Respiratory Care Program receives Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

For the fourth consecutive year, Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program has received the Distinguished RRT (registered respiratory therapist) Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The award is presented as part of CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement. With a focus on program effectiveness, 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.

“It is an honor to receive this award, which is a testament to the success of Polk State’s program to prepare its students and graduates for success in the field of respiratory care,” Program Director Kathee Ford said.

When selecting programs for the recognition, the CoARC Board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics documented in the 2017 Annual Report of Current Status. These programs are required to: (1) have three or more years of outcome data; (2) hold accreditation without a progress report; (3) document RRT credentialing success of 90% or above, and (4) meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT (certified respiratory therapist) credentialing success, attrition, and positive job placement.

Polk State’s Respiratory Care Program RRT credentialing success for 2014 – 2016, the time period considered for this award, was more than 97 percent. The program’s CRT credentialing success for all graduating years is 100 percent.

CoARC will recognize Polk State’s Respiratory Care Program during an awards ceremony in July.