Letter: State board getting tough with therapists

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 | 8:56 a.m.

Anyone who has ever needed a respiratory therapist, or knows anyone who will, better pay attention! The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners is proposing regulations that may place hospital respiratory therapists, as I am, on the endangered species list.

Specifically, the board wants us to report all activities and places of residence since the age of 18. How does this information reflect my ability to practice? The board also wants a written statement citing our reasons every single time we change employment -- whether we are in the patient care field or manufacturing widgets. This not only violates my privacy rights, but again has nothing to do with my qualifications and skills as a respiratory therapist.

The board has proposed mandatory mental and physical examinations with no guidelines for these tests. If I refuse, I lose my license! (The word "witch-hunt" comes to mind.)

In addition, the proposed fees and fines will be difficult, if not prohibitive. After paying a $300 licensure fee (many times more than nurses pay), we work knowing we could face a potential $5,000 fine for violations. Our starting salary is $25,000 a year. That's 20 percent of our wages!

We are already registered with the National Board of Respiratory Care, and upon certification we are required to produce education, testing and work experience credentials. These proposed regulations are redundant, cumbersome and punitive.

So enjoy the air you breathe, because if the Nevada Board of Medical examiners has its way, there may be precious few respiratory therapists to help you ever breathe easily again.

ERIC SCHWEITZER