Online continuing education courses have become increasingly popular among medical professionals, including respiratory therapists. Several options are available for respiratory care professionals to meet their CE requirements, including live seminars, conferences, and offline classrooms. Many career aspirants prefer online courses because of their inherent benefits, such as affordability, flexibility, and convenience.
A large number of CE providers have emerged as a result of the growing preference for online courses. It’s most important to be selective when choosing a course provider. You must ensure they are AARC-approved and are committed to providing reliable, accurate, and high-quality continuing education courses. California Board of Registered Nursing also offers valid CEUs for Respiratory Therapists depending on the state. When you select a respiratory therapist CEUS online course, you must ensure it is appropriate to your license renewal and gives you the right knowledge that will help further your career.
What is a Respiratory Therapist, and What is Respiratory Care?
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) defines respiratory care as “the health care discipline specializing in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function, health, and wellness.” As per the board, respiratory therapists are trained and licensed professionals that are educated in the practice of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and respiratory components of the human anatomy. They employ scientific principles for identifying, treating, and preventing the cardiopulmonary system’s acute or chronic dysfunction and disorders.
Respiratory therapists need an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underlying cardiopulmonary pathophysiology and physiology. They are also expected to have a deep understanding of biomedical engineering and the application of technology. This knowledge allows them to provide efficient and effective patient care services in direct and indirect settings.
Respiratory care professionals use critical thinking, evidence-based clinical practice, and patient and environmental assessment skills to develop and implement effective care plans. Respiratory care professionals must follow patient-driven protocols while staying updated with patient education, disease management programs, and disease-based clinical pathways.
- Respiratory therapists are necessary for a variety of care settings, including:
- Urgent care settings
- Sleep disorder centers and diagnostic laboratories
- Long-term acute care facilities
- Emergency departments
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Convalescent and retirement centers
- Educational institutions
- Medical equipment companies and suppliers
- Physician offices and clinics
- Wellness centers
- Acute care hospitals
- Home Health
- Patient transport systems
- Telehealth providers
- Research
- Insurance companies
They are an essential part of any medical team, as was seen during covid-19 pandemic times. Respiratory therapists across the country worked tirelessly with medical teams in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to ensure that patients could breathe easily.
When Should a Respiratory Therapist Start Looking for Continuing Education Classes?
Studying to become a respiratory care therapist is not an easy feat. You are probably done with your books after accepting your diploma – at least for a while. You don’t want to deal with compliances and educational requirements anymore. Unfortunately, you would need to keep up with your continuing education units if you renew your license or maintain an active status. Most respiratory therapists procrastinate and delay getting their CE units until it’s time for license renewal.
This is when they finally start on the compliance requirements. Don’t let this be you. Get started on completing your CE units in a timely manner. You may have too much on your plate if you leave things till the very end. The best time to start your continuing education requirements is right now. You don’t want to wait till it’s time for license renewals. You won’t have the time or the same opportunities then.
Depending on the state of practice, you may require annual or bi-annual continuing education credits. There are certain hospitals and healthcare employers that stress specific continuing education credits. The courses you choose will have a significant say in your career. You should get a healthy balance of facility-specific, managerial, and field-related courses.
This is why you must start the continuing education units as soon as possible. You must always choose an American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) approved and accredited provider. Educational programs are accredited by the Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) system. They assure that your continuing education needs remain relevant, updated, and valuable. As mentioned previously, the California Board of Registered Nursing offers courses which meet the CEU requirements for several of the states.
Requirements for continuing respiratory care education vary as per the state. However, most require these credits for active license maintenance. Your license may lapse if you don’t complete the CE units in time. Several requirements must be met before you can begin applying for license renewal. You can ensure that nothing is missed by getting on top of things quickly.
You may lose precious credits and face new problems if you let your professional license lapse. Uncertainty in professional life is not something an overworked respiratory therapist needs. You don’t need to worry about CEUs if your registration is inactive and you have no plans to practice your profession. You should have notified the state health department about this.
If you attempt to renew your respiratory therapist license, you will need to start from the beginning and clear all your continuing education requirements that you missed. This is one of the reasons why CE experts always recommend that professionals keep up with their continuing education credits. Things get a lot easier at the time of renewal. Continuing courses also help respiratory healthcare professionals keep on top of industry happenings.
Is CEUs Learning Required?
Each state has its own requirements where continuing respiratory therapy education is concerned. You must complete a set number of respiratory CEUs within a specified period to ensure you have everything necessary for license renewal. All respiratory therapy CEUs go a long way in satisfying the state health board’s license renewal requirement. This is regardless of whether you choose offline classes, seminars, live conferences, or an online mode of study.
There are several benefits to keeping up with respiratory therapy CEUs for respiratory professionals besides satisfying the requirements laid down by the state licensing board. For starters, you are always on top of industry changes. You know the advancements in the respiratory field will help you do your job better. Respiratory therapists also have one of the most important jobs of ensuring their patients can breathe well.
Continuing education requirements are mandatory in most cases, depending on the state. You must complete a specified number of CE units to maintain and renew the license. It would help if you started these CE courses early as you may not have time to fit them into your busy schedule later. You don’t need to worry about not completing the courses just because you don’t have time in your professional life.
