Respiratory Therapy Technology - Moraine Valley Community College

Respiratory Therapy Technology from Moraine Valley Community College is a Campus Associate Respiratory Care degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. The Respiratory Therapy Technology Program provides students the education and training required to work as respiratory therapists in a variety of health care settings. As part of the health care team, respiratory therapists are involved in caring for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages in areas ranging from health promotion and disease prevention, to acute care management of life-threatening illness. Respiratory therapists provide life support in the form of mechanical ventilation, perform case management, pulmonary rehabilitation, patient, family, and community education, smoking prevention and cessation, and diagnostic testing. Although most respiratory therapists work in acute care hospitals, job opportunities exist in long-term care facilities, clinics, physician offices, diagnostic laboratories, and in-home care. This two-year program begins with the fall term and includes four semesters and one summer session. Health Science programs conduct a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs, and clinical assignments. Clinical rotations are conducted onsite at a variety of hospitals, generally during the daytime, with start times as early as 6:30 a.m. Holding a full-time job while in the program may affect your success and is not recommended. Students may take general education classes in the morning afternoon, evening, weekends or online, if available. These can be completed within five years of entering the program. Completion of this program is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year-college or university to obtain a bachelor?s degree using the courses from this program, speak with an academic advisor to review your options. Employment Outlook? 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 2016, 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. Nature of Work? In the hospital, respiratory therapists often work in high stress environments. Therapists are involved in all areas of intensive care, emergency room traumas, and end-of life care for dying patients. Respiratory therapists draw blood, and see patients with various traumatic injuries on a regular basis. Students are strongly encouraged to consider their ability to handle emotional aspects of death and dying, and see blood and body fluids. Respiratory therapists are staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Most hospital therapists stand and walk all day, and need to be able to lift and move relatively heavy objects. Related Job Title? Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Technician , Respiratory Care Practioner. View more details on Moraine Valley Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Respiratory Care courses.