Program Overview
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Course Length: ~21 months
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Credits: 85
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Total Hours: 1,955*
*The Las Vegas campus program hours total 2000 and the Houston campus program hours total 2025.
- Fast track your career in the medical field as a Respiratory Therapist
- Help patients in a variety of situations
- Work in a role that is projected to be in high demand
What Is a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapists are healthcare practitioners who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients who have breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. They’re also trained to provide critical care to patients in emergency situations related to respiratory issues.
A respiratory therapist applies their skills in different environments and situations depending on their employer, adapting as needed to the level of care required of them.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
After completing their training and receiving their certification, a respiratory therapist can use their knowledge in multiple ways — so their day-to-day responsibilities vary, depending on where they chose to work.
- For instance, a respiratory therapist may work in an emergency room, intensive care unit or hospital floor. In this case, they’ll often work with patients to offer care related to issues such as blocked passageways, intense asthma attacks or other life-threatening respiratory problems.
- On the other hand, they might also find themselves working with patients who need more long-term solutions, such as those with chronic conditions like COPD or cystic fibrosis. In this case, places like specialty clinics, pulmonologist offices or even sleep labs are possible work settings.
Read: Alumni Spotlight: Respiratory Therapy Jeremy Feldman
Pima Medical Institute Respiratory Therapist Program Description
Our program provides students with academic and clinical training in preparation for employment as a registered respiratory therapist. Students have the opportunity to develop professional skills in advanced respiratory care techniques (including neonatal, pediatric and adult special care procedures), general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics. Upon completion of our program, you’ll be ready to obtain certification and launch your career as a respiratory therapist.
What Will I Learn With This Training?
Your education at Pima Medical Institute will prepare you to use quick problem solving combined with compassion and care to treat patients in a multitude of different situations. Whether you’re on the front lines of an emergency room or assisting a patient with solutions for a chronic disorder, you’ll have learned from instructors with years of real-world experience.
Additionally, you’ll put your skills to use before you graduate with hands-on opportunities in medical facilities. Here are some of the things you’ll learn through the program:
- Monitor, manage and modify life support equipment, including resuscitating patients
- Interview and assess patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
- Consult with physicians to diagnose lung diseases and develop patient treatment plans
- Perform diagnostics to measure lung function and assess the severity of diseases
- Administer breathing treatments and other adjunct therapies to improve lung function
- Educate patients about their condition and how to properly use medication and equipment
- Be a valuable and active part of the team in end-of-life and palliative care
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.
Pima Medical Institute Respiratory Therapy Program Requirements
How long is the Pima Medical Respiratory Therapist program?
This program generally takes students approximately 21 months to complete, and upon graduation, you’ll receive your Associate Degree.
Curriculum: What classes do I need to take to become a Respiratory Therapist?
Our curriculum is filled with a range of courses to equip you with the diverse skills of a respiratory therapist. Here are just a few examples of classes you’ll take during the program:
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
- Cardiopulmonary Diseases
- Critical Care Techniques
- Emergency Care
Extensive information on the curriculum can be found in the course outline further below.
Does the program prepare me for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Exam?
Yes. Graduates of Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program receive an associate degree and may sit for credentialing exams conducted by the National Board for Respiratory Care for the following positions:
- Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
Where Can I Take a Respiratory Therapy Training Class Near Me?
Arizona
California
Colorado
What Career Opportunities Do Respiratory Therapists Have?
Respiratory therapists have the skills to work with patients to offer long-term care for chronic conditions as well as immediate solutions for emergency care. Since respiratory healthcare is a specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients as well as providing care in life-threatening scenarios, there are multiple settings where they can use their skills. Here are some examples of places you might find employment opportunities:
- Hospitals
- Specialty clinics such as those for asthma or cystic fibrosis
- Long-term care facilities
- Pulmonologists’ offices
- Sleep labs
- Air and ambulance transport companies
As far as your actual position as a certified respiratory therapist, here are just a few examples of possible positions:
- Respiratory Therapist
- Educator
- Sleep Disorder Specialist
- Pulmonary Function Technologist
These lists include common work environments and careers for respiratory therapists but aren’t extensive.
Read: Top 6 Respiratory Therapist Careers
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, which is 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.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm (visited September 01, 2020).
Start Your Education Here
Pima Medical Institute’s renowned instructors are both academically and professionally qualified and offer years of relevant, hands-on experience to share with students. Start your education with Pima Medical Institute and pave your path in the healthcare field.