Gwynedd Mercy University offers a wide range of educational advantages, making it one of the most prominent Baccalaureate Respiratory Care Programs in PA.
Our students have a near 100% pass rate on the Certified Respiratory Therapist exam (administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care) and our Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) pass rates exceed the national average by more than 20%. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the program was recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) to receive the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award with a 90+% pass rate over the past 3-year cycle.
Other benefits of choosing GMercyU's Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Care include the ability to:
- Acquire the value of a four-year degree from a program that’s accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and University Commission on Higher Education with its base Associate Degree program for entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care
- Progress in a career ladder approach (a 3+1 model, with the first 3 years representing the Associate Degree and the final year being a degree completion culminating in the Bachelor of Health Science Degree)
- Gain hands-on experience through GMercyU’s 21 regional health care affiliations
- Get a head start on your career with full employment eligibility after year three
- Participate in a fulfilling and exciting learning experience with the personal attention you need
- Attend courses taught by our experienced faculty who are published and present at state, national and international conferences and conventions
- Experience GMercyU’s state-of-the-art Respiratory Care Laboratory with cutting edge technology and a comprehensive array of equipment, models, mannequins and simulators
As a graduate with a bachelor of health science in respiratory care, you’ll have first-hand experience, and be prepared to:
- Use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and competently treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders
- Administer oxygen therapy, deliver inhaled medications, and initiate and maintain life support equipment, such as mechanical ventilators, among other responsibilities
- Work in large academic medical centers, community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long term care and even the home care setting
- Provide care for patients of all ages (from newborns, to children, to adults and the elderly)
- Enter entry-level leadership positions in education or management/ supervision
You’ll leave GMercyU’s program with the highest level of professional preparation within the field of respiratory care. All graduates of our bachelor’s degree program are:
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), which is the entry-level credential
- Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT), which is the highest level of credential
Our curriculum will take you beyond entry-level capabilities, and teach you advanced-level respiratory care skills. Your clinical rotations will expose you to university teaching hospitals, pediatric and neonatal centers, community hospitals and alternate care sites.
The Need for Qualified Respiratory Care Therapists
An aging population, advancing technology and the significant increase in chronic, debilitating diseases, such as asthma and COPD, point to considerable growth and opportunity in this profession. COPD has just become the third leading cause of death in the US and the number of diagnosed asthmatics continues to rise. Your bachelor’s degree in respiratory care will qualify you to specialize and focus on the lungs and the heart, and to secure specialty credentials in areas such as adult critical care, neonatal/ pediatrics, pulmonary function testing, and asthma education. Additionally, you will be prepared to work in pulmonary rehabilitation, sleep medicine, and home care. You may also pursue leadership roles as a respiratory care supervisor, department director, clinical preceptor, classroom educator, disease manager, and/or in patient advocacy.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory therapists diagnose and treat lung and heart problems in patients. They work as part of the medical team that administers medications, manages airways, and conducts rehabilitation activities. Here are some other job responsibilities:
- Manage ventilation machines
- Assess lung capacity
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Develop and implement treatment plans
- Consult with physicians
- Monitor and record progress of treatment plans
- Educate patients about diseases and their treatments
Increase the value of your degree by adding an undergraduate minor. GMercyU offers a wide variety of minors so you can choose the one that best meets your personal and professional goals.
