Welcome from the Respiratory Care Program Coordinator
- Lorie Philips, MS, RRT
- 315.792.5664
- lphilips@mvcc.edu
Respiratory Care is a dynamic health profession that involves helping those with heart and lung problems. There is a critical shortage of Respiratory Therapists across the United States with a 8-12% vacancy rate in positions across the nation. Job opportunities are abundant locally and across the country; the MVCC Respiratory Program boasts near 100% job placement for those pursuing work for the last 10 years.
An Associate's in Applied Science (AAS) Respiratory Care Program is available on the MVCC Utica campus. Prerequisites for the Respiratory Care Program include a grade of "C" or better in high school Chemistry (with lab) within 10 years, and passing the MVCC math placement test (based on a working knowledge of high school Math Course 1, Course A or Integrated Algebra.) If you have never taken these courses, you can complete equivalent courses right at MVCC. If you have already taken general studies courses (English 1 and 2, Introduction to Psychology, or Introduction to Sociology) at MVCC or another college, these would be transferable into the Respiratory Care Program.
The AAS Respiratory Care Program requires two years of full-time study, or a longer time frame for part-time study. The Respiratory Program provides education in basic therapies and advanced practices in neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care. AAS graduates are eligible to take a series of national examinations that lead to the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials. Respiratory Therapists enjoy excellent marketability and earning potential ($30,000 to $40,000 per year to start locally depending on the credentials earned).
Respiratory Therapists work with patients of all ages in various health care settings including: hospitals, extended care facilities, pulmonary function and sleep laboratories, physician offices, clinics and home care. Respiratory Therapists perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, as well as monitor and manage therapy that will help a patient recover or live with their present lung function. In short, Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat and educate patients with breathing problems or potential respiratory dysfunction. Individuals with chronic respiratory disorders (like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and occupational lung disease) or acute illnesses (like heart attacks, trauma, infection, premature birth and airway obstruction) are treated by Respiratory Therapists.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U. S. Department of Labor, projects employment for Respiratory Therapists to "increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016." Since the MVCC Respiratory Care Program began in 1974, over 400 graduates have enjoyed outstanding job placement in the Utica-Rome area and throughout the country. The MVCC Respiratory Care Program supplies 70-85% of therapists to the area hospitals and home care agencies. The respiratory department managers from Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, Rome Memorial Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, Hamilton Hospital, and Oneida Healthcare are all graduates of the MVCC Respiratory Care Program.
The Respiratory Care Program has 7 hospital affiliates in which students perform clinical training. Three Utica-Rome hospitals, two Syracuse hospitals, Oneida Healthcare and Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown provide a wide variety of experiences for Respiratory Care students. Graduate and employer surveys performed 6 months post-graduation indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the MVCC Respiratory Care Program. Performance by MVCC Respiratory Care graduates on the national credentialing examinations has been exemplary, with class averages that consistently exceed the national mean.
Please contact the Respiratory Care Program for more information and/or to set up a personal meeting with a faculty member. During this meeting, available scholarships will be explained where a local hospital will pay for your educational expenses in return for a commitment to work post-graduation (the hospitals are that desperate for therapists). For those who qualify, the scholarships are a wonderful opportunity to have your education funded, with a guaranteed job after graduation. You will also learn how to arrange a tour with a Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital so that "real life" performance of therapy on actual patients can be observed. A preview of the "state-of-the-art" respiratory and health services computer laboratories is also a part of the initial meeting.
The Respiratory Program attracts an equal number of males and females, enrolling new high school graduates and returning adults who may be job retraining. Motivated individuals are needed to successfully complete the Respiratory Care Program to fill the numerous local job openings and meet the health care needs of the community. Give us a call (315-792-5367 or 315-792-5664) or e-mail us (lphillips@mvcc.edu), you won't be disappointed.
