Earning an associate degree in advanced respiratory care

From your first moments of life, your lungs provide the oxygen your body needs to survive. Without them you could not blow out the candles on your birthday cake or breathe a sigh of relief when you pass an important exam. Without them, you could not survive.

When the lungs get sick, whether from an acute illness such as a respiratory infection or pneumonia or a more chronic disease like emphysema or asthma, the simple act of breathing can become an uncomfortable and frightening chore. In many cases, it is the role of a respiratory therapist to help treat and evaluate patients who are coping with such breathing issues and/or lung disorders. This care can range from a premature baby whose lungs are underdeveloped to an elderly person on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. Regardless of the patient's age or condition, if you are interested in a career in health care and are considering devoting your future to literally helping people "catch their breath," a degree in advanced respiratory care is the place to start.

An advanced respiratory care degree: facts and figures

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the need for respiratory therapists should grow by 21 percent from 2008 to 2018--this is much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2009, the mean annual salary for a respiratory therapist was $53,330. While the majority of therapists are employed in hospitals--approximately 81 percent--there are job opportunities in private physician offices, long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, respiratory equipment manufacturing and outpatient centers.

Training for a career in respiratory therapy

An associate degree in advanced respiratory care is an excellent way to enter the field. In fact, it is the minimum education level required by many employees. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 346 advanced respiratory care degree programs were accredited in the Unites States in 2008. While enrolled in the program, you can expect to take courses that cover the following subjects:

• Pathophysiology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Math
• Pharmacology

Additional coursework for a degree in advanced respiratory care include cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory health and disease prevention, CPR, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, and tests and patient assessment.

After earning an associate degree in advanced respiratory care, you need to obtain a license to practice as a respiratory therapist in 48 states. Only Alaska and Hawaii do not require licensure. A license is obtained by passing an exam offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and graduating from a program accredited by the CAAHEP or the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC). By completing these requirements, you earn the title of a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).

Web of opportunity: online associate degrees in advanced respiratory care

As an alternative to traditional brick and mortar schools, you can choose to earn an online associate degree in advanced respiratory care. Online education offers students many benefits, including the ability to create a flexible schedule that allows you to continue to meet the demands of work and family life. Online degree programs also often cost less than campus-based programs and allow you the freedom of choosing the program that best meets your needs without regard to geographic location. An online associate degree in advanced respiratory care also offers all the same advantages following graduation as does a classroom-focused program.

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