Andrew College announces approval of Respiratory Therapy degree program

CUTHBERT — Andrew College received official notification late last month from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges that the agency has granted their request to begin an associate’s degree program in respiratory therapy.

Andrew College President Linda Buchanan said that the college is pleased to receive approval and that students are now being accepted for fall 2019 enrollment. She said that she is happy that the college will be adding another regionally relevant degree program to its curriculum.

Katie Brown, program director of respiratory therapy, is currently working on the program accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. This accreditation status will provide graduates of the program immediate access to take the National Board of Respiratory Care Exam in order to earn the credentials of Registered Respiratory Therapist. The course curriculum requires theoretical knowledge as well as clinical practicum hours spent at local hospitals, doctor’s offices and sleep clinics.

“Recent conversations with area community leaders, external stakeholders and health care leaders have identified a serious shortage of respiratory therapists in our area,” Brown said. She said she is working with area hospitals for collaborative works and internship opportunities that will be offered to Andrew’s respiratory therapy students.

Students in the Respiratory Therapy program will complete course work that will train them to take care of patients who have trouble breathing. Their patients will range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients who have such lung diseases as COPD and emphysema. These students will complete clinical rotations at surrounding community health care facilities and assist in providing emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning or shock.

Upon graduation and earning the credentials of Registered Respiratory Therapist, students can choose many different career paths. A few of the options available are to work at area hospitals in adult intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, allergy and asthma clinics, emergency departments, or continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree.