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The weight of credentials

By Chris Lyons posted 05-19-2011 10:40

  
 Hello my fellow Therapist, I have a question and hope that you can help me.Is there really a benefit to having additional respiratory credentials, other than CRT and RRT? The reason i asked is that I'm a CPFT working at this hospital where PFT's are done, but the ones who perform the PFT's are not credentialed in that area. Me and another person, who is a RPFT, has never even been in the PFT lab. Sure they have been there for a few years, and me and this other person has been there alittle over a year. When they're  done they always ask me and this other person what does it mean, and we know with just one look. I know it depends on the hospital, but in the future do you think that having your credential will be more of a MUST rather than an option. Where it will be more inforced to have this credential to work in these areas. As of now there is not much of an ergency to study, pay for and pass an exam such as this one, because it seems like just another piece of paper hanging on the wall. We mentioned it to the manager, but her response was "well they been here longer". And that made me wonder what is the weight of this credential? and will the NBRC make this more of a MUST have thing.  thanks for reading
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05-20-2011 16:46

Hi Chris,
I could not reply to your blog any better than Jerry has commented. I will although add: You do not know where your tomorrow's will lead you and diversification of your skill sets is what will propel you into upward professional ladder opportunities. Just remember: it is not all about what you know; it is more heavily weighted with your customer service training and skills. I wish you the very best in your chosen field of practice.

05-20-2011 09:01

jerry
Thank you so much for your comment, and yes it was very helpful. And also the link that you have on your blog was right on the money. glad to see i'm not alone.

05-19-2011 22:39

Chris,
Credentialing will always be a complex minefield to negotiate. There are a variety of attitudes and opinions about credentialling. The AARC has a position paper identifying the RRT as the gold standard yet there are still practitioners in our field that take the position "why should I pay to take that test when I can do the same thing as a CRT?" My personal opinion is that the credentials are a demonstration of your professional knowledge. Would you want to see a doctor that is board eligible in sleep medicine or the board certified provider? Hopefully this will be of some benefit to you.
Jerry