Respiratory Therapy Program Open House December 9 at NVCC

Waterbury, Conn. – The division of Allied Health, Nursing and Physical Education at Naugatuck Valley Community College is holding an open house from 4-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, for anyone interested in pursuing a career in respiratory care. The event will be held in Room 634 of Ekstrom Hall at the college’s main campus, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.  

The program is accepting applications until January 15 for the fall 2009 semester. The program accepts up to twenty students annually.

Respiratory therapists work collaboratively with physicians to care for patients with lung problems and breathing disorders. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for respiratory therapists is expected to climb 23% through 2016.

“Respiratory Therapists are an important part of the healthcare team,” said Margaret Guerrera, BS, RRT, program director. “Students can expect to find work very quickly after graduation.”   
           
NVCC has clinical affiliates at Bridgeport, Charlotte Hungerford, St. Raphael’s, St. Mary’s, Waterbury and Yale-New Haven hospitals, as well as the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Gaylord Health and Rehabilitation Center, Hospital for Special Care and Pulmonary Associates of Waterbury. Graduates will start at approximately $46,500 annually with an associate degree, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.