Respiratory Care

Overview

The Respiratory Care Program is designed to provide students with a unique education in preparation for a satisfying professional career as advanced respiratory care practitioners. The program strives to prepare excellent clinicians who are also able to assume leadership roles in management, education, research and clinical practice. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers two degree plans: the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) and the Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC). Prospective students have several degree and curriculum options to choose from to achieve their academic goals.

Respiratory Care, also known as respiratory therapy, is an exciting and challenging health profession that specializes in the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies. Respiratory Therapists (RTs) work in cooperation with physicians to care for patients with a wide range of breathing disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and breathing issues due to premature birth.  

Most RTs begin their practice in a variety of  areas within hospitals, such as the intensive critical care units, neonatal/pediatric intensive care units, flight teams and cardiopulmonary diagnostics. However, with the rapid growth of the profession, many RTs practice in alternate sites such as physician offices, long term acute care hospitals, patients homes, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation clinics, tobacco cessation programs, and in chronic disease management. Thus, RTs work across a wide range of clinical settings and across the population spectrum, ranging from newborn and pediatric patients, to adults and the elderly. 

Over the last few years, the role of the respiratory therapist has expanded greatly. It is anticipated the need for respiratory therapists will grow faster than average over the next 10 years. Respiratory therapists are needed to serve on multidisciplinary teams in the health care setting. Respiratory therapists may choose to become highly skilled clinicians, supervisors, managers, educators and researchers.

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care and Master of Science in Respiratory Care programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas 76021-4244, phone (817) 283-2835, fax (817) 354-8519