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Allied Health NetWorkHot TopicsBeing a Subject Matter Expert in the Field of Respiratory Care: A Less-Traveled Path According to the business management strategy Six Sigma, the subject matter expert (SME) is the individual who exhibits the highest level of expertise in performing a specialized job, task, or skill within an organization. SMEs are often asked to review, improve, and approve technical work, guide others, and teach. In the medical field context, SMEs are often called upon to work on transition programs, new computer-based electronic health record projects, or medical-legal reviews (up to and including giving expert testimony in court) about standards of care and best practices. Research-related projects concerning adaptation of equipment, pharmaceutical research (how a particular drug may affect lung function), or protocols as relating to the field of respiratory care also are an area of investigation. In respiratory care, medical record review and disease management also can be part of the work of an SME. As experts in the field, we learn to use our diverse training and assessment skills for all people—from newborn to geriatric—and for the different venues in which we practice our profession (eg, acute care hospitals, home care, long-term care facilities, adult and pediatric rehabilitation hospitals, sleep laboratories). Doing research and determining the standards of care in your community allows for an SME to understand if deviations from a particular standard are a normal variation to meet the needs of the patient or if potential harm occurred as the result of a therapist’s actions. This also includes written reports, depositions from lawyers and interested parties, and in-person testimony in a court of law. Respiratory care is not practiced the same in all states due, in part, to the practice and licensing acts of the 48 states that regulate our profession (two states do not have formal certification, or licensing boards). Alan Roth, MS, RRT-NPS
At the outset, allow me to extol the virtues of respiratory care management. While individual respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) can impact patients’ lives on a one-on-one basis, managers can develop care delivery systems that impact whole populations of patients. However, in my role as Chief Respiratory Therapist, department Director, and Clinical Specialist, I was obliged to work 5 days per week. This can compete with one’s family obligations and hobbies. A few years ago, I migrated away from management and now work as a bedside RCP. Actually, I had forgotten how rewarding this role can be. As opposed to my entry-level stint as a bedside practitioner, I can now apply almost 40 years of clinical experience to my bedside duties, allowing me to intervene in some situations that would have virtually stymied me when I was a neophyte. My work schedule is a dream! Three 12-hour shifts per week translate to 4 days off per 7-day time window—it’s almost like having a vacation every week. I had initially resigned myself to taking a considerable cut in pay in order to pursue this route but discovered that the life of an experienced clinical RCP can be surprisingly lucrative. In the absence of any additional shifts above my three-shifts-per-week commitment, my annual gross pay comes to slightly more than $102,000! A friend of mine who is also a therapist opined that “a lot of managers would, if they could, avoid what they feel is a loss of face, and go right back to treating patients at the bedside.” Unfortunately, I fear that he’s probably right. In that case, you can feel free to count me among the ranks of faceless and happy RCPs. Bob Demers, RRT |
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