregg L. Ruppel, MEd, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, Neal H. Cohen, MD, MPS, MH, and Carl F. Haas, MLS, The Albert H. Andrews, Jr., MD Award - presented annually by RRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, FAARC the NBRC to a physician who has distinguished himself or herself (Gary A. Smith, RRT (Hon), FAARC, not pictured) through outstanding service to the respiratory care community. a student who has shown exemplary leadership in their educational career as well as volunteer and community service. Neal H. Cohen, MD, MPS, MH Karen Mei Ling Lai, Skyline College, San Francisco, CA The Clifford D. Bryan, RRT Outstanding Service Award - created by the Board to honor the memory of Clifford D. Bryan, RRT who The NBRC William W. Burgin, Jr., MD and Robert M. Lawrence, was the first paid Executive Director of the NBRC, a clinician, an MD Education Recognition Award - Presented by the ARCF, entrepreneur, and a man of many talents. this award recognizes a third or fourth-year student enrolled in an accredited respiratory therapy program leading to a Gary A. Smith, RRT (Hon), FAARC Baccalaureate degree.
The Sister Mary Yvonne Jenn, CRNA, RRT Lifetime Achievement 2018—Joshua Lyons, BSRT, RRT Award - the NBRC’s highest honor, is bestowed annually to an individual whose continuous career accomplishments have The NBRC Gareth B. Gish, MS, RRT Memorial Postgraduate had a significant impact on the respiratory care community. Education Recognition Award - Presented by the ARCF, this It is presented by the NBRC to an individual whose career award recognizes a respiratory therapist pursuing postgraduate accomplishments have typically changed the direction of the education leading to an advanced degree. profession or the NBRC’s credentialing system. 2018—Kevin P. Collins, MS, RRT, RPFT, AE-C Gregg L. Ruppel, MEd, RRT, RPFT, FAARC The NBRC Gary A. Smith Educational Award for Innovation in The NBRC is also proud to fund several scholarship awards Education Achievement - Presented by the ARCF, this award presented by Lambda Beta and the American Respiratory Care recognizes innovative educational methods in formal respiratory Foundation (ARCF). care education programs, clinical education training programs, and patient education programs that address current challenges 2018 Lambda Beta and ARCF Award Recipients: in respiratory care education.
The NBRC/Hill Leadership Award - presented by Lambda Beta to 2018—Samantha Davis, MS, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, CHSE
Congratulations to the recipients of these awards in 2018! Thank you for inspiring excellence in respiratory care. 6 Fourth Quarter 2018 New Policy Safeguards Integrity of Your Credentials Repeat Attempt Policy To help safeguard the integrity and value of your NBRC credentials, a new policy will be implemented in January 2020 which will include waiting period requirements and attempt limits for our credentialing examinations.
Candidates may attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations three times, after which the candidate will be required to wait a minimum of 120 days before sitting for the exam again. For the specialty credentialing examinations, including Pulmonary Function Technology, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty, Sleep Disorders Specialty, and Adult Critical Care Specialty Examinations, candidates may attempt the exam two times, after which the candidate will be required to wait at least 180 days before sitting for the exam again.
Our repeat attempt policy mirrors what many healthcare credentialing and certifying organizations already have in place including, physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians, to name just a few. We believe this is an important step to ensuring a candidate passes an exam based on his or her knowledge, application of knowledge, and skills set, not simply because the questions have become familiar.
A Message from NBRC’s CEO
My first year as CEO proved to be exciting and extremely productive. Much of my time was spent promoting our profession by attending and participating in six industry conferences. These meetings are a great opportunity to talk and learn from people working in respiratory care, as well as the physicians who support them. I also had the opportunity to present at both the AARC and CoARC Board of Directors meetings, the Tri-State Respiratory Care Conference, and the 50th annual conference for the Illinois Society for Respiratory Care in 2018.
