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Respiratory Care (A.S. Degree)

Program Requirements:
  • PDF Respiratory Care Curriculum Guide (A.S. Degree)
    (Click this link to view the curriculum guide in PDF format. The curriculum guide outlines the course requirements for the degree program. It also includes the application and program admission criteria).
  • PDF Polysomnography Technology (Advanced Technical Certificate)
    (Click this link to view the curriculum guide in PDF format. The curriculum guide outlines the course requirements for the degree program. It also includes the application and program admission criteria).

Program Description:

The very breath of life is what you give another as a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders such as chronic asthma or emphysema. Integral members of any medical team, they serve as life-support specialists who work to restore the heart-lung system to normal function. You'll be prepared to move into such positions as a:

Typical Tasks May Include:

  • evaluating and treating patients' breathing problems
  • using a ventilator to pump pressurized air-oxygen mixes through a tube into patient's lungs
  • sampling blood to test the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
  • reporting results to the physician

Characteristics Students Need to be Successful:

  • Caring
  • Responsible
  • Reliable
  • Trustworthy
  • excited about medicine
  • knowledge of math and science
  • strong work ethic
  • dynamic
  • Be on time, pay attention and follow directions
  • Have an interest in a combination of technology and medicine

Potential Careers:

  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Respiratory Care Practitioner

Potential Employers:

Respiratory Therapists work mainly in hospitals, in the departments of respiratory care, pulmonary medicine, or anesthesiology. Other career opportunities are available in medical clinics, physicians' offices, home care, sales, education, research, and consulting.

Potential Earnings: ($31,000 - $34,000)

Contact Information:

For more information, contact the Health Sciences Career Program Advisor, at 407-582-1288 or visit valenciacc.edu/west/health/respiratory.

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