You can only live without air for a few minutes! Most people take breathing for granted! Yet for thousands of Americans who suffer from breathing problems, each breath is a major accomplishment. This is where respiratory therapists come in.
Respiratory therapists are the health care specialists who evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Respiratory Therapists interact with a diverse group of patients ranging from newborn and pediatrics to adults and the elderly.
The Respiratory Care program is interesting, challenging, and demanding. Our philosophy is to teach Respiratory Care knowledge and professionalism to enable students to excel in their profession. Once the students start the technical sequence, the program is 22 months in duration and includes one term of paid cooperative education and five terms of unpaid clinical experiences. Students additionally are able to apply for a student license after completing their first clinical rotation.
There is a great demand in the Cincinnati Tri-State area for Respiratory Therapists. Their skills are needed in acute care hospitals, extended care facilities, home care companies, and other facilities providing health care to persons with pulmonary or cardiac diseases.
Graduates will be prepared for …
The entry-level exam (CRT) given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). After successfully completing this exam, students are eligible to take the NBRC advanced practitioner exams (RRT) which include the written exam and the clinical simulation exam. The program prepares students to work in all care settings including the acute care setting (hospital) for both adults and children, home care, critical care, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Graduates will be able to perform all routine respiratory care procedures such as: aerosol therapy, oxygen therapy, continuous mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, and other specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Job Titles for Graduates…
Respiratory Therapist
Accreditation Awards:
The program is fully accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (727-210-2350) www.caahep.org upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas, 76021 (817-282-2835) www.coarc.com.
Employment Outlook…
Respiratory Care is an excellent field that is constantly growing and changing. The US department of Labor, Bureau of labor statistics reports: “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 the average for all occupations through the year 2012, because of substantial growth in numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population—a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.” http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos084.htm
Starting Salary for Graduates…
In the Cincinnati area, starting salaries are approximately $33,000 – 37,000. Nationally, the middle 50 percent earned between $34,430 and
$46,130.
Program Faculty…
Debra Lierl, M.Ed., RRT, FAARC – Program Director, http://faculty/debralierl email: debra.lierl@cincinnatistate.edu
Thomas Stormer, B.S.,RRT – Director of Clinical Education Email: thomas.stormer@cincinnatistate.edu
Michael Chaney, BAS, RRT, - Instructor email: michael.chaney2@cincinnatistate.edu
Co-op Employers and Clinical Sites…
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Health Alliance Hospitals
Mercy Health Partners Hospitals
PRO2 Home Care
Shriner’s Burn Institute
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
Tri-health Hospitals
Health Excel provides Health Technology students with educational and professional support to enhance their classroom learning experience and professional development. For further information click on the link below.
Curriculum