Most people take breathing for granted.
But for the thousands of Americans who suffer from breathing problems, each breath is a major accomplishment. There are more than 100,000 respiratory care practitioners in the United States. An increasing number of practitioners have branched out into alternate care settings such as nursing homes, physicians' offices, home health agencies, specialized care hospitals, medical equipment supply companies, and patients' homes. The outlook for respiratory care professionals is expected to grow in the coming years due to the large increase in the elderly population, the impact of environmental problems that have contributed to breathing problems, and technological advances that are prolonging the lives of those suffering from heart attack, cancer and accidents, as well as premature babies. The program is accredited by the Commission on accreditation of Allied Health Programs.