Code of Massachusetts Regulations
261 CMR - BOARD OF RESPIRATORY CARE
Title 261 CMR 2.00 - Licensure and practice
Section 2.02 - Definitions
For the purpose of 261 CMR, the terms listed shall have the following meaning:
AARC means the American Association for Respiratory Care.
Board means the Board of Registration of Respiratory Care.
CRCE means the Continuing Respiratory Care Education system of the AARC.
CRT means the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential issued by the NBRC.
License means a license issued by the Board in accordance with 261 CMR 3.06: Criteria and Application for Licensure.
Licensed Respiratory Therapist means a person licensed in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 23R through 23BB, and 261 CMR 3.06: Criteria and Application for Licensure.
Licensure Examination means the National Board for Respiratory Care Certification Examination for Entry-level Respiratory Therapy Practitioners or CRT.
Limited License means a license issued by the Board in accordance with and subject to restrictions contained within 261 CMR 3.07: Limited Licensure.
MSRC means the Massachusetts Society for Respiratory Care.
NBRC means the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Respiratory Care means the health profession that, under direction of a licensed physician who, has special expertise in respiratory care, utilizes the application of scientific principles for the identification, prevention, remediation, research, and rehabilitation of acute or chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction thereby producing optimum health and function. Respiratory care practice includes, but is not limited to, the therapeutic and diagnostic use of the following as ordered by a physician: medical gases; gas administering devices; humidification and aerosols; administration of medications consistent with M.G.L. c. 94C; support services for mechanically ventilated patients; postural drainage; bronchopulmonary hygiene; breathing exercises; respiratory rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Advanced Cardiac Life Support, maintaining natural and artificial airways; the understanding and reporting of tests as aids to diagnosis or the planning of treatment programs. Respiratory care shall also include the measuring of ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows; collecting specimens of blood and other materials; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), pulmonary function testing; hemodynamic and other related physiologic monitoring of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory care shall also include teaching both patient and family respiratory care procedures as part of a patient's ongoing program; consultation services for health educational and community agencies. Respiratory care shall also include teaching of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to perform the above mentioned activities. Respiratory Care is a changing and evolving profession and shall also include Board-approved procedures described by the Clinical Practice Guidelines of the AARC and AARC Position Statements, and duties consistent with the training and education of respiratory care personnel or related to the practice of respiratory care, as approved by the Board.
Respiratory Care Program means the supervised course of study leading to a degree or certificate in respiratory care which is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and approved by the Board.
RRT means the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential issued by the NBRC.
Supervisor means the director of the respiratory care department or his or her designee, provided such director or designee is a respiratory therapist, and is on the premises and readily available to give aid, direction, and instruction to a person rendering respiratory care services pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 23T and 23V(c) and 261 CMR 2.08.
