Department of HHS Renews its call for RTs to assist in Disaster Teams

November 22, 2006

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has reissued the job application aimed at recruiting respiratory therapists to be part of any mass casualty or disaster response effort

The continuing focus on the part of HHS to recruit respiratory therapists highlights the importance of the RT professional as part of any cadre of federal personnel that will assist the country's citizens in case of a manmade or natural disaster.

This summer the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness specifically sent a letter to the AARC and its members asking respiratory therapists to fill an important role in our nation's disaster response.

"With certain types of disasters, we anticipate the need for professionals who can administer complex respiratory therapy treatments to critically ill patients," says the letter from RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, MD. "AARC provides a crucial communications link between HHS and the respiratory care community."

The letter states that individuals should be:

• graduates of an accredited school
• hold a state license
• hold an RRT or CRT credential through the NBRC

Does this sound like something that would interest you? If so, read the letter from Assistant Secretary and apply online at the HHS website.