Award-Winning Publications

As an AARC member, you'll have a single source for authoritative, up-to-date information so critically needed in our rapidly changing health care environment.

Respiratory Care Journal -- The foremost scientific journal in the respiratory care profession, publishing original research, case reports, reviews, book critiques, letters, and monthly features on chest radiographs, pulmonary function tests, and blood gas analyses.

AARC Times Magazine -- The premier news and feature magazine of the profession with management tips, educational articles, human interest features, how-to articles, profiles of leaders in the profession, reports on current government trends, and job opportunities nationwide.

Information Resources

AARC Report -- A monthly newsletter with fast-breaking news about Association activities.

AARC Staff -- Just contact us. The AARC staff in Dallas is always ready to help you find answers to any of your questions. The Executive Office in Dallas contains a repository of information about many issues affecting the profession. Our staff is trained to locate resources that will help you do your job.

Publications -- A number of publications help you do your job better: The Uniform Reporting Manual, A Study of Respiratory Care Human Resources in Hospitals, A Study of Chronic Ventilator Patients in the Hospital, and A Study of Respiratory Care Practice.

Advocacy and Awareness

Government Representation -- A full-time director of government affairs works for you in Washington, DC, and helps the Association leaders plan strategies for introducing legislation and influencing regulatory activities on reimbursement issues, research projects, consumer protection, smoking laws -- anything affecting the provision of quality respiratory care.

Public Relations -- The AARC represents you to the media, other organizations, the general public, and the health care industry. Since initiating our coordinated public awareness program, we have become the recognized leader and expert on respiratory care issues by such publications as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, HealthWeek, and others in the health and medical media. The Association's "Marketing the RCP" project is increasing the awareness of the value of the respiratory care practitioner in the health care delivery system to hospital administrators, senior management of subacute organizations, medical directors, and other gatekeepers of health care practice.

State Government Affairs -- The AARC's director of state government affairs works with the AARC's affiliates to bring licensure on-line in all 50 states and to help strengthen current acts. The AARC supports its chartered affiliates financially in these endeavors through grant and loan programs. In addition, emphasis is placed on assisting with other issues on the state level. These include health reform bills, laboratory issues, long-term care, and Medicaid concerns.

Standards -- The AARC promotes standards of excellence in ethics, education, administration, and technical performance for respiratory care practitioners. These standards represent the AARC's position on the provision of quality respiratory care in this country.

Clinical Practice Guidelines -- Recognizing that our health care system will require even more accountability and validity in the future, the AARC has embarked on a multiyear project to write clinical practice guidelines for all respiratory care modalities.

Liaison Activities -- We appoint representatives to all accrediting, credentialing, standards, medical, regulatory, and legislative organizations that may have an impact on this profession.

Personal and Professional Services

Accidental Death and Dismemberment -- You receive a $10,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy through the AARC.

Personal Insurance Programs -- All AARC members have access to the advantages of a variety of AARC-sponsored group insurance plans through our association with Marsh Affinity Services.

• For professional liability, get an instant quote online!
• View details on other choices such as life, disability income, and medical insurance.

When you are planning for your financial future, take a look at two new supplemental insurance options -- Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Plan and Long Term Care Choice Plan.

MBNA Platinum Plus® Credit Card Support the AARC with every purchase you make. No Annual Fee, Low Introductory Annual Percentage Rate. Built-in fraud protection. Higher credit line. Unparalleled 24-hour Customer Satisfaction. Worldwide acceptance at millions of locations. For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of the AARC Platinum Plus credit card, or to apply, call 1-800-932-2775 and mention Priority Code SYM9.

MBNA WorldPoints Program^SM -- With the AARC MBNA WorldPoints credit card, members receive special rewards, including everything from discounts on travel and merchandise to gift certificates to cash rewards. Cardholders receive one point for every purchase dollar they spend, to be applied to the reward of their choosing. Visit the WorldPoints website for full information. For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of the AARC Platinum Plus WorldPoints credit card, or to apply, call 1-800-932-2775 and mention Priority Code CTG8.

Discount Auto Insurance -- AARC members may qualify for discounts on automobile insurance through GEICO. Call 1-800-368-2734 today to see how much you may save and be sure to mention that you are an AARC member. If you currently have a GEICO policy, be sure to call and identify yourself as an AARC member and see if you are eligible for the member discount. Or go to the GEICO site for a free rate quote.

Discounted Magazine Subscriptions -- Over 500 titles are available at up to 80% off newsstand prices. Plus, the program guarantees that it will match the lowest prices of any magazine program available ensuring you the lowest cost for your subscription. Choose from selections covering news, sports, fitness, entertainment, hobbies, family, and education -- you are sure to find what you're looking for -- at the guaranteed lowest introductory price available! Find out more about the AARC Magazine Program.

Discounted Flower Arrangements -- A pretty new perk for AARC members at The Flower Club. Save 10% on every flower order! There are hundreds of arrangements to choose from. Same day delivery is available in most areas, too. Order 24 hours a day by calling (800) 800-7363 or view these beautiful arrangements and order online. Whether calling or using the online order, be sure to give them the promotion code ARCMIS.

