FLCC / ACADEMICS / A.A.S. RESPIRATORY CARE


Respiratory Care is a health care specialty involving the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with cardiopulmonary or heart and lung diseases. Respiratory therapists play an important role working with a team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and other acute care specialists to help patients recover from injury or illness.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to increase by approximately 50 percent by the year 2008. Positions exist with hospitals, medical centers, and other health care facilities that provide a high level of therapeutic care.

Through a regional articulation agreement with Genesee Community College, Finger Lakes Community College offers access to a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. This agreement allows students to apply for admission to the program and complete their first-year course requirements at FLCC's Canandaigua campus. In the second year, they attend classes at GCC and complete clinical internships at health care facilities in their home area. Upon completion of all curriculum requirements, students apply for graduation through GCC and, if all requirements are met, the A.A.S. Respiratory Care degree is awarded.