2020 Nursing Page Update

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists are active in patient care. With a physician’s supervision, you’ll be at the heart of diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventative care in patients with cardiopulmonary problems.

Study respiratory therapy at a college that knows hands-on experience is the best way for you to learn. With our joint program with WellSpan York Hospital, you’ll get a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work as you learn how to treat and manage emergency and chronic cardiopulmonary situations, such as heart failure, asthma, emphysema, premature birth and more.

Everyone from premature babies to the elderly have a need for respiratory care, leading to an ongoing demand for respiratory therapists; we have a strong record of job placement for our graduates. It’s a career with a lot of variety as well, as you can work anywhere from a hospital or rehabilitation center to retirement centers, patients’ homes, doctor’s offices and more. You’ll be able to choose a specialty in your last year of clinical. The Baccalaureate of Science Respiratory Therapy Program (CoARC# 210273) at York College of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). Read our outcomes report where you’ll see we top dozens of other schools in job placement and on certification testing.

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A respiratory therapy student wears a medical mask as she adjusts tubing for a patient on a respirator.

Clinical Experience

  • Clinical Requirements

    Clinical Requirements

    Admission to York College does not guarantee admission to the hospital clinical program.

    • Complete the core requirements of study at the College with a minimum of 2.5 (Recommended is 3.0) in each required courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 is recommended in order to be competitive when applying for clinical. 
    • The clinical portion of the program begins the summer following your sophomore year. 
    • Students will complete two years of core requirements and two years of clinical experience at WellSpan York Hospitals. 
    • Graduates must receive their bachelor's degree before being eligible to take the exams to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
  • Clinical Locations

    Clinical Locations

    During the senior year, students get an opportunity to choose a specialty clinical rotation. Students are encouraged to choose an area that interests them or that they may want to pursue as a career avenue after graduation. 

    Potential Clinical Locations include: 

    • WellSpan Health
    • John Hopkins
    • Hershey Medical Center
    • University of Maryland
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does a Respiratory Therapist do?

    • Managing life support mechanical ventilation systems
    • Administering aerosol-based medications
    • Monitoring equipment relating to cardiopulmonary therapy
    • Analyzing chest x-rays and sputum specimens
    • Performing tests and studies related to the cardiopulmonary system (e.g., examinations, stress tests, etc.)
    • Counseling individuals in cardiopulmonary health (e.g., asthma education, smoking cessation, etc.)
    • Consulting with physicians and members of the medical team to recommend a change in therapy

    What is the median salary? The median salary for a Respiratory Therapist is $50,000 - $60,000 per year.

    Is there a job demand in this field? With an aging population and increased diagnostic and evaluative technology, the job growth rate is expected to increase 22-24% through 2026. 

    What are some possible places for employment for a respiratory therapist?

    • Acute care hospital
    • Diagnostic labs
    • Sleep disorder clinics
    • Rehabilitation facilities
    • Long-term acute care facilities
    • Medical device manufacturers
  • Program Handbook

    Department of Health Professions Clinical Program Handbook

    Students enrolled in a clinical program are expected to follow the York College Department of Health Professions' established policies and practices. The Clinical Program Handbook serves as a guide to support students' awareness of these policies and provide advice about how to best adhere to them throughout your academic experience.

    View the Clinical Program Handbook

Program Requirements

Required Courses and Degree Requirements for Graduation
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Related Programs

Contact Us
Health Professions Department
Tony Ruppert, Director
Respiratory Care Program
Wellspan York Hospital, 1001 S. George St.
Phone: 717.851.2464
truppert@wellspan.org
Hours:
Contact for appt.

Learn more about York College's Respiratory Therapy program from the WellSpan Health website.