Respiratory Therapy

A student with an Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy will be able to:

1. Collect, review, and evaluate clinical data to determine the appropriateness of the prescribed respiratory care plan and participate in its development
2. Initiate, conduct, and modify prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve the desired objectives
3. Assemble, check function, correct malfunctions, and perform quality control of respiratory therapy equipment
4. Acquire knowledge by questioning, analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information
5. Use numbers and formulate relationships between them to analyze, interpret, and develop appropriate strategies for respiratory care
6. Work together with other professionals on the health care team in a manner that fosters mutual respect and facilitates the effective handling of patient care issues
7. Completely document patient care sessions in the medical record in a concise and legible manner following a problem-oriented format and using the SOAP or other generally accepted notation
8. Write clear, coherent, and comprehensive laboratory and clinical case reports
9. Communicate with clients, family members of clients, and members of the healthcare team using appropriate verbal and nonverbal skills
10. Inform the practice of respiratory care by actively seeking new knowledge from colleagues, clients, the community, and related educational research
11. Expand the role of the respiratory therapist as an essential member of the healthcare team
12. Practice respiratory care effectively in a variety of cultural contexts
13. Be aware of the ethical dimension of healthcare and strive to understand and maintain the highest personal and professional standards

Graduates are eligible to attempt the credential examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Upon successful completion of the credential exams, graduates receive the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.

Credentialed respiratory therapists must apply for licensure to practice in Vermont and New Hampshire. The offices of professional regulation require information regarding past history of substance abuse, prior felony convictions, and failure to pay child support or taxes to determine eligibility. Other states requiring licensure for practice may ask similar questions. For more information, please refer to the Vermont Secretary of State or the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.