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Become a Respiratory Therapist

 

Close up of female hands holding medical respiratory equipment. Man lying on hospital bed and doctor arm on blurred backgroundA respiratory therapist helps patients who are having trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists work under the direction of doctors and treat a range of patients, from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people with lung disease. They give patients oxygen, manage ventilators, and administer drugs to the lungs.

Scope of practice

Respiratory therapists work with doctors and nurses to treat patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. In a typical day, respiratory therapists may:

  • Assist with diagnosing lung or breathing disorders
  • Evaluate patients and performing tests and studies
  • Determine appropriate therapy and treatment options with physicians
  • Analyze blood and sputum in the lab
  • Manage equipment and devices needed to help people that can’t breathe normally on their own
  • Educate patients and families about lung diseases and breathing disorders

Specializations

There are many different areas that respiratory therapists can specialize in. Some areas require extra certification or experience.

Work environment

Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and home health agencies; however, about 75% of respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals. They typically work 35-40 hour weeks. Depending on where they work, they may work nights, weekends, and holidays, especially if they do direct patient care in hospitals or nursing homes. Shifts can be long, and respiratory therapists typically spend most of their shift on their feet.

Becoming a respiratory therapist

Individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, should be detail oriented and well organized. It’s important to have strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. High school students can prepare for the role by taking advantage of science, math, and health courses.

Higher education requirements

Respiratory therapists can choose to get a two-year associate degree. Mandl School’s Respiratory Therapist degree program is one of the only programs of its kind in the New York Metro area.  Contact us to learn more!

Mandl School, Healthcare Education in NYC

 

Mandl School the College of Allied Health offers one of the more well- rounded platforms of degree programs in New York City.  Unlike many schools and college that only offer a Medical Assisting degree or Health Care Administration degree (both offered by Mandl and considered by many to be the finest in NYC), Mandl offers challenging degree programs such as Healthcare Administration, Medical Assisting, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Certificates in Dental Assistant and Medical Assisting. These and programs are rigorous and acceptance rates are competitive.

Mandl School alumni work.

Mandl alumni from these specialized programs work. The state of Health care and the needs for qualified health care workers has never been higher. There is a real need and for those with a degree, they have a tremendous advantage. If you are looking for a career path in any of these disciplines, your degree is vital. In fact, without it, in many cases, you cannot become certified.

Mandl School Equal Opportunity Policy

Internships help start careers.

Mandl School Internships can make the difference between being job ready and still needing experience. Hospitals, clinics, private offices, urgent care, etc. all look for experience. Mandl has a fantastic Internship Program that will have you ready to start with experience.

Mandl School Career Development Center

Get started now!

Fall 2023 is quickly approaching. Getting started now means you are ready to sit for classes faster. This time next year, you are well on your way to a great career. Contact us today to learn more – we’ll help you get started!

Medical Assisting Students at Mandl School

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Is a College Degree Worth it? Yes!

Ultrasound patient with medical professional

When deciding between a college degree verses no college degree, there are a variety of factors to consider. Depending on your career aspirations, you may or may not need to earn a college degree.

Healthcare Careers

If you are interested in a career in Healthcare, a college degree is quite important. Many places of hire require a degree and many careers within healthcare require licensing and certification and your degree is your ticket to preparing for these exams. Mandl School offers associate degrees in some of the most competitive and fastest growing careers in Healthcare.including Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Respiratory Therapy and Surgical Technologist.  

By evaluating the potential benefits and job opportunities of each option and weighing them against potential disadvantages, you can make an importance decision about your education going forward. Here are the top advantages to having a college degree.

Advantages to a College Degree

Creates networking opportunities: When you attend a college degree program, you get the chance to connect with a variety of other young professionals who have similar interests and career aspirations. This can help you build friendships and make important connections. Your classmates can become professional references, business partners and potential employer connections that can drive your job search.

Helps market candidates to employers: Having a college degree can help candidates standout to employers when they include their degree details on their resume. A college degree shows employers that candidates have the ability to learn and excel with multiple priorities (courses) at a time.

Without a degree you could potentially earn less on an annual basis: In some situations, those without a college degree can excel and maximize their earnings. However, it may take longer for them to achieve the same annual salary as those with college degrees. As the worker moves up the ladder, often those with a college degree will travel further and also at a higher salary all the way up.

So is an Associates Degree worth it?

According to CollegePossible.org, the answer is “yes,” and a resounding “yes!” Here are just a few reasons to believe in the value of a college degree:

  • Higher salaries, employment rates and greater job satisfaction.
  • Better health outcomes and greater life expectancy.
  • Greater job safety. The incidence of receiving workers’ compensation is 2.4 times lower.
  • Better citizenship. Those with college degrees are more than twice as likely to volunteer.
  • Stronger economies and communities. In part due to increased income from taxes, but there is also a direct correlation between an increase in a community’s college-educated population and income growth for workers of all education levels.

Mandl School has helped thousands of graduates find employment in the Healthcare industry. We’d like to help you. Apply today to learn more!

July 2021 Newsletter

 

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