The leadership of the AARC, ARCF, CoARC, and NBRC will present the most updated information affecting the profession, research, accreditation, and credentialing. This is a must-attend session on your agenda!

Complex ethical cases regarding end of life or chronic disease care can be complicated and emotionally draining. Teaching ethical issues in all learning domains (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective) can be equally complex and is a mandate for CoARC accreditation. This lecture will focus on the complexities of end-of-life care, the issues of palliative medicine and advanced directives, and on alternative teaching strategies to enhance learning for students and practitioners.

Accreditation readiness is a vital component of respiratory care leadership roles and preparing your team can be overwhelming. This interactive presentation will provide attendees with practical solutions and tips to help set the stage for a successful survey.

Health care providers involved in an unanticipated adverse event, medical error, and/or a patient-related injury may experience trauma, defined as a second victim experience (SVE). Students and new staff are more prone to SVE’s, which places them at high risk for lack of engagement, burnout, and leaving the profession. Resources for supporting student engagement and following SVE’s in the clinical learning space will be reviewed.

The AARC Apex Recognition Award is a premier recognition program for respiratory care departments. Achieving Apex distinguishes a facility by demonstrating that they have a commitment to excellence in professional development, evidenced-based care, patient safety, and quality improvement. In this presentation, panelists will discuss key elements needed to achieve Apex, including tips on how they were able to evaluate their teams for Apex recognition.

Respiratory therapist- driven protocols can facilitate the delivery of evidence-based respiratory care. The idea of utilizing protocols is sound, but how do we get there? This lecture will explore the value and importance of respiratory therapist- driven protocols within a department and an organization. Important steps to consider during the creation and implementation stages of protocols will be discussed.

The AARC Apex Recognition Award is a premier recognition award for respiratory care educational programs. The Apex Recognition Award helps consumers make choices about their education by recognizing entry-to-practice and degree advancement programs that promote high quality education and evidence-based medicine. In this presentation, panelists will discuss key elements needed to achieve Apex and share lessons learned for all educators.

Based on the speaker’s TEDx Talk, this lecture will provide the attendees with insight into the predicted future of the RT profession, challenge them to choose their goals and career paths, and provide tools to help them make it happen. The Choose, Find, Identify, and Do philosophy will help the attendees “Build the Castle” for their careers.