One of the favorite parts of my job is speaking to the future of our profession - respiratory care students. It was a pleasure hosting open houses for local students and visiting respiratory care programs in various cities. Spending time with students is a wonderful opportunity to give a clearer understanding of the NBRC, our credentialing examinations, and what it takes to maintain a credential. NBRC CEO, Lori Tinkler, MBA I am proud to have been appointed to serve on the Respiratory Care NetWork Steering Committee for the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the Respiratory Care Advisory Board at Johnson County Community College here in Kansas City, and two AARC committees including the Ad Hoc Committee on Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist Credentialing and Education, and the Entry-Level Baccalaureate Collaborative. Serving and participating in this capacity is yet another opportunity to help elevate the respiratory care profession.
With 2019 already underway, I look forward to continuing to positively promote the respiratory care profession by listening, learning, and letting Excellence Define Us.
nbrc.org 7 Published Quarterly by the NATIONAL BOARD FOR RESPIRATORY CARE, INC. 10801 Mastin St., Suite 300 Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1658 913.895.4900 Fax: 913.712.9283 Email: [email protected] Website: nbrc.org
NBRC Horizons is published quarterly to communicate information about the admission policies and procedures, the day-to-day activities, and the short-term and long-range plans of the NBRC, the national certifying board for the respiratory care profession. The NBRC is sponsored by the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. Copyright © 2019. The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. Permission must be secured in writing to reprint any portion of this issue. State societies for respiratory care, respiratory care education programs and state licensure agencies may reprint any portion of this publication in their newsletter provided they mention the source.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Katherine L. Fedor, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT (AARC) – President Alan L. Plummer, MD, FCCP, FAARC (ATS) – Vice President David L. Vines, MHS, RRT, FAARC, FCCP (AARC) – Secretary Robert A. Balk, MD, FCCP (CHEST) – Treasurer Robert L. Joyner, Jr., PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC (AARC) – Past President
PUBLIC ADVISOR Glenna L. Tinney, MSW
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Amy J. Boeckmann, MPA, BS, RRT (AARC) – At-Large Member Robin J. Elwood, MD, FAAP (ASA) – At-Large Member Teresa A. Volsko, MBA, MHHS, RRT, CMTE, FAARC (AARC) – At-Large Member
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Joyce Baker, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C (AARC) Todd G. Bocklage, MPA, RRT (AARC) Brian W. Carlin, MD, FCCP, FAARC (ATS) Robert T. Chasse, MD, (ATS) Thomas M. Fuhrman, MD, MMSc, FCCP (CHEST) Kerry E. George, MEd, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC (AARC) Carl F. Haas, MLS, RRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, FAARC (AARC) Jeffrey M. Haynes, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC) Hyacinth M. Johnson, RN, BSN, MPA, RRT (AARC) Carl A. Kaplan, MD, FCCP (CHEST) James Lamberti, MD, FCCP (CHEST) Scott Manaker, MD, FCCP (ATS) Peter Marshall, MD, MPH (CHEST) Laura L. McFarland, BS, RRT, RRT-SDS, RPSGT (AARC) Matthew McNally, RRT (AARC) Carl D. Mottram, BA, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC) Linda A. Napoli, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT (AARC) Andrew E. Schober, MD (ASA) Robert A. Sinkin, MD, MPH, FAAP (ATS) Beth M.T. Teegarden, MD (ASA)
TRUSTEE EMERITUS William W. Burgin, Jr., MD, FCCP H. F. Helmholz Jr., MD, FAARC Robert M. Lawrence, MD Theodore Oslick, MD, FCCP, FAARC
CHAIRMAN OF THE NBRC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Carl D. Mottram, RRT, RPFT, FAARC (AARC)
STAFF Lori M. Tinkler, MBA, Chief Executive Officer Scott M. Hermansen, CPA, Chief Financial Officer Robert C. Shaw Jr., PhD, RRT, FAARC, Vice President, Examinations Melanie Thomas, Vice President, Credentialing Operations