Respiratory Care Program Gains Outstanding Credentialing Status

The Respiratory Care Practitioner program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College has been recognized for the second year in a row for outstanding credentialing success. Program director Susan Pearson explained that the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award is presented as part of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care’s (CoARC) continuous efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement.

“From a program effectiveness standard, the CoARC views the RRT credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations,” Pearson said.

In selecting programs for the recognition, the CoARC Board uses objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics. Programs were required to have three or more years of outcomes data; hold accreditation without a progress report; document RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above; and meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success, retention, and on-time graduation rate.

“For three years in a row, 90 percent or more of our graduates have earned CRT credentialing,” Pearson said, explaining that registered respiratory therapists go through a two-step board exam process, Pearson said. They must first achieve CRT credentials to gain licensure and to work in the field. The next level of expertise is optional and extremely difficult and the national pass rate is just 55 percent.

“It really is quite an accomplishment to be recognized like this,” Pearson said. “Our program has a good reputation and lots of community support.”