Allied Health
Respiratory Care
Respiratory Care FAQs
- I have some questions about the application process here at JCC:
- Who are Respiratory Care Practitioners?
- What is the nature of their work/what do they do?
- Where do they work? Where are job opportunities available?
- What is the basic curriculum for a degree in Respiratory Care?
- What could I make in this line of work?
I have some questions about the application process here at JCC:
- How can I find out about hospital tours and information
sessions?
Our information sessions for Fall, 2009, are scheduled as follows:- Thurs., Aug. 20, from 1-2 PM.
- Thurs., Aug. 20, from 6-7 PM.
- Tues., Aug. 25, from 1-2 PM.
- Tues., Aug. 25, from 6-7 PM.
- What are the prerequisites for the Respiratory Care program?
They are:- BIO 132 (Human Biology) OR BIO 155 (Human Anatomy and Physiology) OR BIO 253 and BIO 254 (Human Anatomy and Physiology)
- MTH 131 (Intermediate Algebra)
- ENG 131 (Writing Experience)
- HOC 130 (Introduction to Health Occupations)
- MOA 120 (Medical Terminology)
- Do I need to complete ALL of the prerequisites
before my application will be considered?
Do I REALLY need to earn a 3.0 in each of the prerequisites before my application will be considered?
Yes. Your application will not even be considered unless you complete all of the program prerequisites with a 3.0. - Do I need to complete all of the prerequisites before the August
application deadline to be considered for that application year?
No. You need to complete the prerequisites by December. - When will I be notified if I have been accepted to the program?
Because some applicants will be enrolled in prerequisites they will not complete until December, then all applicants must wait to be notified until the grades for Fall term are submitted in December. - How are decisions made about who is accepted to the program?
Decisions are made strictly on the point system, which is spelled out within the application.
Who are Respiratory Therapists?
- Respiratory therapists are considered the go-to experts in their facilities for respiratory care technology. But their high tech knowledge isn't just limited to the equipment they use in their jobs. They also understand how to apply high tech devices in the care and treatment of patients, how to assess patients to ensure the treatments are working properly, and how to make the care changes necessary to arrive at the best outcome for the patient.
- The combination of these skills-hands on technical know-how and a solid understanding of respiratory conditions and how they are treated-is what sets respiratory therapists apart from the crowd and makes them such a crucial part of the health care team.
- Source: AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) website.
What is the nature of their work/what do they do?
- Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods.
- Interviewing patients and doing chest physical exams to determine what kind of therapy is best for their condition.
- Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on your evaluation of the patient.
- Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen and other gases.
- Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who can't breathe normally on their own.
- Responding to Code Blue or other urgent calls for care.
- Educating patients and families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery.
- Source: AARC website.
Where do they work? Where are job opportunities available?
- In hospitals giving breathing treatments to people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- In intensive care units managing ventilators that keep the critically ill alive.
- In emergency rooms delivering life-saving treatments.
- In newborn and pediatric units helping kids with conditions ranging from premature birth to cystic fibrosis.
- In operating rooms working with anesthesiologists to monitor patients' breathing during surgery.
- In patient's homes providing regular check-ups and making sure people have what they need to stay out of the hospital.
- In sleep laboratories helping to diagnose disorders like sleep apnea.
- In skilled nursing facilities and pulmonary rehabilitation programs helping older people breathe easier and get more out of life.
- In doctor's offices conducting pulmonary function tests and providing patient education.
- In asthma education programs helping kids and adults alike learn how to cope with the condition.
- In smoking cessation programs assisting those who want to kick the habit for good.
- In air transport and ambulance programs rushing to rescue people in need of immediate medical attention.
- In case management programs helping devise long-term care plans for patients.
- Source: AARC website.
- Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of substantial growth in the numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population-a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease-and because of the expanding role of respiratory therapists in the early detection of pulmonary disorders, case management, disease prevention, and emergency care.
- Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of therapists, a growing number can expect to work outside of hospitals in home health care services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners, or consumer-goods rental firms.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the basic curriculum for a degree in Respiratory Care?
- Formal training is necessary for entry into this field. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges such as JCC. An associate's degree is required for entry into the field.
- A program awarding the associate's degree will prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists.
- Among the areas of study in respiratory therapy are human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology, and mathematics.
- Other courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the application of clinical practice guidelines, patient care outside of hospitals, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory health promotion and disease prevention, and medical recordkeeping and reimbursement.
- The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers certification and registration to graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
- Two credentials are awarded to respiratory therapists who satisfy the requirements: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Graduates from accredited programs in respiratory therapy may take the CRT examination. CRTs who were graduated from advanced-level programs and who meet additional experience requirements can take two separate examinations leading to the award of the RRT credential.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Michigan now also requires respiratory therapists to obtain a license.
What could I make in this line of work?
- Median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $43,140 in May 2004.
- The middle 50 percent earned between $37,650 and $50,860. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,580.
- In general medical and surgical hospitals, median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $43,140 in May 2004.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
