Careers to Consider: Respiratory Therapist
This article is part of a series spotlighting HFC academic and workforce programs leading to great careers. To view all HFC programs, visit this link.
The HFC Respiratory Therapist program is highly respected, having received numerous Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success awards from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and achieving an overall job placement of 100% for graduates who are actively seeking employment.
The Respiratory Therapist program prepares you for employment as ab entry-level respiratory therapist. Graduates of the program are awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree and are eligible to apply for the National Board of Respiratory Care examination, leading to the national credential designation of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and state licensure as a respiratory therapist.
The program provides a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The first year of the program involves completion of technical and support courses. Beginning with the spring semester and throughout the second year of the program, students are required to complete advanced technical courses and a wide variety of clinical rotations.
What you will learn
In the Respiratory Therapist program, you will learn how to:
- Evaluate a patient's current condition and response to therapy using physical exam, laboratory data, and other clinical information.
- Develop a treatment plan specific to the needs of the patient.
- Recommend additional procedures and therapy to treat the patient, as well as modifications to the treatment plan.
- Administer oxygen therapy.
- Administer aerosolized medication therapy.
- Administer bronchial hygiene and lung volume expansion therapy.
- Administer mechanical ventilation and life support.
- Recommend initiation, modifications, and liberation from life support.
- Educate patients and family members regarding disease processes and self-care, as well as the public on preventive medicine.
- Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and other medical professionals.
“Respiratory therapy is a fulfilling career, allowing you to work in all the different areas of a hospital – from premature babies to geriatric individuals,” said HFC Respiratory Therapist Program Director Kim Najarian. “You often find yourself helping in life-and-death situations. It’s very rewarding to make a difference in someone’s health.”
You will also learn how to demonstrate the knowledge base, technical skills, data management, and clinical decision-making needed to provide care as an entry-level respiratory therapist.
“We take great pride in our students’ success during the course of this program and after they have graduated and as they continue on in their careers as registered respiratory therapists,” said Najarian.
Career Opportunities
As a respiratory therapist, you can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Intensive care units
- Pediatric units
- Neonatal care units
- Nursing care facilities
- Sleep disorder centers
- Emergency rooms
- Operating rooms
- In-home care
- Physicians’ offices and clinics
“We expect the best from our students,” said Najarian. “We strive to make them the best prepared students when they enter the field. We often get feedback from employers that HFC students are the best prepared when they go to their clinical rotations.”
Course schedule
Review the recommended sequence of classes and speak with your academic advisor before registering. We always recommend you talk to one of our friendly, expert advisors to make sure you select the right courses, stay on track toward graduation, and prepare for transfer or employment.
The Respiratory Therapist Academic Advisor is Samer Atris. To make an appointment with Atris, contact him at 313-317-6862 or knajarian@hfcc.edu.
For questions or more information about the Respiratory Therapist program, contact Najarian at 313-317-6812 or knajarian@hfcc.edu.