Respiratory Care

Overview

Respiratory therapists help patients from their first breath of life as newborns to their last breath as they age. Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, transport teams, and home health agencies. Job opportunities are expected to be very good for respiratory therapists. International students on an F-1 visa are not eligible to apply to the Respiratory Care program.

How long does it take to become a Respiratory Therapist?

This is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program for Respiratory Care students. ECC will prepare you for this exciting career with a combination of classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. All students will learn and practice skills in area hospitals throughout the program. Afterward, you'll be ready for a job as a respiratory therapist in a variety of healthcare settings.

What sets ECC's program apart?

A new, state-of-the-art lab space for the Respiratory Care program is being built. The space will include hospital beds and respiratory equipment that simulate a hospital environment. Graduates of a two-year Respiratory Care program qualify to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

What do Respiratory Therapists do?

• Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
• Consult with physicians about patients’ conditions and develop treatment plans.
• Perform diagnostic tests.
• Treat patients using a variety of methods.
• Monitor and record patients’ progress.
• Teach patients how to take medications and use the equipment.

If you want to learn more about the cardiopulmonary care you'll be performing as an RT, check out the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) website. 

Getting a Job as a Respiratory Therapist

Currently, there is a shortage of Respiratory Therapists due to the pandemic. This shortage can be compared to the nursing shortage. The healthcare professional job market is very dynamic right now due to a large increase in retirement. 

Respiratory therapists are needed throughout the Northern Illinois region's hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing care facilities. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that respiratory therapist jobs will grow by 14 percent by 2031. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists, (accessed January 10, 2023). You can find the median wage for respiratory therapists on Elgin's Career Coach site.

Jobs that may be available to students who complete the Respiratory Care degree include the following:

• Respiratory care practitioner
• Respiratory technicians
• Respiratory therapists

Accreditation

The respiratory care program is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC). Visit the CoARC website.