PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Clarion's University's Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree program for advanced level practitioners is located at Venango Campus in Oil City and is sponsored through a partnership between Clarion University, UPMC Horizon, and UPMC Northwest. The 24-month program has an academic preparation of one academic year (two semesters) at Clarion University and continues with a 14-month program of clinical study at accredited affiliated clinical sites.
Entry into the respiratory care program is a two-step process that begins with acceptance to Clarion University. Acceptance to the university is available to individuals meeting standard university admission criteria. After acceptance to Clarion University, students must then be accepted to the respiratory care program. Admission to the respiratory care program is competitive and is not guaranteed.
PURPOSE
Clarion University's Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree program prepares graduates as respiratory care practitioners at the advanced level (RRT-Registered Respiratory Therapist). 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 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 very 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). Job opportunities for respiratory care practitioners exist in hospitals, home health agencies, physician's offices, and other employment settings.
alkfjdkfjdkjfdkfjkjdffjldksjkjfkjsdkfjdksfjsdkfjdksfjdkdjfsdkjfsdkjfdkfjsdkfjdkfjdkfjdkfjdkfjdkfjdkfjsdkfjsdkfjdk
