Zachary Kern likes working directly with his patients. As a student in the Vermont Tech Respiratory Therapy program he got to do just that.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zach began his medical career at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as a phlebotomist. He says that this position has helped him get his foot in the door of the medical field. To further his career, Zach explored his options at Vermont Tech.
“I chose Vermont Tech due to the fantastic reviews, and also the location of the college itself.”
Zach initially applied for the nursing program but due to limited capacity was referred to the Respiratory Therapy program instead.
“I was sent an email about interest in Respiratory Therapy that was starting in the White River Junction campus at CCV. Upon several days of research into the job and what it entails, it actually fit what I was looking for more than being a nurse did.”
Respiratory Therapists are crucial members of the care team at most hospitals. They are responsible for maintaining airways for patients who have trouble breathing normally because of trauma or illness.
Zach says, “I can only imagine how scared patients can be when they lose their ability to effectively breathe on their own. My goal is to make a difference in the lives of my patients so that way they can go back home to their families and live in hopefully better conditions than the condition they were admitted in.”
The Respiratory Therapy program at Vermont Tech demands the best from its students. Zach’s advice is to, “Be prepared to study and focus a lot of time and effort into this program. Respiratory therapy is a rigorous program that is extremely rewarding if you put the effort in. The impact you can make on the lives of others is unmatched.”