Online Degree Programs in Respiratory Therapy
Breathing is an involuntary reflex that is second nature and something most people take for granted. Unfortunately, there are thousands of people suffering from breathing problems. They understand what it is like to fight for each breath. These include patients who have chronic lung problems such as emphysema, asthma and bronchitis. It also includes patients with AIDS, lung cancer, accident victims, premature infants, heart attack victims or people with cystic fibrosis. In each case, the patient will probably receive treatment from a respiratory therapy professional, under a doctor's direction. Most respiratory therapists perform neonatal procedures, critical care and intensive care in hospitals and are a vital part of the lifesaving response team, which handles emergencies such as shock, stroke, accidents or drowning.
Respiratory therapy is the field of healthcare that helps patients with breathing problems and cardiopulmonary illnesses. Respiratory therapy technicians and respiratory therapists are health care providers that treat, monitor and assess patients with these problems. They use equipment and diagnostic testing to determine a patient's oxygen blood level, lung capacity and other important data. Respiratory therapists use this information to diagnose, develop and carry out treatment plans for patients, by working together with other health care professionals and respiratory technicians. Students of respiration therapy complete courses in all aspects of using equipment and completing diagnostic tests and development of plans using health care and treatment teams.
In some hospitals, respiratory therapists perform jobs, which are not normally part of the traditional role in respiratory therapy. Some of the areas they are expanding into are smoking cessation counseling, case management, pulmonary rehabilitation, and diagnosing apnea and other breathing disorders occurring during sleep. Often called upon to treat critical care patients, respiratory therapy professionals' work either as part of the hospitals rapid response teams or air transport and surface teams.
Associates Programs
AS in Applied Science and Technology - Respiratory Care from Thomas Edison State College
Registered Respiratory Therapists can gain additional skills and knowledge by completing the Respiratory Care option in the AS in Applied Science and Technology program. The sixty-hour program includes 21 credit hours of general education, 21 credit hours… Additional Information »
Bachelors Programs
BS in Applied Science and Technology - Respiratory Care from Thomas Edison State College
Registered Respiratory Therapists who wish to complete an undergraduate degree may benefit from the BS in Applied Science and Technology degree in Respiratory Care. The 120-hour program includes 54 credit hours of general education, 45 credit hours in… Additional Information »