Several online options allow for completing the continuing education units through a self-study course. All you need to do is complete the course and take the test at the end. You will get your CEU certificate as soon as you clear the test. You don’t need to travel anywhere to attend expensive conferences and seminars. Although, you may not want to pass over the opportunity of completing a CE credit if your hospital organizes these seminars.
Certain state boards have specific requirements concerning the acceptability and eligibility of self-study courses. The majority of states accept online respiratory therapy continuing education course as long as it is from an accredited and approved provider. You should always check your state board’s dedicated portal for respiratory therapists to identify the course’s acceptability. This should be done before you complete the course.
For instance, all respiratory therapists in California who wish to maintain an active license must complete 15 hours of continuing education units in the first renewal and 30 hours in all subsequent renewals. Michigan is one of the few states where continuing education is not required for license renewal of respiratory therapists. However, Michigan licensing and regulatory affairs strongly recommend ongoing education to maintain competence in their profession.
What are the Benefits of Taking Online CEU Courses?
These are several advantages when you choose to pursue online respiratory therapy CEUs.
You get better at your job
Advancements are being made in all healthcare fields daily. Some new techniques and technologies have been invented to make it easier for patients. You can help your patients much better when you have a higher level of education. Respiratory therapists that keep up with continuing education requirements are usually more aware of industry updates and changes.
You will be better equipped to deal with any challenging cases that come your way. This will automatically improve your job and help you further your career. People that are good at what they do are first in line for promotions and perks. But, the primary benefit of being good at your job is the satisfaction you will derive from helping people heal and breathe.
Continuing education ensures that you always keep up with the changes and learn critical information to apply that knowledge to your job.
You can tackle complexities
Specific patient groups require complex care protocols. In particular, seniors, children, and infants suffer from respiratory conditions that can quickly worsen their condition. If interested, you can complete a course in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or pneumonia and learn to read the signs and the necessary steps to take. You would probably have read about these things during your diploma. Taking this into account, many things may have changed since then.
For instance, premature babies require specific procedures for addressing complications and disorders associated with underdeveloped lungs. Coronavirus complications are another example of the complexities respiratory therapists must deal with. These healthcare professionals had to quickly adapt their methods and techniques since ventilators ceased being available during the widespread pandemic.
Continuing your education in relevant courses can benefit from technological advancements in the respiratory care field. After all, the field requires skilled, knowledgeable, and trained therapists.
You get preference for leadership positions
Most healthcare facilities require their professionals to have CE credits to be eligible for promotions. You can be sure your course will include a wide range of relevant case studies and other information you need to achieve an edge. Online courses are recommended since they provide access to the study material anywhere. You can benefit from the added advantage of understanding the requirements of someone in an administrative role.
Continuing education can be helpful if you want to move up the ranks from a staff therapist to a shift supervisor and department manager. Depending on the state board, such as Florida or California, continuing education may also be required to maintain active license status. Online CE courses have tests at the end that need to be taken at the provider’s site. This will allow you to identify where you lack and make the necessary improvements.
The demand for respiratory care professionals is growing. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to boost your career.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest advancements
Continuing education units are designed to include the latest changes occurring in respiratory therapy. In accumulating this, you must ensure that you get your tests from an approved and accredited provider. The need for continuing education in healthcare practitioners, especially respiratory therapists, is well established. Professionals can be aware of the latest advancements in their field through interactive workshops, didactic lectures, formal seminars, and online courses.
How to Choose Respiratory Therapist CEUs Online?
These are a few steps that will help you find the right online course provider:
- Identify your continuing education goals.
- Focus on your learning objectives and whether the course provider will meet them
- Don’t hesitate to dabble in unfamiliar subjects and courses. This will help you spread your skill set.
- Seek challenging courses that help you further your career
- Make sure the course provider is accredited and approved by the AARC
Which RT Continuing Education Course Subjects are Available Online?
Respiratory therapy continuing education courses cover a wide range of content in advanced learning. Depending on the course provider and your state health board, you should be able to pick and choose among relevant topics.
The purpose of continuing education mandatory credits is to ensure that respiratory care professionals don’t lose touch with their theoretical knowledge. Here are some of the popular fields of interest where RT professionals pursue their continuing education:
- Tracheostomy & Aerodigestive Disorders
- Neonatal Pediatrics
- Sleep Disorders
- Asthma
- COVID-19 and MRSA
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Critical Care
- Ethics and Professional Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- State Laws and Rules for RT
- Patient Safety and Medical Errors
- Chronic Progressive Diseases
- Aerosolized Medications
- Chest Injuries
- Chest Tubes and Other Equipment
- Radiology and Pathology
- Aerosolized Poisoning
Find the Right RT CEUS Online Courses for Your Needs at TheCEPlace
TheCEPlace offers convenient, affordable, flexible, and high-quality online courses for respiratory therapists. You can find suitable courses that meet your specific needs at highly competitive rates. You get uninterrupted access to the online courses and can complete them comfortably at your own pace.
CE certificate is provided as soon as you pass the test. TheCEPlace is among the country’s top CE course providers for respiratory therapists. We are approved in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Get started on your continuing education credits today by calling us at 833-388-2600 or sign up with us online.