Tucson, CA - Respiratory therapists and their patients will breathe a little easier as opportunities in Arizona's growing healthcare field continue to expand. Respiratory therapists are responsible for evaluating, treating and caring for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Working under a physician's direction, these trained professionals assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians.

Respiratory therapists treat a variety of patients who range in age from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs who often need to be on ventilators, to elderly people with pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists also treat patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as administering care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock.

An increase of care for the middle-aged and elderly population who are at higher risk for cardiopulmonary disease is expected to make the demand even greater for respiratory therapists - especially in Arizona. Older Americans suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the need for respiratory therapist will increase as well.

Job opportunities are particularly bright for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states in their newly released data that the profession is expected to add some 37,837 new jobs between now and 2012.

Anticipating this growing need for healthcare practitioners, Pima Medical Institute, 3350 E. Grant Road in Tucson is now accepting students for their respiratory therapy program. This Tucson technical private school is helping to train and advance qualified students into fulfilling careers. Classes begin in May. Prospective students can call (520) 326-1600 to set up an appointment.

Graduates of the 88 credit-hour Respiratory Therapy program receive an Associate of Occupational Science degree. The program consists of classes in medical ethics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, advanced respiratory care techniques (including neonatal and adult special care procedures), general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and the therapeutics that are required to function at the patient's bedside in the hospital setting. Entry-level employment opportunities are available in hospitals, medical centers, medical equipment companies, home health agencies, sub-acute, and extended care facilities.

PMI is one of the premiere medical vocational institutes in the western United States. The privately owned, accredited school provides students with a well-rounded education embracing theoretical classroom studies, as well as on-site training at medical facilities that mirror the working environment they will pursue after graduation.