Fellowship in Advanced Respiratory Care - Adult Critical Care (FARC-ACC)

(A Collaborative Fellowship Program by IARC and ISCCM)

Introduction and Scope of Practice:

Respiratory Therapists are allied health care professionals responsible for therapeutic and diagnostic aspects of patient care with diverse cardiopulmonary and related disorders. The scope of practice includes patients of all age groups and various areas of practice that includes, but not limited to different in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. (American Association of Respiratory Care; Position Statement; Scope of Practice- November 2018)

To become a qualified Respiratory Therapist, a candidate has to undergo rigorous training during his/her Bachelor Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Following the Bachelor Degree, he/she is eligible to do the Post-graduation (M.Sc.), specializing either in Adult Respiratory Care or in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care. In India, there are only a few Universities that offer Post Graduation in Respiratory Therapy.

Amongst all of the aforementioned areas of scope of practice, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of various hospitals across the country are in the need of ICU trained Respiratory Therapists. Considering to enhance the scope of Respiratory Therapists in Critical Care settings, Indian Association of Respiratory Care (IARC) has joined hands with Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), and developed a Unique Fellowship, intended for graduate Respiratory Therapists to equip them with sufficient academic and clinical knowledge to practice in Critical care.

The Fellowship in Advanced Respiratory Care- Adult Critical Care (FARC-ACC) is a one year (1 year) Fellowship designed to advance the knowledge and skills of a Respiratory therapist, who are working in the advanced clinical areas of Adult Critical Care. The Fellowship is a joint venture of IARC and ISCCM and follows the entry, coursework and exit requirements as set forth by both the societies.

Aim:

To design a structured Fellowship program for facilitating the specialization of Respiratory therapists to enhance their scope of practice in ICU.

Need of the Program:

There is a huge gap in the care of ICU patients associated with the advancement in disease specific mechanical ventilation strategies and ancillary therapies. Not many in the regular staff including medical registrars are competent to handle and troubleshoot issues arising out of this. Respiratory Therapists are allied health care professionals specialized in cardiopulmonary care and they can bridge the aforementioned gap in the clinical and technical areas of ICU.

Goals:

To create a pool of formally trained Respiratory Therapists, who are specialized in Critical care, to effectively manage mechanical ventilation, advanced respiratory care and ancillary therapies. This will enhance practice of safe ventilation and facilitate improvement in quality markers like ventilator associated events.

Duration of the Program:

One year

Mode of Study:

Residential, Full time

Entry Requirements:

• Minimum Criteria is a Graduation in Respiratory Therapy from any UGC approved University in India.
• Graduate Respiratory Therapists from Foreign Universities, upon the decision from the Board of Fellowship Study.
• Registered Member of IARC.
• Associate Life Membership of ISCCM.
• Fresh and Experienced Graduate Respiratory Therapists who fulfill the above criteria are eligible to apply.

Fellowship Center:

All Critical Care Medicine Departments, accredited by the ISCCM for conducting its courses (IDCCM, CTCCM, IDCCN) will be eligible to enroll Respiratory Therapists for this course. Each center can take up to a maximum of 2 RTs for one academic year. The IDCCM teachers will be the mentor along with a designated faculty from IARC who will also perform the duties of mentor.

Entry Criteria:

The candidate shall apply directly to the Head of Department of Critical Care of the hospital. The selection will be based upon the interview conducted by the Head of the Department of ICU Hospital and HR personnel.

Fellowship Fees:

INR 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), paid one-time to ISCCM. The fee includes all course and exam-related expenses.

Fellowship Stipend:

As per the hospital policy (Recommended minimum INR 25,000/- per month for 12 months).

Log Book:

Fellows must maintain a logbook documenting a minimum of 5 cases and 5 procedures per week, signed by the designated faculty. Continuous review and feedback must be provided.

Research, Journal Clubs and Publication:

• Complete a mandatory research module in the first 3 months (online/onsite).
• Complete and publish a short thesis and a case study (preferably in IJRC or IJCCM).
• Mandatory publications and certifications are required for Fellowship completion.
• Active participation in ICU journal club with documentation in logbook.

Additional Requirements:

• Attendance of ISCCM National Conference Mandatory
• Attendance and Paper Presentation in IARC National Conference Mandatory
• Attendance of one ECMO conference and Certification Optional
• Participation in Mechanical Ventilation Workshop by IARC or ISCCM Optional
• Completion of Online Course module (webinars) conducted by IARC and ISCCM Mandatory

Attendance Requirements:

48 hours/week × 48 weeks/year or as per Hospital Policy.

Leaves:

As per the Hospital Policy.

Teaching Methodology:

• Bedside Lectures
• Classroom Lectures
• Online Lectures (Zoom)
• Webinars

Fellowship Coursework:

• Logbook Completion
• Attendance
• Case Study & Thesis Publication
• National Conference Attendance
• Mechanical Ventilation Workshop (Optional)
• Online Course Modules Completion
• Competency Checklist (Mandatory)

Exit Exam:

The exit exam includes:

• Theory: Objective MCQ
• Practical: Viva, OSCE, Bedside – by external examiners from IARC & ISCCM

Accreditation of Fellowship:

1. Indian Association of Respiratory Care
2. Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine

Fellowship Board:

Award of Fellowship:

On successful completion of all requirements and the exit exam, candidates will be awarded the "Fellowship in Advanced Respiratory Care- Adult Critical Care (FARC-ACC)" at the ISCCM National Conference.

Mandatory Disclosures:

• FARC-ACC is a Clinical Fellowship and is not equivalent to M.Sc. RT or University-issued degrees.
• The Fellowship is not awarded by any University.
• The Fellowship aims to enhance clinical and academic skills in ICU respiratory care.

Use of Credential:

• Only certified Fellows can use "FARC-ACC" after their name.
• Use is restricted to professional identity (CVs, cards, email signatures).
• It must not be used to endorse products/services or modified in any way.

FARC – Curriculum Click Here