As health care professionals engaged in the performance of cardiopulmonary care, the practitioners of this profession must strive to maintain the highest personal and professional standards. A most important standard in the profession is for that practitioner to serve as a role model in matters concerning health.
In addition to upholding the code of ethics of this profession by continually striving to render the highest quality of patient care possible, the respiratory care practitioner shall set himself/herself apart as a leader and advocate of public respiratory health.
The respiratory care practitioner shall participate in activities leading to awareness of the causes and prevention of pulmonary disease and the problems associated with the cardiopulmonary system.
The respiratory care practitioner shall support the development and promotion of pulmonary disease awareness programs, to include smoking cessation programs, pulmonary function screenings, air pollution monitoring, allergy warnings, and other public education programs.
The respiratory care practitioner shall support research in al l areas where efforts could promote improved health and could prevent disease.
The respiratory care practitioner shall provide leadership in determining health promotion and disease prevention activities for students, faculty, practitioners, patients, and the general public.
The respiratory care practitioner shall serve as a physical example of cardiopulmonary health by abstaining from tobacco use and shall make a special personal effort to eliminate smoking and the use of other tobacco products form his/her home and work environment.
The respiratory care practitioner shall uphold himself as a model for all members of the health care team by demonstrating his/her responsibilities and shall cooperate with other health care professionals to meet the health needs of the public.