Respiratory Therapy
Breathe life into your future with a career in Respiratory Therapy. You can be on the front lines of healthcare, helping patients breathe easier and making a real difference every day. Ready to get started? Keep reading.
What is Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory therapy is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on helping people who have trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages who have conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or other lung and heart issues. They use advanced equipment and techniques to assess, treat, and monitor breathing problems in hospitals, clinics, and home care settings.
Is Respiratory Therapy right for Me?
If you enjoy helping others, are interested in health and science, and want a hands-on career where you can make a real impact, respiratory therapy might be right for you. This field is a great fit for people who are calm under pressure, good at solving problems, and comfortable working closely with patients and medical teams. If you’re looking for a meaningful career that you can start in just two years, this could be the path for you.
Respiratory Therapy Degree
Find details for the program in our catalog.
Careers
The Respiratory Therapy AS Degree prepares graduates for both State licensure and national certification in Respiratory Therapy. Employment outlook is excellent for respiratory therapists with the 2023 median wage in Kern County, CA is $85,197, while the national median wage is $77,958. Employment growth is expected to increase by 7.1%.
See your Counselor and/or a Transfer Specialist for specific questions, options, and opportunities.
Accreditation
Bakersfield College is currently in the process of seeking Commission on Accreditation on Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation for the respiratory care program. However, Bakersfield College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC. Graduation from a respiratory therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation on Respiratory Care (CoARC) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
See more about accreditation of this program.
Dept./Pathway
Academic Department: Allied Health
Career & Learning Pathway: Health Sciences (HS)
Not sure where to start? Let us help.
Meet with a CTE Advisor
Take the right classes to meet your education and career goals. Create your Comprehensive
Student Education Plan (CSEP) with your Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisor.
Call (661) 395-4402 for an appointment.
Not sure about your career path?
Take the career quiz to discover the perfect career based on your personality type and interests.
