Respiratory Therapy Home Page

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PROGRAM APPLICATION

Admission to the Respiratory Therapy Program requires a separate application in addition to an application to the college. Applications to the Respiratory Therapy Program are available January through April of each year. Applications can be obtained from the 2022. Program Application link below or in the Health Sciences office during the application period. ADMISSION INFORMATION for APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Respiratory Care . . . A Profession With A Future!

The Respiratory Therapy Program at Victor Valley College prepares students for a career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, an integral part of the healthcare team. Whether you are new in the work force or changing careers, respiratory therapy provides the opportunity for life-long learning and financial security.

Respiratory therapists care for a wide variety of clients of all ages that experience an array of cardiopulmonary disorders. Physical assessment, care plans, diagnostic testing, pulmonary treatments, and mechanical ventilation (life support) are a few of the primary responsibilities of a respiratory therapist in the clinical setting. For example, respiratory therapists are responsible for identifying the causes of and treatments for symptoms associated with lung diseases, such as emphysema, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and fibrosis. Examples of assessment tools that may be used are basic physical assessment, bedside pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas sampling. Interpretation of the assessment data is used by the respiratory therapist in "therapist-driven" protocols in attempt to improve pulmonary function (or breathing).  Likewise, in the event of a high-risk delivery, where a premature newborn may be at risk for breathing complications, respiratory therapists are responsible for assessing the newborn, assisting with ventilation when needed, working in conjunction with the neonatologist to devise a care plan, and implementing that care plan. These are just two examples of the important role respiratory therapists play in prevention, maintenance, and improvement toward quality of life in clients that experience cardiopulmonary complications. 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Respiratory Care Practitioner

• Critical Care Specialist

• Diagnostic Testing Specialist

• Education

• Home Care

• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Research

• Manufacturing

• Physician Offices and Clinics

Most respiratory therapists are employed in the hospital setting, working 12 hours shifts, usually 3-4 days a week. There are also opportunities in other venues such as long-term facilities, medical equipment companies, pharmaceutical companies, urgent care clinics, polysomnography (sleep-study) clinics, in-home health agencies, physicians' offices, and transport services. Annual earnings of respiratory therapists in California can be found here:  https://www.respiratorytherapistlicense.com/california/california-salary/

Job opportunities continue to grow to accommodate significant increasing life expectancy and biomedical advances. This last decade has produced medical advances at an exponential rate in the treatment of both chronic and acute diseases such as emphysema, asthma, heart failure, trauma, burn care, infant prematurity, cystic fibrosis, infectious diseases, and much more. These advances have increased the demand for competent, critical-thinking respiratory therapists. 

The Victor Valley College Respiratory Therapy Program provides hospital skills and supervised clinical practices in San Bernardino, Riverside Orange and Los Angeles County hospitals and clinics. As a result of the education and training they receive, graduates of the VVC Respiratory Therapy Program pass the National Board for Respiratory Care exams above the National average.

Below is a list of supplies needed. Cost will vary.

• Lab Jacket, navy blue scrubs, program patches

• Name tag from ASB

• Stethoscope

• Watch capable of timing in seconds

• Calculator

• Textbooks 1,500.00

• Malpractice Insurance (Currently $34.00)

• BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP 300.00

• ASB (per semester) 15.00

• Parking pass

• Physical Examination, titers, vaccinations, background check (approximately 350.00)
• Reliable transportation for travel to clinicals

FACULTY – FULL-TIME

Click the name of the faculty member below to view their detailed profile, contact info. and course documentation.

Email: Traci.Marin@vvc.edu

Email: Sean.Cullin@vvc.edu

• • Traci Marin, PHD, MPH, RRT, RPSGT; Program Director
  • Sean Cullin, RRT, NPS Clinical Director