By Katlyn Proctor | Eagle Times Associate Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — A weeklong celebration for respiratory therapists is coming from Oct. 22-28 to honor health care professionals in a field that has grown tremendously since COVID-19. As Respiratory Care Week approaches, River Valley Community College (RVCC) is highlighting the passion and purpose that comes with a career in respiratory care.
“Respiratory therapists work in home care, disease management positions, pulmonary rehabilitation, sleep labs and doctor’s offices. The ability to continually grow professionally and provide lifesaving care to our patients, as well as improving patient’s quality of life, is so exciting and rewarding,” said Kathy Hilliard, respiratory therapy associate professor and program director for respiratory therapy at RVCC. “The respiratory field incorporates respiratory services across all age groups from neonatal to geriatrics.”
Respiratory care professionals work closely with patients in diagnosing, treating and caring for an array of respiratory services that include the heart and kidney along with the lungs. Health care professionals in this field will treat diagnoses such as asthma, heart disorders, emphysema and similar ailments.
The only respiratory therapy program offered in the state of New Hampshire is right here in Claremont at RVCC, a scholastic pursuit with a big purpose.
The program prepares students to acquire skills in the management, treatment, diagnosis and care of people with cardiopulmonary disease. Training includes the use of medical gases, ventilator life support, aerosol medication delivery and patient education. The two-year program includes a summer session and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
“Respiratory care is vital in delivering critical care services and complex medical care,” said Hilliard, who has been a respiratory therapist now for 40 years. “Many hospitals in New Hampshire and across our country have a greater than 30 percent vacancy in these crucial positions.”
COVID-19 completely ambushed the field, creating a dire need for respiratory therapists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that need has projected the profession to grow 14 percent over the next 10 years, especially as the effects of the pandemic continue to linger.
Getting started is easy as long as you’re passionate about science, Hilliard said.
“First someone needs to love the sciences subjects of anatomy, physiology and microbiology. I always recommend that they complete as many of the basic core college courses prior to starting the Respiratory Therapy programmatic courses,” she said. “The program is a full two-year program; our classes are set up so that a student only has to come to RVCC a maximum of two days a week.”
There are so many different ways to use a degree as a respiratory therapist, and Professor Ken Czechowicz RRT RCP MS knows firsthand.
“I have had numerous opportunities to practice in many areas of respiratory therapy including hyperbaric medicine. I have been a respiratory manager for an area hospital. I have opportunities to do research for new medical devices with Smith Medical as overseas manager of clinical affairs,” said Czechowicz, respiratory therapy professor and director of clinical education for the respiratory program and faculty at RVCC. Like Hilliard, he has also been a celebrated respiratory therapist for 40 years.
Clearly, it’s a medical field that people are passionate about — and an important one at that.
“Respiratory therapy is a critical piece of the American health care system, and truly our nursing partners and all members of the health care team for that matter, need respiratory therapists to care for those in need of health care services,” Hilliard said.
To learn more or find more information on how to get started, visit them online.
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