Respiratory Therapy
Locations: Hermitage, Uniontown | Duration: 20 Months
Our 20 Month Respiratory Therapy programs teaches graduates to become health care specialists who provide care for patients with breathing disorders. Laurel’s Respiratory Therapy degree program can also lay the foundation to start an expansive career in healthcare. Graduates of this program are able to further their careers in management, quality control, hospital administration, or clinical research.
Skills Development:
Critical thinking skills to apply knowledge to diagnose and develop treatment plans for cardiopulmonary disorders
Knowledge of airway management and mechanical ventilation
Understanding of respiratory care therapies for patients of all ages
Purpose and implementation of respiratory medications
Understand the application of medical gasses in treating respiratory conditions
Ability to respond to emergency care situation
Understanding of critical care principles in treating those with compromised respiratory conditions
Care includes assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients ranging in age from premature infants to the elderly. Therapists also work with adults who have chronic lung problems, such as asthma or emphysema. As a respiratory therapist, you must possess good communication skills. You will work side by side with physicians, nurses and other health care providers in caring for patients with lung disorders.
In this program at Laurel, you’ll start by developing basic medical skills like taking blood pressure and using oxygen delivery devices. Most importantly, you’ll develop and sharpen your skills by applying this knowledge in clinical situations throughout the program.
Once you graduate, you’ll be able to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Exam, and the Clinical Simulation (CSE) Exam. Then, you’ll be ready to begin a career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) with the ability to work in a wide variety of settings to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and related conditions.
Certifications
Laurel’s program prepares you to take the following industry-recognized credentials:
Program Highlights
Small class sizes allow for meaningful faculty-student interactions
Gain professional experience through a required internship
In-class simulation practice for thorough theoretical understanding
Content Courses
- Respiratory Therapy I / II / III / IV
- Clinical Application I / II / III / IV
- Critical Care I / II
- Applied Psychology
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- RT Certification Prep
- Medical Law & Ethics
Our Respiratory Therapy Clinical Sites
Uniontown Campus
- UPMC: Mercy Hospital, Shadyside Hospital, St. Margaret Hospital, McKeesport Hospital, Magee Women’s Hospital
- Allegheny Health Network: Forbes Hospital, Jefferson Hospital
- Excela Health: Westmoreland Hospital, Latrobe Hospital, Frick Hospital
- WVU Healthcare: West Virginia University Hospital, Uniontown Hospital, United Hospital Center
- Washington Hospital
Hermitage Campus
- University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, Geauga Medical Center, and Bedford Medical Center
- UPMC Horizon, Hamot, Northwest, and Jameson
- Bon Secours Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital & St. Joseph Hospital
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
- Andover Village Skilled Nursing
- Heritage Valley Health System
THIS LIST IS A SAMPLE OF COURSES. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COURSE OFFERINGS, FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW.
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Your Career Pathway
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RT Accreditation Information
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC): visit their WEB SITE. Programmatic outcomes data can be found HERE. CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. The AST Degree Respiratory Therapy program at Laurel Business Institute (CoARC program number 200521) located in Uniontown, PA and Laurel Technical Institute (CoARC program number 200567) located at Hermitage, PA both hold the status of “Continuing Accreditation.” For additional information, resources about the field of Respiratory Therapy visit these organizations: AARC and NBRC
Occupation Outlook
Laurel encourages all prospective students to fully research employment opportunities when choosing a program of study. Please click the links below to learn more.
O*NET OnLine Occupation Search
Popular Occupations:
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
For a full program outline, see our school catalogs
Laurel Graduate Spotlight
Stephen Rubinosky
GRADUATION: MAY 2023
PROGRAM OF STUDY: RESPIRATORY THERAPY
OCCUPATION: HERITAGE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM AS A RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONER
Rebecca Gessler
GRADUATION: MAY 2023
PROGRAM OF STUDY: RESPIRATORY THERAPY
OCCUPATION: REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST AT UPMC EAST
Meet the Program Directors
Maria Schmucker
LBI UNIONTOWN RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
MBA/MHA, BS, RRT
“The Respiratory Therapy program, at Laurel, is rooted in the deep tradition of the school producing exemplary graduates. Our class sizes meet individual needs while promoting and supporting professional/ personal growth, development and critical thinking skills. As a graduate of the Respiratory Therapy program, you will possess the skills needed to communicate with all members of the healthcare team to evaluate and care for patients with cardiopulmonary problems.”
Stacey Beckinger
LTI HERMITAGE RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
RRT, CPFT, MBA
“The Respiratory Therapy Program at LTI prepares students with skills they need to provide great patient care, and introduces them to the many healthcare settings and career paths they can grow in as a respiratory therapist.”