ACLS

I had a job interview the other day, and my interviewer asked me if I had my ACLS...which I don't...do most hospitals require you to obtain this before you start working?? What differs from ACLS than basic life support certification (CPR cert)?

dolly823 in Rockford, Illinois said: I had a job interview the other day, and my interviewer asked me if I had my ACLS...which I don't...do most hospitals require you to obtain this before you start working?? What differs from ACLS than basic life support certification (CPR cert)?

ACLS incorporates cardiac arrthymias, heart attack care, stroke care, emergency medications, defibrillation, cardioversion and advanced airways along with a whole lot more. BLS is a 4 hour class whereas ACLS is 16 hour two day class. I think all RT's should have ACLS, PALS, BLS and NRP but generally acute hospitals where you might work in the ICU or ER it is usually required.

In ACLS you're able to give meds during life support efforts...

Sha0620 in Atlanta said: In ACLS you're able to give meds during life support efforts...

NO. No RT can give meds in a code, only the Nurse or Doctor.Only thing we can do is intubate, if no Dr is available. But that is mostly in LTAC's or smaller rural hospitals.But all hospitals have their own policy's.Fl is a state were all Rt's must have the skill.But no were in our license per state, is written to allow an RT to push IV meds,just because you have ACLS, doesnt mean you can.Same in PAL's and NAL's.I have been a RT for 10yrs and have never met an RT who gives IV meds. It would be a serious risk,and liablity.You always and will have at least 2-5 RN's and all from ICU- CVICU to assist.

Mark RCP in Texas said: NO. No RT can give meds in a code, only the Nurse or Doctor.Only thing we can do is intubate, if no Dr is available. But that is mostly in LTAC's or smaller rural hospitals.But all hospitals have their own policy's.Fl is a state were all Rt's must have the skill.But no were in our license per state, is written to allow an RT to push IV meds,just because you have ACLS , doesnt mean you can.Same in PAL's and NAL's.I have been a RT for 10yrs and have never met an RT who gives IV meds. It would be a serious risk,and liablity.You always and will have at least 2-5 RN's and all from ICU- CVICU to assist.

hi can you please help me. i want to become an RT and i have researched many many websites, talked to RT and all. but i still have some questions to be answered and i am begging for answers. please send me an email saying that you are willing to help me at gowsi2003@hotmail.com then i will ask those questions.

some questions i got are:

where and how do you specialize. for example, if i go to college and get my diploma i have to do 2 exams right? one is to become CRT then another to RRT. right? after that is is very hard to get a job as you have to do specialization such as NRP ACLs and so on...i really want to work with children (pediatric) and in emergecny...so what specialization should i do? when do i get those? are those 1 year programs? how long wud it take for me to complete those? also is it a girls or guys job? (RT) can you give me the percentage? is there any stereotype abt this job...i will ask other question in ma email..

thanks alot.

help me in Toronto, Ontario said: hi can you please help me. i want to become an RT and i have researched many many websites, talked to RT and all. but i still have some questions to be answered and i am begging for answers. please send me an email saying that you are willing to help me at gowsi2003@hotmail.com then i will ask those questions.

some questions i got are:

where and how do you specialize. for example, if i go to college and get my diploma i have to do 2 exams right? one is to become CRT then another to RRT. right? after that is is very hard to get a job as you have to do specialization such as NRP ACLs and so on...i really want to work with children (pediatric) and in emergecny...so what specialization should i do? when do i get those? are those 1 year programs? how long wud it take for me to complete those? also is it a girls or guys job? (RT) can you give me the percentage? is there any stereotype abt this job...i will ask other question in ma email..

thanks alot.[/QUOTE

Maybe I can help answer some of your questions. NRP, ACLS and PALS are all American Heart Association classes (NRP is American Academy of Pediatrics) so I'm not sure the relevance or how they quantify in Canada; however these are NOT specializations. Anyone can take them granted you have BLS. They in no way make you qualified to work in NICU, with PEDS or emergency. They simply give you some knowledge on how to do so. You must complete a 2 year program earn at least an AS degree, take and pass your CRT. Then you are free to work as an RT. You then can take your RRT and NPS, CPFT and so on. Specializing in RT is a matter of experience and learning the skills on the job. You dont specialize in emergency care, most RT's are expected to know these basic skills. PEDS and NICU you can specialize in but usually requires some experience first; NRP and possibly NPS.

