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Each fall, Northeast Iowa Community College students and faculty celebrate "Respiratory Care Week" to spotlight these dedicated professionals who provide vital support and care for patients grappling with lung and heart diseases. From navigating the complexities of ventilator management to leading crucial educational initiatives, respiratory therapists are on the front lines, ensuring that every breath counts. "A respiratory therapist (RT) is a crucial member of the healthcare team trained to treat people with lung and heart diseases. They treat patients dealing with pulmonary distress due to complications from asthma, bronchitis, COPD, pneumonia, chest trauma, prematurity, COVID-19, RSV and many more," said Amy Rausch, NICC Respiratory Care program director. What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Intubate patients by inserting a breathing tube into their lungs Monitor breathing and pulmonary mechanics on the ventilator Assist with managing ventilator parameters to optimize the patient's ventilator support Give medications through mist, dry powder, or other inhalers Clear mucus from the lungs or expand collapsed lungs Perform diagnostic testing with pulmonary function tests Provide education and pulmonary rehabilitation Conduct sleep studies Assist with bronchoscopy Assist with transporting critically ill neonates and adult patients Because respiratory therapists are in high demand in northeast Iowa and the region, the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) has awarded a $10,000 scholarship to NICC to help students with the cost of textbooks, travel expenses for clinicals and board examinations after graduation. Scholarships provide critical support for healthcare students at NICC, said Anna Berns, Executive Director of Advancement. "Scholarships are a critical part of student retention and success. Recent financial aid data shows that 59 percent of students at NICC worry about paying for school. These scholarships help our RT students successfully graduate and enter the local workforce," Berns said. If you would like to set up a job shadow in Respiratory Care, please contact Amy Rausch at 844-64-2338, ext. 2274, or rauscha@nicc.edu. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.

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So You Can Breathe Easy: NICC Celebrates Respiratory Care Week