Ochsner Allied Health Sciences' Respiratory Care Program is in consortium with Our Lady of Holy Cross College and shares in the College's mission of dedication to teaching, research, and service to the community.
Program Description
The program is an intense comprehensive program combining academic preparation with didactic and clinical study culminating in either an Associate or a Baccalaureate degree. The clinical professional training component is a full-time program entailing 40 hours per week.
The respiratory care programs at Ochsner are nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
The respiratory care program offers an Advanced Level therapist training. A Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded upon completion of the program by Our Lady of Holy Cross College.
Students are eligible to take national examinations in respiratory care and to apply for state licensure through the State Board of Medical Examiners. A state license is required to practice in Louisiana.
The program faculty takes great pride in the clinical competency skills and professionalism of its graduates. Our primary objective is the development of students who are highly trained and specifically prepared for a career in respiratory care. In keeping with this goal, our program emphasizes the importance of professionalism, responsibility, teamwork, and the patient management and care skills required of a respiratory therapist.
Successful students are those who are highly motivated, have strong time management skills, can adapt to and enjoy rapidly changing technology and environments, and can tolerate the stress brought on by educational constraints and patient care. Our students must be of a physical and an emotional state that will allow them to meet all educational requirements, clinically and didactically. This involves the cognitive ability to understand and retain educational information comprehensively, along with advanced problem-solving and communication skills. Successful students must also possess physical capabilities, including the moving of patients and equipment in the clinical setting, and a level of maturity to be a “team player” and understand the importance of professionalism in our community of caring.