Real Estate Rebates -- AARC members who buy and/or sell a home through Coldwell Banker's Real Estate Advantage Program are eligible to earn a cash rebate based on the buying or selling price of their home. Buy AND sell with a Coldwell Banker referred realtor (who may be from ANY real estate firm you choose!) and you'll earn TWO rebates. Rebates range from $300 for a home between $50K and $99K to $1,625 for homes $600K and up. Find out more about the new Real Estate Advantage Program.

Employment Opportunities -- Look to the AARC's publications to find out about some of the exciting job opportunities around the country.

Chartered Affiliates -- By joining the AARC, you have access to a state society for respiratory care. As an AARC member, you may automatically qualify for membership at the state level, or you may have to pay only a nominal fee to join your state chartered affiliate. There are also international affiliates in Mexico, Italy, and Central America. Twelve dollars of your Active and Associate dues paid to the AARC goes to your chartered affiliate.

Membership Certificate -- With your membership, you receive a handsome certificate, a testimony of your professional commitment to respiratory care.

Promotional Support -- Promotional items for distribution at health fairs are made available at discounted prices to members. These items help raise the visibility of the profession and the AARC. We also have available a number of health tips resources and brochures.

Specialty Sections -- Network with your peers who specialize in diagnostics, continuing care/rehabilitation, management, education, adult acute care, perinatal/pediatric care, subacute care, transport, or home respiratory care. Join a specialty section and get involved. Special newsletters and other items of interest are mailed to all members of the specialty sections, and section membership costs only a nominal fee.

Respiratory Care Week -- Each year, the Association sponsors a national recognition week -- the last week in October -- for its practitioners. During this week, hospitals recognize the work of respiratory care practitioners throughout the year, and, in addition, many RC departments hold open houses, sponsor special activities for the public, and perform community service work to help raise the profile of the profession.

Professional Promotion -- The AARC promotes the profession of respiratory care by engaging in special projects from time to time such as Peak Performance USA, which brings respiratory care practitioners to schools to provide education on managing asthma.

Education

CRCE Accreditation -- The Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) system approves and accredits educational programs, assuring their value to your continuing education needs.

Continuing Education Transcripts -- The CRCE system provides you with a transcript of all your continuing education activities to use as proof of attendance at educational meetings.

Degree Completion -- Through a special arrangement with Western Michigan University, members who hold an RRT credential can obtain advanced standing and work toward a bachelor's degree at in-state tuition rates. College credit is also awarded for work performed in conjunction with attendance at Summer Forums and Annual Meetings.

Current Concepts in Cardiopulmonary Care -- An educational videotape series of lectures by some of the country's most respected and knowledgeable physicians and respiratory therapists brings such experts as Neil MacIntyre, MD; David J. Pierson, MD; Robert M. Kacmarek, PhD, RRT; and Robert Chatburn, RRT, into your hospital or living room.

IISPs -- Individual Independent Study Packages are self-study modules on three different clinical topics. You can improve your knowledge on your own time. Topics on clinical science, patient evaluation, and clinical practice, as well as a series on smoking cessation, are featured.

Meetings

AARC Annual Meeting -- The largest cardiopulmonary show in the world attracts more than 7,000 attendees. This four-day meeting features thought-provoking lectures, an exchange of information between you and your peers, and a state-of-the-art exhibit hall with the latest in cardiorespiratory care technology.

Symposiums -- Symposiums held in conjunction with the convention offer a thorough review of important professional and clinical issues. Topics range from a review of government regulations and laws affecting respiratory care practice to in-depth discussions of controversies in practice.

Summer Forum -- Each summer, management and education topics are featured in a three-day forum. Presentations from experts in general and health care management provide RC managers with the tools to help them direct RC services today. Educators review curriculum ideas, clinical improvements, examination preparation -- topics designed to keep them on the cutting edge of RC education.

Videoconferences -- Each year, the AARC sponsors satellite videoconferences, featuring clinical and management topics, that earn members continuing education credit.

Active Member -- Voting privileges, full membership benefits, and the ability to hold office are extended to all Active Members. Active Members are those practitioners working directly in patient care and include staff therapists, staff technicians, managers of RC departments, and RC educators. Active Members can work in hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home care companies.

Associate Member -- Available to anyone who is working in a field related to the practice of respiratory care. Those working in medical equipment sales or manufacturing, physicians, other allied health practitioners not engaged in direct respiratory patient care, and individuals residing in foreign countries can be Associate Members. Associate Members cannot vote or hold office, but they have the full package of membership benefits.

Student Member -- Any respiratory care student enrolled in an AARC recognized or accredited educational program is eligible for Student Membership. Student Members are not enrolled in the CRCE program.

Special Member -- A Special Member is an individual who has an interest in respiratory care but does not work in a field related to respiratory care. Special Members have the same rights and privileges as Associate Members.

Additional Information

If you would like to receive additional information about the AARC, please contact:

American Association for Respiratory Care
9425 N. MacArthur Blvd. Suite 100
Irving, TX 75063
(972) 243-2272
Fax (972) 484-2720
E-mail: info@aarc.org