Overview

While most Respiratory Care Program at the Montana State University - Great Falls College graduateds work in hospitals, an increasing number have branched out into alternative care sites, such as nursing homes, physicians’ offices, home health agencies, specialized care hospitals, medical equipment supply companies, and patients’ homes.

RTs perform both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as:

• Obtaining and analyzing sputum and breath specimens;

• Taking blood specimens and analyzing them to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases;

• Interpreting data obtained from specimens;

• Measuring the capacity of patients' lungs to determine if there is impaired function;

• Performing studies on the cardiopulmonary system;

• Studying disorders of people with disruptive sleep patterns;

• Operating mechanical ventilators for patients who cannot breath adequately;

• Delivering inhaled medications and medical gases;

• Teaching patients with lung disorders to maintain meaningful and active life systems.