Under the direct supervision of a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, as required by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (NCRCB), the Respiratory Care Assistant will assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders, performing duties as listed in the Declaratory Ruling issued by the NCRCB on July 8, 2021. They must also be able to calibrate, clean and maintain diagnostic equipment and recognize when equipment malfunctions.

Educational Requirements:

Enrolled in a recognized Respiratory Care Program that has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care or its predecessor.

The Educational Institution must verify that the Respiratory Care student is in good standing, with a minimum grade of at least 2.0 in all Respiratory courses and an overall average of 2.0 must be maintained. If the academic status of the Respiratory Care student changes (e.g. failure, removal, or withdrawal from the program), the Educational Institution must notify the employing facility and the NCRCB as soon as possible, and no later than five (5) business days after the student's change in status.

The Educational Institution must verify to the employing facility that the Respiratory Care student has successfully completed a competency evaluation that certifies the student to be competent in all of the following Respiratory Care procedures:

* Oxygen Supply Systems

* Equipment Processing

* Manual Resuscitation

* Oxygen Administration

* Humidity and Aerosol Therapy

* Small Volume Nebulizer Therapy

* MDI Administration

* Incentive Spirometry

* Non-invasive Mechanical Airway Clearance Therapy

* Chest Physiotherapy with suctioning

* Arterial Puncture

* Electrocardiogram (if performed by the hiring facility)

* Patient Reporting

Employment Requirements:

The employing facility will have the Respiratory Care Assistant complete competency evaluations on the procedures they are eligible to perform (as listed above), prior to independent performance.

The job classification denoted by the employing facility will be Respiratory Care Assistant and the RCA will wear a name tag with this designation at all times, including name and title "Respiratory Care Assistant".

The Respiratory Care Assistant must maintain, at a minimum, certification in Basic Life Support which includes Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use.

The Respiratory Care Assistant will not replace any licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner on any shift, nor will the RCA be given an individual assignment, but instead will work with the RCP(s) on their assignments.

The Respiratory Care Assistant must maintain BCLS credentials while employed.

The Respiratory Care Assistant, upon employment, must register with the NCRCB where the approval will be visible on the online verification system, and must be supplied to the employing facility.

The Respiratory Care Assistant may not remain in the RCA status more than a total of 12 months or until they are licensed by the NCRCB, whichever comes first.