{"id":4400,"date":"2018-02-23T14:01:55","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T19:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=4400"},"modified":"2025-01-06T13:42:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T18:42:19","slug":"how-to-become-a-respiratory-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/how-to-become-a-respiratory-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Connecticut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nationwide, the number of new Respiratory Therapist (RT) positions is expected to increase 23 percent in the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Connecticut healthcare employers anticipate that, collectively, more than 30<\/a> Respiratory Therapist jobs will open in the state each year.<\/p>\n

Respiratory therapy is one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers today, and one of the most rewarding to get into! Respiratory Therapists diagnose, assess, and treat patients suffering from lung conditions and breathing difficulties: asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart attack, and other cardiopulmonary\u00a0issues. They are a vital part of healthcare team and critical to all patient care.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in a thriving career in healthcare \u2013 a promising career in helping others \u2013 Respiratory Care is a great field to pursue. The question is, where do you begin? How do you become a Respiratory Therapist (RT) today? What does Connecticut require of aspiring RTs?<\/p>\n

Step 1: Get a College Education.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In every state including Connecticut, Respiratory Therapists are required to earn at least an Associate degree from an accredited Respiratory Therapy school<\/a>. Goodwin College\u2019s RT program in Connecticut, for example, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.<\/p>\n

Whether you are just starting out in healthcare or are looking the breathe new life into your current job, the Respiratory Therapy program at Goodwin College can be a great jumping off point for you.<\/p>\n

In our Respiratory Care program, you will learn the ins and outs of cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, respiratory diagnostics and therapeutics. As you work towards your Associate degree, you will also take advanced courses in critical care, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Combined with your classroom experiences, you will also gain clinical RT training<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Gain Hands-on, Clinical Training.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the on-campus Respiratory Therapist classes<\/a>, you can expect to gain clinical experiences in your college-level program. Clinicals allow students to gain supervised, practical experience in active patient care settings. Getting this first-hand experience with respiratory tools and patients in need is a great way to hone your skills and prepare for your future career.<\/p>\n

Students enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program at Goodwin College are required to complete a series of four clinicals before earning an Associate degree. We want you to learn by doing. We want you to succeed. In your clinical experiences, you will learn how to:<\/p>\n