PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Clarion's University's Associate of Science, Respiratory Care degree program for advanced level practitioners is located at Venango Campus in Oil City and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC*). The 24-month program has an academic preparation of two semesters of general education course work at Clarion University - Venango Campus and continues with a 14-month clinical program in respiratory care.
Entry into the respiratory care program is a two-step process that begins with acceptance to Clarion University. Admission to Clarion is available to individuals who meet the university's standard admission criteria.
After admission to Clarion University, students must be accepted to the respiratory care program. Click here to review the admission criteria for the respiratory care program. Admission to the respiratory care program is competitive and is not guaranteed. To learn more about the respiratory care admissions process for students who are new to Clarion University or for current Clarion students, click here.
For information on how to apply to Clarion University, please contact the Venango Campus Admissions Office at 877-VENANGO, extension 1211. To complete Clarion's on-line application, please click here.
*Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
817-283-2835
PROGRAM PURPOSE
Clarion University's Respiratory Care program prepares graduates as respiratory care practitioners at the advanced level (Registered Respiratory Therapist - RRT). The program affords students the opportunity to attain a clinical knowledge base in respiratory care as well as a liberal arts education that will aid in their role and function as health care professionals. Graduates of the respiratory program will be eligible to take the Written Registry Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
CAREERS IN RESPIRATORY CARE
Respiratory care practitioners, also known as respiratory therapists, evaluate and care for individuals of all ages who have breathing and other cardiopulmonary ailments ranging from moderate to life-threatening. Respiratory care practitioners work closely with physicians and other health care professionals to provide a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients.
The field of respiratory care affords exciting opportunities for career diversity. After attaining status as an advanced-level respiratory care practitioner, individuals may specialize in areas such as intensive care, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, polysomnography (the diagnosis of sleep disorders), education, administration, and others.Qualified respiratory care practitioners are currently in high demand. Because of the aging population and the increasing incidence of respiratory disease, the need for respiratory care practitioners is expected to "increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014" (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook). Job opportunities for respiratory care practitioners exist in hospitals, home health agencies, physician's offices, and other employment settings.
To learn more about the profession of respiratory care, visit the American Association for Respiratory Care's website.
Career shadowing appointments scheduled through Clarion University's Department of Allied Health provide a unique opportunity for prospective students to spend four hours with a respiratory therapist in a hospital environment. Career shadowing assists students in academic and career choices. To schedule a career shadowing appointment, please contact respiratory care secretary, Debra Weaver, by email at dweaver@clarion.edu or by phone at 1-877-VENANGO, extension 1250.
Learn More
For more information on Clarion University's respiratory care program, please contact the Venango Campus Admissions Office at 877-VENANGO, extension 1211.
