Among the first medical specialist called in emergency treatment of acute respiratory conditions are the respiratory care practitioners. The respiratory therapist assesses the patient’s need for respiratory care, administers the therapy, evaluates the patients response and modifies the care to provide the maximum benefit to the patient. The therapist is a resource to the physician and may function unsupervised. In addition, the therapist supervises, directs and teaches less skilled personnel. Therefore, great individual judgment is required. Increasing numbers of cardio-respiratory problems, chronic asthma and emphysema victims mean an increasing need for graduates. The Respiratory Care Program is twenty-four months and the graduate will receive an associate degree.
Full-time students in this program enroll in three to five courses per term which average 17-30 class/lab hours per week or 9-18 credit hours per term. The two year graduate receives an associate degree in health sciences and is eligible to apply for admission to the National Board Exams and for South Carolina State Licensure.
The Life and Breath Video which can be found at the bottom of the following web page, http://www.aarc.org/career/ shows the roles and responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners and interviews with real-life therapists, students, and physicians, and shows the various work settings and types of patients, as well as educational requirements.
The AARC Online Home Page contains links to many articles. Obtain legislative updates from Washington D. C. regarding health issues and e-mail comments to your senator. There is an on-line application for membership registration and dues renewal.