Respiratory Therapy--More About the Program

Be in Demand!
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects “Employment of demand for respiratory therapists is expected to grow 19 per cent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations”. This increase in demand is expected because of substantial growth of the middle aged and elderly population and increases in the numbers of patients with asthma and chronic lung disease.

About the Career
Respiratory care is the allied health profession that cares for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. The respiratory therapist sees a diverse group of patients ranging from newborn and pediatric patients to adults and the elderly. Disease states or conditions often requiring 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 surgical complications.

Respiratory therapists are also involved in many specialty areas in the hospital such as newborn labor and delivery, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, pulmonary function laboratory, sleep laboratory, adult intensive care units, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, and EKG testing. In addition to hospitals, the respiratory therapist delivers respiratory care in the home, rehabilitation agencies, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and physician offices.

For More Information
If you need additional information or would like to schedule an appointment or talk to current students/practitioners, contact Carolyn De Witt, program coordinator at (708) 608-4326 or dewittc6@morainevalley.edu.