Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care is a challenging and rewarding healthcare specialty that deals with patients who have deficiencies and abnormalities of their cardiac and pulmonary systems. Under the direction of a doctor, respiratory therapy practitioners manage, treat, and evaluate patients with breathing problems.

Respiratory services include:

• Therapeutic and diagnostic use of medical gases and administration apparatus, environmental control systems, humidification, and aerosols
• Administration of drugs and medications to the cardiopulmonary system
• Ventilatory support, including the maintenance and management of life support systems
• Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises
• Respiratory rehabilitation
• Assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Maintenance of natural airways, including the insertion of and maintenance of artificial airways.

Respiratory services also include specific testing techniques to assist in research, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of those with cardiopulmonary disorders.

Respiratory Therapists work in a number of settings from acute critical care, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, physician offices, hospital emergency departments, pulmonary rehabilitation, home care, recovery room, pulmonary functions and more. Some graduates use Respiratory Care as a stepping stone into other health careers such as: echocardiography, anesthesia, physician assistant or as a perfusionist.

Length of Training:

Respiratory Therapist: 2 years

Aptitudes and Interests:

Science interest and aptitude. The desire to help people. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Self-motivation and personal satisfaction in a job well done.