BoredRT in Overland Park, Kansas said:

hi again,...

ok so here is the full details. after i get my bio major i am thinking of going to a college in ontario, canada. after completing the 2 or 3 (mostly 3) years of study i will get a RESPIRATORY THERAPY DIPLOMA.

after that what do i do? do i take the exams to become CRT then RRT?

if so,..after taking that exam and passing it what do i do? for example, how do i specialize in RT? what kind of specializations are there?

so you are saying that after getting my diploma and passing the exam to become CRT i can start working? but some hospitals need some specilization such as "specialize in arteiry tube insertion" and so on...:S...so before i can apply for that i need to get that specialization so where and how do i take it? how long would it take it?

thank

sry if i dont make sense, bc i am kind of confused in this...but if u can add me on msn or watever it ll be really really helpful :) 30 min is enof...

ALSO CAN U GIVE ME THE FEMLAE TO MALE RATIO IN THIS FIELD?

thnxx

help me in Toronto, Ontario said: hi can you please help me. i want to become an RT and i have researched many many websites, talked to RT and all. but i still have some questions to be answered and i am begging for answers. please send me an email saying that you are willing to help me at gowsi2003@hotmail.com then i will ask those questions.

some questions i got are:

where and how do you specialize. for example, if i go to college and get my diploma i have to do 2 exams right? one is to become CRT then another to RRT. right? after that is is very hard to get a job as you have to do specialization such as NRP ACLs and so on...i really want to work with children (pediatric) and in emergecny...so what specialization should i do? when do i get those? are those 1 year programs? how long wud it take for me to complete those? also is it a girls or guys job? (RT) can you give me the percentage? is there any stereotype abt this job...i will ask other question in ma email..

thanks alot.[/QUOT
Start from the beginning, I believe, you have to pass your CRT and Then take your RRT before or as soon as you graduate.But yes, most schools now, require you to pass these exams. I am a CRT, but have 10yrs and took my tests 10yrs ago, so things have changed. Check with the NBRC.org to get what you need. But ACLS,and NRP are just extra creditials. Most RT dept's require you have them to work,exp in ICU or NICU.Then again, most hospitals, wont let you work in the unit, until you have at least 6 to 1yr of floor experience.You can get cross trained in NICU,then ER,etc, just be eager to work in that unit. I feel there is no stereotypes in our field, as like in Nursing,which is mainly a female dominated field.In RT, not sure the ratio, but remember a ratio, I saw last yr, more men to females.
Anymore questions,just ask.

thanks a lott!! if i do have any questions how can i get a hold of you? do you got an email that i can contact you or should i just post it here? i would like it if i can contact through email or something. because i am currently going in to third year in my bio major and would be really great if i have an CRT like you to help me out.

again, thanks a lot.

help me in Hamilton, Ontario said: hi again,...

ok so here is the full details. after i get my bio major i am thinking of going to a college in ontario, canada. after completing the 2 or 3 (mostly 3) years of study i will get a RESPIRATORY THERAPY DIPLOMA.

after that what do i do? do i take the exams to become CRT then RRT?

if so,..after taking that exam and passing it what do i do? for example, how do i specialize in RT? what kind of specializations are there?

so you are saying that after getting my diploma and passing the exam to become CRT i can start working? but some hospitals need some specilization such as "specialize in arteiry tube insertion" and so on...:S...so before i can apply for that i need to get that specialization so where and how do i take it? how long would it take it?

thank

sry if i dont make sense, bc i am kind of confused in this...but if u can add me on msn or watever it ll be really really helpful :) 30 min is enof...

ALSO CAN U GIVE ME THE FEMLAE TO MALE RATIO IN THIS FIELD?

thnxx

Are you planning on working in Canada or the US, because the "rules" are different. Once you graduate from a recognized program in Ontario (There are a few schools: Michener, Conestoga, Fanshawe, and a few others I think), you go from Student Respiratory Therapist to Graduate Respiratory Therapist. You then go on to challenge the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care (CBRC) Exam. Once this is passed (and you have 3 chances), you become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. I believe in the US, there are a few different tests you have to take and the role of the Respiratory Therapist is very different depending on your credentials. Further, depending on where you want to work in Canada, you have to become a part of the RT governing body. For example, in Ontario that is the Canadian Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; in BC, there is no governing body.

Good luck with your studies!

in my class, mostly females; depends th