ACTC Will Hold Respiratory Pre-Conference

Ashland Community and Technical College will hold a Respiratory Care Preconference Thursday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the College Drive Campus.

The preconference is for people interested in applying for the Respiratory Care-Advanced Level Program offered by a consortium of ACTC, Morehead State University (MSU) and Maysville Community and Technical College - Rowan County Campus.

Attendance of a preconference session or a meeting with the program coordinator is one of the requirements for application to the program that starts in Spring 2014, and the October 3 meeting is the only one held in Ashland this fall.

The program prepares graduates to take an active role in maintaining and/or restoring cardiopulmonary function. In addition to helping clients with chronic breathing problems, respiratory therapists may provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, stroke, drowning, or shock.

Classroom instruction is supplemented with learning experiences in the campus laboratory and area hospitals, and students are responsible for transportation to clinical sites.

All technical core courses are held at the Maysville Rowan County Campus. Students are registered at ACTC or MSU and take their general education courses at their home campus. ACTC students complete all admission requirements, receive financial aid, register for class, pay tuition and fees, and complete their general education courses at ACTC.

The program meets the standards of the Commission on the Accreditation for Respiratory Care. Students completing the program earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Care and are qualified to take the national board examination to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist.

Although hospitals employ the majority of respiratory therapists, other employers include home care providers, medical clinics and nursing homes.

Jobs for respiratory therapists are expected to grow by 27 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the Kentucky Occupational Outlook. This increase is due to the growth in the middle-aged and elderly population that needs respiratory services and treatments. The average pay for Kentucky respiratory therapists in 2011 was $21.66 per hour.

Respiratory Care is a selective admission program. Selection is based on ACT/COMPASS scores and documentation of observation hours, and completion or currently enrollment in required courses. Prior to starting classes, CPR certification must be obtained.

The application deadline is November 15. The Respiratory Care Application is online at: maysville.kctcs.edu under Programs of Study. Application to the program does not guarantee admission

Students not enrolled at ACTC must also submit an ACTC application, and the application is available at ashland.kctcs.edu and in the Admissions Offices at the College Drive and Technology Drive Campuses.

For more information, contact Coordinator Marlene Vice at MSU, 606.783.1538 or email: marlene.vice@kctcs.edu.