The AARC established the Apex Recognition Award several years ago to acknowledge hospitals, educational programs, home medical equipment companies, long-term care facilities, and dedicated transport teams that have not just met but exceeded all expectations for excellence in the provision of respiratory care.
The next application cycle for this prestigious award, which carries a two-year designation for the facilities that receive it, will gear up on May 1, and organizations that are interested in applying are encouraged to visit the Apex page on the AARC website to learn more about the requirements and the application process. While the Apex Award continues to be a two-year award, applications are now being accepted annually.
Two changes will streamline the process
For new and returning Apex applicants, we have some exciting news to report here.
First, thanks to the efforts of Claire Aloan, MSEd, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, her colleagues on the Apex Committee, and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), the NBRC will now be providing documentation on NBRC credentials for all Apex applicants.
“Applicants will simply be asked to provide the last four digits of the social security number for all staff members, along with their dates of birth, to take advantage of this service,” said Aloan. “We anticipate this will greatly streamline the application process for hospitals in particular, many of which have hundreds of people on their rosters.”
The second positive development for applicants is the removal of the requirement to provide state licenses for all their staff members. Applicants will still need to enter a license number for each staff member on their rosters, but copies of the actual licenses do not need to be uploaded to the folder.
Ensuring a smooth review
Aloan and her committee would also like applicants to be aware of the following in order to ensure a smooth review of their applications –
- Be aware that the Requirements call for all staff members to hold an NBRC credential, 80% of staff members to have an RRT, 50% to be current AARC members, and 50% to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Make sure you meet these and other noted core requirements outlined in the standards before applying to Apex.
- Be sure to use the Excel file provided in the Requirements Document to prepare your roster, and place your staff members on the roster in alphabetical order from A to Z. Using anything except the provided file will result in a significant slowdown of your review.
- If you will be providing documents for women that were issued in their maiden name, be sure to indicate the maiden name on your roster so that you can get credit for those documents during your review.
- The application cycle for 2024-2025 will open on May 1 and close on August 1. Applicants are urged to submit their completed folders as soon as possible after the May 1 opening to ensure the AARC can review all of the applications and announce the award winners by mid-September. All requested information must be submitted on or before the August 1 deadline.
“Apex brings great value to organizations that receive the award in terms of recognition from organizational leadership, the community, and staff members who can take pride in the accomplishment,” said Claire Aloan. “Take a few moments out of your day to review the requirements, and if you find you meet them, consider applying for the 2024-2025 award. Please reach out using the form on the Apex website page if you have any questions.”
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Debbie Bunch is an AARC contributor who writes feature articles, news stories, and other content for Newsroom, the AARC website, and associated emailed newsletters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, photography, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Connect with Debbie by email or on AARConnect or LinkedIn.
