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|Career Programs Index| |Academic Advising| |Class Schedule| |Real-time Seat Availability| |
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This two-year program begins with the fall term and includes four semesters and one summer session. Health Science programs conduct a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs, and clinical assignments. Clinical rotations are conducted onsite at a variety of hospitals, generally during the daytime, with start times as early as 6:30 a.m. Holding a full-time job while in the program may affect your success and is not recommended. Students may take general education classes in the morning afternoon, evening, weekends or online, if available. These can be completed within five years of entering the program. Completion of this program is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year-college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree using the courses from this program, speak with an academic advisor to review your options. For more information about the profession of Respiratory Care, please visit www.aarc.org. Criminal Background Checks—In order to comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students will complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks may be obtained through the Career Programs Subdivision Office, B150, and fees paid to the Cashier’s Office. For information on criminal background application procedures, contact the Career Programs Subdivision Office at (708) 974-5708. Deadline dates for completion of criminal background checks will be announced by program coordinators. Program Essential
Functions
Nature of Work—In the hospital, respiratory therapists often work in high stress environments. Therapists are involved in all areas of intensive care, emergency room traumas, and end-of life care for dying patients. Respiratory therapists draw blood, and see patients with various traumatic injuries on a regular basis. Students are strongly encouraged to consider their ability to handle emotional aspects of death and dying, and see blood and body fluids. Respiratory therapists are staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Most hospital therapists stand and walk all day, and need to be able to lift and move relatively heavy objects. Employment Outlook—Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of substantial growth in the numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population-a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease-and because of the expanding role of respiratory therapists in the early detection of pulmonary disorders, case management, disease prevention, and emergency care. Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of therapists, a growing number can expect to work outside of hospitals in home health care services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners, or consumer-goods rental firms. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $43,140 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,650 and $50,860. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,580. For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, Building T, Rm. T904 or call (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jpc Accreditation—This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Sponsored by the American Association of Respiratory Care, American College of Chest Physicians, American Society of Anesthesiologists, and American Thoracic Society. Certification—Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program are qualified to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) entry level exam, which awards the credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) upon successful completion. Graduates are then eligible for required licensure in the state of Illinois. CRT credential also qualifies graduates to take the Registry Examinations, which awards the credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) upon successful completion. Visit the NBRC website for more information about credentialing examinations at www.nbrc.org. Related Job Titles—Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Technician, Respiratory Care Practioner. |
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Moraine
Valley Community College’s Respiratory Therapy Technology Program provides
students the education and training required to work as respiratory therapists
in a variety of health care settings. As part of the health care team,
respiratory therapists are involved in caring for patients with cardiopulmonary
disorders. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages in areas
ranging from health promotion and disease prevention, to acute care management
of life-threatening illness. Respiratory therapists provide life support in the
form of mechanical ventilation, perform case management, pulmonary
rehabilitation, patient, family, and community education, smoking prevention and
cessation, and diagnostic testing. Although most respiratory therapists work in
acute care hospitals, job opportunities exist in long-term care facilities,
clinics, physician offices, diagnostic laboratories, and in-home care.
