Andie Finley
(864) 228-5076

Jim Woody
(864) 228-5073

Program Advisor
Jackie Williams
(864) 228-5067

Administrative Assistant
Lynn Woods
(864) 228-5080

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RESPIRATORY CARE

College Catalog Information

Respiratory Care Program Application

College that works for the people who help us breathe easier.

Most of us take our next breath for granted, but people with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung problems can’t. For them, breathing may depend upon treatment received from a respiratory care practitioner. These health care professionals treat all types of patients – from premature babies whose lungs aren’t fully developed to elderly patients whose lungs are diseased.

What do respiratory care practitioners do?
Practicing under physician direction, respiratory care practitioners evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. They begin by interviewing patients, performing limited examinations on them, and conducting tests such as breathing capacity and oxygen concentration in the patient’s blood. The treatment that follows may include oxygen or oxygen mixtures, chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications.

Where do respiratory care practitioners work?
Many work in hospitals, but a growing number of respiratory care practitioners work in other settings including respiratory care clinics, nursing homes, and in home health care.

What preparation is needed?
An associate degree has become the general requirement for entry into this field. Greenville Tech’s associate degree program is designed in a one-plus-one format. Phase One, which covers general education and related course work, and Phase Two, which includes respiratory care course work and clinical work, is available at Greenville Tech’s Brashier Campus. Graduates take the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam, allowing them to begin work at an entry-level or generalist position. CRTs who meet education and experience requirements can take examinations that award them the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, a certification that can take them into supervisory and intensive care specialist positions.

How much do respiratory therapists earn?
Average earnings of respiratory therapists in the United States is $56,000, according to the American Association for Respiratory Care.

What does the future hold?
The need for respiratory care professionals is expected to grow in the years ahead due to an increase in the elderly population, the impact of environmental problems that have contributed to a rise in the number of asthma cases, and the technological advances in the treatment of heart attack, cancer, and accident victims, as well as premature babies, many of whom are on a ventilator for part of their recovery period.

Monthly Career Talk sessions are offered at Greenville Tech for students considering a career in health care.

What is a RCP?

Respiratory Curriculum

Additional Career Information

www.aarc.org
American Association for Respiratory Care

www.nbrc.org
The National Board for Respiratory Care