Are you considering a rewarding career in healthcare, helping patients breathe easier? Respiratory therapists are vital members of the healthcare team, and if you’re exploring this path, a key question is likely: How Long Is The Respiratory Care Program? Volunteer State Community College offers a comprehensive Respiratory Care Program designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this in-demand profession.
Understanding the Respiratory Care Program Length at Volunteer State
The Respiratory Care Program at Volunteer State Community College follows the Associate of Science in Health Sciences curriculum. Typically, an Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care is designed to be completed in approximately two years for full-time students. This duration allows for a robust curriculum that encompasses both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on clinical experience.
The program is structured to provide you with a strong foundation in health sciences, followed by specialized respiratory care coursework. This includes learning about respiratory diseases, therapeutic techniques, and the operation of sophisticated respiratory equipment. Clinical rotations are a crucial part of the program, providing real-world experience in healthcare settings where you’ll work under the supervision of experienced professionals. This blended approach ensures you are well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of a respiratory therapy career upon graduation.
What You’ll Learn in the Respiratory Care Program
The curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of essential skills and knowledge needed for Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) and Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs). Under the guidance of physicians, you will learn to provide critical care to patients of all ages suffering from various respiratory ailments. Your training will encompass:
- Blood Gas Analysis: Mastering the techniques to obtain and interpret blood specimens to analyze oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other vital gases in the blood. This skill is crucial for evaluating patient respiratory status and adjusting treatment plans.
- Life Support Systems Management: Learning to manage and adjust life support systems, including ventilators, oxygen delivery devices, and nitric oxide or heliox gas administrations, based on patient data and physician orders.
- Diagnostic Procedures: Developing proficiency in conducting diagnostic procedures to assess and quantify impaired lung function, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory conditions.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Becoming skilled in administering various therapies, including aerosolized medications like antibiotics, antivirals, and bronchodilators, to treat respiratory illnesses and improve breathing.
- Metabolic Testing: Understanding how to perform metabolic testing to evaluate the complex interplay between the cardiopulmonary systems.
- Home Care and Chronic Disease Management: Gaining knowledge in home-based respiratory therapeutics for chronically ill patients and those with sleep disorders related to respiration, extending care beyond the hospital setting.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Learning to guide patients through rehabilitation activities, such as exercise programs and smoking cessation, to improve lung function and overall well-being.
- Airway Management: Developing expertise in maintaining artificial airways for patients unable to breathe independently, a critical skill in emergency and intensive care settings.
- Patient Monitoring and Education: Continuously monitoring patients’ responses to therapy and educating them and their families about respiratory conditions and management strategies.
Respiratory therapy student practicing patient monitoring skills during a lab session.
Accreditation: Ensuring a High-Quality Respiratory Care Education
Choosing an accredited program is paramount for your future career. Volunteer State Community College’s Respiratory Care Program holds full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) – https://coarc.com/. This accreditation signifies that the program has met rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness in respiratory therapy education. Graduating from a CoARC-accredited program is often a requirement for professional credentialing and licensure as a respiratory therapist.
Take the Next Step: Respiratory Care Program Information Sessions
To learn more about the Respiratory Care Program, including specific program requirements, application deadlines, and to get your questions answered directly, you are encouraged to attend a virtual information session. These sessions are held monthly and provide valuable insights into the program structure, curriculum, and career opportunities.
For upcoming information session dates and to express your interest in attending, please email [email protected]. This is your opportunity to take the next step towards a fulfilling and impactful career in respiratory care.
