Respiratory Therapy Program

Not being able to breathe properly is a frightening situation. And it is a respiratory therapist who can act quickly to offer emergency and immediate relief to patients suffering from a blocked passageway, intense asthma attack or other life-threatening experience.

Respiratory therapists also work with patients to offer long-term care for chronic conditions. It is a health care specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.

Whether you’re on the front lines of an emergency room or assisting a patient with solutions for a chronic disorder, as a respiratory therapist you will use quick problem solving combined with compassion and care to treat patients.

Respiratory Therapy graduate Jobe explains how his training was the best educational experience he ever had.

Pima Medical Institute’s Respiratory Therapy program offers courses in advanced respiratory care techniques, including neonatal and adult special care procedures, general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These respiratory disorders can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.*