Respiratory Therapy - Sandhills Community College

Respiratory Therapy from Sandhills Community College is a Campus Associate Respiratory Care degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Careers in Respiratory Therapy As a health care profession, Respiratory Care is practiced under medical direction across the health care continuum. Respiratory Care is specifically focused on the prevention, assessment, treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, education, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Critical thinking, patient/environment assessment skills, and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines enable respiratory therapists to develop and implement effective care plans, protocols, disease-based clinical pathways, and disease management programs (AARC). About 90 percent of respiratory therapists work in hospitals with the department of respiratory care , anesthesiology, emergency medicine or pulmonary medicine. Therapists may assist physicians in clinical settings or operating rooms. Others work in diagnostic centers, extended care facilities, home health agencies, ambulance/transport services, and oxygen and medical equipment rental companies (AARC). Employment Prospects Employment of respiratory therapists (RTs) is expected to grow 19 percent, but the need for RTs will grow by up to 26 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing demand will come from substantial growth in the middle-aged and elderly population ? a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease. Growth in demand also will result from the expanding role of respiratory therapists in case management, disease prevention, emergency care , and the early detection of pulmonary disorders. With demand for RTs on the rise, salaries are following suit. According to the 2005 Human Resources study from the AARC, the projected average annual earnings of RTs working in the U.S. are $56,222. In this study, therapists just beginning their careers reported average annual earnings of $41,538 (AARC). Our Program Students will learn to master the skills necessary for patient assessment and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. These skills include life support, monitoring, drug administration, and the treatment of patients of all ages in a variety of settings. Graduates of accredited programs, such as ours, may be eligible to take entry-level examinations from the National Board of Respiratory Care. The entry-level exam is required by graduates to obtain their Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license from the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board. Graduates are also eligible for the Advanced Practitioner examination for a maximum of three years after passing the entry-level examination. View more details on Sandhills Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Respiratory Care courses.