Celebrating Respiratory Care Week at Kalamazoo Valley

Respiratory Care Week is celebrated annually during the last week in October. The celebration is to help raise awareness for the profession and recognize the amazing work of respiratory therapists who care for patients with breathing difficulties and improve lung health.

"We are excited to celebrate respiratory care week to help bring much needed awareness to this career path. Currently the career is not very well known, despite respiratory therapists important front-line role in caring for patients with COVID," said Kalamazoo Valley's Respiratory Therapy Program Director Susan Pearson.

Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat and care for patients with heart and lung diseases. They manage sophisticated life-support systems for adults, children and premature infants. Pearson explained that first-year students in the college's respiratory therapy program participate in classroom and laboratory instruction and during the second semester in the program, they start their hospital clinical experience. Second-year students are polishing their skills in the intensive care units.

After earning an associate degree, respiratory therapists can take the national board exam to gain state licensing to work in the field. There are many bachelor degree opportunities for advancement. Pearson said now, more than ever, respiratory therapists are in demand. "They are in desperate need," she said. "I get emails from all around the country and 100 percent of our graduates are receiving job assignments."

The training program is fast paced and so is the job itself, Pearson said. Respiratory therapists use high tech equipment to assess patients' breathing and respond rapidly to crucial changes. "If you can't breathe, nothing else matters," Pearson said, "We're the gatekeepers of the airways."

Respiratory therapists care for people not only with chronic breathing conditions, but also those who have suffered heart attacks, strokes, or shock. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapy is becoming a desirable field. The Bureau estimates that between 2010 and 2020, there will be a 28% increase in the number of respiratory therapists. The growth won't let up as aging Baby Boomers need more specialized care.

"If you're looking for a rewarding career with strong earning potential, then you can't go wrong with respiratory therapy," Pearson said. According to salary.com, the average registered respiratory therapist salary in Michigan is $73,300 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $66,597 and $79,683.

For more information about Kalamazoo Valley's respiratory care practitioner Associate of Applied Science degree, go to www.kvcc.edu/programs/health_careers/rcp.php.

Health careers applications for the Fall 2023 semester will be accepted online from April 1 to 15. Access the application at https://p2.kvcc.edu/utilities/health_careers/.