Associate of Science Degree (Respiratory Care)

The respiratory care profession is composed of certified and registered respiratory therapists, who provide assistance to persons experiencing respiratory difficulty. They provide services ranging from simple respiratory care to complex life-saving techniques used in critical care settings for patients of all ages. Students in this program receive advanced training in critical care and advanced life support. They are involved in direct patient care in the administration of various humidity and aerosol therapies, breathing treatments and invasive critical care techniques. Respiratory therapists are involved in all aspects of respiratory care including newborn, emergency, diagnostics and chronic rehabilitative therapies.

Career Path

Most respiratory therapists participate in three phases of patient care: diagnosis, treatment and patient management, Respiratory Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Pulmonary Function Technologist, Sleep Technologist. While many respiratory therapists work in hospitals, some work in nursing care facilities or travel to patients' homes.