Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College), central Pennsylvania’s preeminent learning institution for the health care field, announced today that its Respiratory Care program has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
PA College is one of only 23 colleges and universities in the country to win this award, and this is the third year in a row that PA College was honored by CoARC for its Respiratory Care program. In 2020 and 2021, the College received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award.
“Our Respiratory Care program uses real-life scenarios, simulated learning and classes taught by experienced faculty to prepare students for their roles in hospitals, sub-acute care facilities, home care and more,” said Joel Benner, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Respiratory Care program director. “Our department is thrilled to receive this award and will continue to push for the most advanced respiratory treatment education in the country.”
PA College’s Respiratory Care program was chosen by CoARC’s board of directors for The President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success because it demonstrates the following criteria:
- Has three or more years of outcomes data;
- Holds accreditation without a progress report;
- Maintains documented RRT credentialing success of 100 percent;
- Meets or exceeds established CoARC thresholds for TMC high cut score and retention.
Both the President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success and the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award recognize the College in preparing its Respiratory Care students to achieve the highest educational and professional aspirations. The award is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement and is based on a rolling three-year average of factors like test scores, retention, and student/employer satisfaction.
“On behalf of all faculty, staff members and students, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is honored to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Mary Grace Simcox, president of Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. “The field of respiratory care is more critical than ever, and it is our mission to pave the way for a brighter future for healthcare. We’re thrilled to be recognized for the high-quality education we strive for, as well as our students’ success and commitment.”
The Respiratory Care degree program culminates in a guaranteed placement period with one of PA College’s clinical affiliates. According to most recent data from CoARC, PA College graduates awarded a Respiratory Care Associate Degree maintain a 97 percent placement rate. The current national placement rate is 86 percent. Program gradates also hold a 100 percent employer satisfaction rate and a 100 percent RRT credentialing success rate.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for respiratory therapists is $61,830. Employment demand for respiratory therapists is projected to grow 14 percent through the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an even greater need for licensed, skilled respiratory therapists to provide critical care for patients with severe pulmonary conditions caused by the virus.
For more information about Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and the Respiratory Care Associate Degree, click here.
