Respiratory Care

Program Description

The Respiratory Care Practitioner is an allied health specialist who plays a crucial role within the health care team.  Working closely with physicians and other health care professionals, Respiratory Care Practitioners care for patients with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.  Respiratory Care Practitioners, under the supervision of a physician, are involved with the assessment, treatment, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, and prevention of conditions which affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

The Respiratory Therapy program at Eastern Iowa Community College (EICCD) is available as a result of a cooperative partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta/Dubuque Iowa.  Our partnership with NICC gives you the opportunity to take many of your classes (21 credits) through EICCD.  Once accepted into the NICC program, you will take your respiratory therapy classes in Peosta/Dubuque and be placed in your practicum sites in Dubuque/Davenport/Iowa City as appropriate each semester.

Degree Awarded
Associate in Applied Science

Job Outlook
Job opportunities are expected to remain good. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010, because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population-a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.
 
Earnings
Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians were $32,860 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,280 and $39,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,830, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,800. Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians employed in hospitals were $32,830 in 2000.

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