Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapy is an allied health profession in which the provider cares for patients with breathing disorders. The respiratory therapist assumes primary responsibility for all respiratory care treatments. They treat patients of all ages, from premature infants to the elderly. Health conditions that require respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, infant respiratory distress syndrome, and conditions brought on by shock, trauma or postoperative complications.Respiratory Therapists perform a wide variety of care-giving tasks, including:
- evaluate a patient’s lung capacity;
- provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema;
- provide care to patients who are victims of heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock;
- provide patients with oxygen or oxygen mixtures, aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy;
- regularly check patients and their equipment
Request the Free DVD "Life and Breath"
We would be happy to send you a free DVD on the profession of respiratory therapy. To request a copy, call the admissions office at 1-800-442-8821 or via email to admissions@vtc.edu.
Career Opportunities
Respiratory therapists are employed in hospital specialty areas such as labor and delivery, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, pulmonary function laboratory, sleep laboratory, adult intensive care units, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation, and ECG testing. In addition to hospitals, the respiratory therapist delivers respiratory care in the home, rehabilitation agencies, nursing homes, out-patient clinics, and physicians’ offices. Starting yearly salaries often begin between $35,000 – $40,000.
The U.S. Department of Labor states that demand for Respiratory Therapists, also known as Respiratory Technicians or Respiratory Care Practitioners, is growing faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities are best for therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills and for those with experience working with newborns and infants.
Enrollment Information
Acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy program is contingent upon meeting the criteria for admission as outlined below. Prospective students should emphasize math and science course work in high school. It typically takes two years of full time work to complete this degree.
Admissions Requirements
- Completed Application to Vermont Tech;
- High School Diploma or GED;
- Completion of Vermont Tech’s Accuplacer examination;
- Arrange to send all “official” high school, GED and post-secondary transcripts;
- Arrange for two current letters of recommendation that address
- work ethic
- communication skill
- potential for adaptation to a fast-paced clinical environment
- potential to competently/compassionately deliver care to clients across the lifespan.
Acceptance guidelines include:
- English placement into freshman level English; and
- Combined Mathematics Accuplacer score of 100 or higher
Program Location
Course delivery will be provided by a number of methods, including:
- Lectures at the Vermont Tech Williston Campus at Blair Park in Williston;
- Lectures at Castleton State College (a small cohort is enrolled);
- Lectures over Vermont Interactive Television;
- Practical experience at local hospitals;
Accreditation
The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs as well as the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care Programs. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Board of Respiratory Care registry exam, earning the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist.