Effect on the number of RRTs
Some of the changes will cause a decrease and an increase in the number of registered respiratory therapists. The decrease will be due to the proposed changes, which demand that the education levels of the registered respiratory therapist be increased. This is because no adjustments have been made in the graduate education levels, in the field of respiratory therapy. That is the knowledge, skills and attributes will have to be more compared to those of the existing ones. Thus, institutions will have to incorporate more curriculums in their studies. This will be a challenge since currently most of the institutions indicate that even the current time set for the educating respiratory therapy course is not adequate. On the other hand, combining the CRT and RRT examinations will encourage the taking of the RRT exams and this may have an impact of increasing the number of RRTs.
Effect on the Pay of RRTs
The pay of the RRTs is bound to increase. Firstly, providing more career building education opportunities will increase the specialization levels of the RRTs. In situations where the RRTs will be required to handle complex situations, pay is likely to be higher since the healthcare system will demand high quality and high expectations from the RRTs.
Effect on the Knowledge of RRTs
Knowledge of the RRTs will increase and improve. Incorporating evidenced based medicine and protocols will contribute largely to achieving this goal. Additionally, the changes in healthcare policies and regulations will also require the RRTs to have vast amounts of knowledge in the different scenarios that may arise in respiratory therapy. Further, incorporation of the current technologies will require skills to utilize them and this plays a crucial role in determining the knowledge level of the RRTs. The idea of having career building education opportunities will increase the competencies of the RRTs. The use of simulation will greatly expand and increase the knowledge of the RRTs. Simulation will assist in the training of the RRTs and thus exposing them to different clinical scenarios. Therefore, these simulations will increase the safety levels of the RRTs while handling patients in the intensive care units.
Effect on the Duties of RRTs
The duties of the RRTs will increase. This will be based on the increase in the different specialization areas that will be required for the RRTs. Further, the 2015 and beyond task force projects an increase in demand for RRTs, thus indicating an increase in the duties that will be required. Additionally, the healthcare systems itself is undergoing reforms and changes that will require improved quality and reduced cost in the field of respiratory therapy. This will require the RRTs to put additional effort in their work, which will mean more duties will be there to ensure that improved quality and reduced costs are achieved.
My Future as an RRT
Based on the proposed changes I see positive changes for me in the field of respiratory therapy. I will develop new and more knowledge, skills and other important qualities. Further, use of simulation technologies will assist tremendously in addressing various complex clinical scenarios. The changes will also assist me in developing additional competencies. Leadership skills will be a crucial aspect as an RRT.
