Respiratory Therapist - Henry Ford Community College

Respiratory Therapist from Henry Ford Community College is a Campus Associate Respiratory Care degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. The Profession Respiratory therapists are health care professionals, dedicated to providing life-supporting, life-enhancing care to newborns, children, adults and the elderly. Respiratory therapists work under qualified medical direction to assess, treat, manage, provide diagnostic evaluation, educate and care for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. Therapists work throughout hospitals, most often in intensive care units and emergency settings. Therapists are a special blend of patient-centered caregivers and technically sharp, analytical thinkers. Some therapists concentrate on pulmonary rehabilitation and continuing care in patient homes or extended care facilities while others specialize in pediatric/neonatal care. The respiratory therapist may also work in areas such as cardiopulmonary diagnostics, medical equipment sales, management and education. The Program The respiratory therapist program provides a blend of classroom and clinical experiences. Program faculty work closely with clinical sites and employers to prepare graduates for today's rapidly changing health care environment. The first year of the program involves completion of technical and support courses. Beginning with the spring semester and throughout the second year of the program, students are required to complete advanced technical courses and a wide variety of clinical rotations. The technical and clinical courses will be conducted during the day. Support courses such as ENG 131 generally are available during both days and evenings. Program of Study The student must complete a total of 70-73 credits of course work (8 credits pre-admission coursework, 6 credits required General Education coursework, 7-10 credits required support courses and 49 credits required RTH courses). Due to the number of credit hours required for the program completion and the intensity of the program students are encouraged to complete as many of the support/General Education classes as possible prior to entering the program. The first courses that a student should complete are those required for program admission followed by the other required support/General Education courses. Career Opportunities The outlook for RTs has never been better. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to increase faster than average through the year 2012. View more details on Henry Ford Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Respiratory Care courses.