Respiratory Care, Health Science / A.S. Degree

OVERVIEW

Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a wide range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including such problems as asthma or heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs.

Under a physician’s supervision, respiratory care practitioners plan and assist with patient care and serve as a resource for professionals in other health care fields. They work in various settings, including hospital acute care and intensive care unites, hospital neonatal units (for premature infants), and outpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing home, home care and diagnostic laboratories.

This program is a sequence of lecture, laboratory and clinical courses, comprehensive on-site training provides opportunities for students to become skilled and confident in respiratory care procedures. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care examination to become registered Respiratory Therapists.

This program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

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JOB GROWTH & WAGES

The Projected Average Salary of respiratory therapists working in the U.S. is over $62,000 a year. In Massachusetts, respiratory therapists earn a median wage of $46,800 and $75,770. Salary ranges vary depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession, and location within the state. (www1.salary.com/MA/Springfield/Registered-Respiratory-Therapist-Salary)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the next decade. While U.S. employment in general is forecast to increase by 15 percent, the need for respiratory therapists will grow by up to 26 percent. (www.aarc.org)

POTENTIAL JOB TITLES Registered Respiratory Therapist Certified Respiratory Therapist Respiratory Therapy Dept Shift Supervisor Pulmonary Function technologist Pulmonary Rehabilitation therapist Neonatal/ Pediatric transport therapist

LOCAL EMPLOYERS Berkshire Medical Center Hillcrest Commons Flynn’s Pharmacy Pathways St Margaret’s Albany Medical Center Columbia Memorial Hospital