Program:
Respiratory care is a profession devoted to the diagnosis, prevention,
treatment and management of patients with breathing
disorders. Respiratory therapists are physician-extenders,
who focus on the care of patients with cardiopulmonary
problems. They serve as members of cardiac arrest
and trauma admission teams, provide home care, administer
family asthma and freedom from nicotine programs,
work in clinics and hospitals, and provide pre and
post surgical care. Respiratory therapists work with
patients of all ages from premature infants to senior
citizens. Starting salaries in 2001 averaged $37,000
with an average signing bonus of $7800. The excellent
reputation of our program provides a broad selection
of employment opportunities for our graduates, many
of whom advance rapidly to supervisory, educational,
or research positions.
This program consists of three years study at Millersville
followed by a 16-month clinical training phase cosponsored
by the Lancaster Institute for Health Education. At
the end of their studies students are awarded the
BS in Biology, Respiratory Therapy Option. They are
eligible to sit for the entry-level national certification
examination (CRT). This exam is the standard for licensure
throughout the world. Since the inception our program
nearly 400 have taken this exam and only one has not
passed on the first try! Millersville graduates are
also qualified and eligible to take the Advanced Practitioner
Examination (RRT) exam. Nationally the first-time
pass rate for the RRT is about 36%; the pass rate
for MU graduates is between 65 and 100% depending
on the year. Persons already holding baccalaureate
degrees may apply for admission into the clinical
phase of the program as certification students.
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