Why Respiratory Therapy Program Important?

Respiratory therapists have a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy education program. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the organization that accredits schools of respiratory therapy and they maintain a listing of accredited respiratory therapist programs on their website.

CAAHEP collaborates with its Committees on Accreditation in the various health professions to review and accredit health science occupations’ educational programs. The Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the CAAHEP committee on accreditation for the respiratory therapy profession. The educational programs listed here offer respiratory therapy as a major field of study. Information is provided for each program and contains access to the program and program director contact information, and current accreditation status.

Be sure the program you choose is accredited. To find out why this is important, view the brief video entitled “Spotlight on Accreditation” provided by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). To assure that you can legally practice respiratory therapy after graduation you should enroll only in an accredited program.

Respiratory Therapy is a two-year program that prepares students to administer respiratory care and life support to patients with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Students work as technicians or registered respiratory therapists in a variety of job settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, oxygen equipment companies, and companies providing ambulance services. Respiratory therapists advance in clinical practice by moving from care of “general” to “critical” patients with problems in other organ systems such as the heart or kidneys. They may also advance to supervisory or management positions.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may also pursue careers in teaching, research, and health care management. Some practitioners leave the profession to work as sales representatives or as equipment designers for equipment manufacturers. Respiratory therapists perform chest physiotherapy, administer aerosol medications, deliver oxygen via mask, nasal cannula, or respirator, and evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of therapy. Respiratory care practitioners use special equipment to test lung capacity and to analyze pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the blood. They operate and maintain respiratory care equipment and record patient treatments and responses. As part of the health care team, respiratory therapists work closely with physicians and other allied health professionals.

Respiratory therapists generally work a 40-hour week. Because hospitals operate around the clock, therapists may work evenings, nights, or weekends. Respiratory therapists spend long hours standing and walking between patients’ rooms. In emergencies, they work under great stress. Respiratory therapists must adhere to proper procedures and safety precautions in order to avoid risks from infection and gases stored under pressure.

Most accredited respiratory therapist programs last two years and lead to an associate degree. Entrance requirements may include prerequisite study of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Individuals who want to enter the field of respiratory therapy should enjoy working with others and be sensitive to the physical and psychological needs of patients. Respiratory care workers must pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and work as part of a team. Some mechanical ability and manual dexterity is required to operate complex equipment.