Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with lung and heart problems. They administer medications, manage airways and perform cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. ​Respiratory therapists play a critical role in healthcare and work in emergency rooms, intensive care units, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and even sleep centers. To learn more about the respiratory therapist profession, review this video developed by Be An RT.

Job responsibilities include:

• Manage ventilators
• Assess lung capacity
• Perform diagnostic tests
• Develop and implement treatment plans
• Monitor and record progress of treatment plan
• Educate patients about diseases and their treatments

Respiratory Therapy is a health profession in demand. According to BLS, Respiratory Therapists (RTs) have an overall growth rate of 23% (much faster than average). The national salary range is between $65,687 and $78,591.

The national demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic created an acute shortage of RTs. This proposed program is in collaboration with National Jewish Health, the leading hospital for respiratory care in the United States.  

Jefferson College of Health Professions, in collaboration with National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado plans to offer the following Bachelor Degree in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) programs starting in the fall semester:

Entry Into Practice BS in Respiratory Therapy

The Entry Into Practice BSRT program consists of:

• 60 credits of general education and core competency requirements that students can complete at Jefferson or transfer from a regionally accredited institution. 
• 60 credits of major respiratory therapy foundational courses.
• All didactic coursework will be fully online for students located in Denver and Philadelphia.
• Clinical and Lab experiences will be completed at local affiliated institutions in either the Philadelphia-metro and Denver-metro areas.

Degree Advancement BS in Respiratory Therapy - RRT to BSRT

The Degree Advancement program allows licensed Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) who have completed an Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited CoARC program to earn a BS in Respiratory Therapy program. The program consists of:

• Up to 80 transfer credits including at least 40 credits of General Education courses completed at a regionally accredited institution.
• 40 credits of respiratory therapy advanced courses and electives.
• All didactic coursework will be fully online.

Entry into Practice
The Thomas Jefferson University/National Jewish Health, program # 200652, BS RT Entry into Practice, in Philadelphia, PA, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).

This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Degree Advancement
The Thomas Jefferson University/National Jewish Health, program # 510030, BS RT Degree Advancement, in Philadelphia, PA, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).

This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit.