Clarion University offers a new, three-year Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care at its Venango Campus in Oil City.

The program prepares tomorrow's respiratory specialists in one year less than traditional bachelor's degree programs.

Respiratory care practitioners (respiratory therapists) evaluate and care for individuals who have breathing and other cardiopulmonary ailments ranging from moderate to life threatening.

Respiratory care practitioners work closely with other health care professionals to provide a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic care.

The field of respiratory therapy offers a wide range of career options. Practitioners might work:

In a neonatal intensive care unit, helping a newborn with underdeveloped lungs;

With ICU patients with COPD or who are recovering from open heart surgery or stroke;

In an ER with trauma and accident victims, asthma patients or a child with a foreign body obstruction;

In obstetrics, in labor and delivery, to stabilize breathing in early-term births;

In the operating room to stabilize breathing after surgery or assist with diagnostic procedures.

Respiratory care affords exciting opportunities for career diversity.

After attaining status as an advanced-level respiratory care practitioner, individuals may specialize in areas such as:

Intensive care;

Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care;

Diagnosis of sleep disorders;

Pulmonary function testing;

Education;

Administration;

Medical sales.

Starting salaries for respiratory therapists are $45,000 and above. With the projected increase in demand for respiratory care employees, it is a great return on investment.