How Much Training Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado?

Respiratory therapist jobs in Colorado are quite lucrative and tend to come with excellent pay and good benefits packages. Perhaps that's why so many are turning to this career path. However, earning the right credentials isn't something that can be done overnight. Higher education and examination of knowledge is required to become a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) in the state of Colorado and this can take a little while. This is why those interested in this specific career should take the time to educate themselves about the training and education programs available and what they must do to earn these required credentials.

Duration of Programs

As with many other states throughout the nation, Colorado requires that at least an associate's degree be obtained in order to become certified and licensed within the state. Those that are not certified or licensed cannot gain employment as a respiratory therapist. While the associate degree program is generally a two year program, this can differ significantly by the specific learning institution. Many institutions require that prerequisites such as math, sciences and even language arts be completed prior to acceptance into the program. For this reason, those attending a traditional college or university may find that meeting this requirement may actually take more than the standard two years. However, online instruction programs or hybrid programs can allow the student to earn their degree in less than two years.

Hands-On Instruction

An important part of training which may or may not be combined with learning is the clinical or lab portion of instruction. This is where the student trains for their new career hands-on. Schools may choose to utilize simulator equipment to fulfill this requirement but typically the clinical rotation is the most desirable method. Students go out into various health care settings which may include hospitals or nursing facilities for example to put their skills to use under the supervision of an instructor and/or a licensed respiratory therapist. Depending on the program chosen, this can take place during the program or after completion, yet before graduation. The school stipulates how many hours the person must have completed.

Other Important Considerations

The amount of training it takes to become a respiratory therapist in Colorado is not unreasonable. However, the duration of the program isn't the only factor affecting the length of time it takes to become a CRT. After completion of an approved learning curriculum, the graduate cannot just simply enter into the workforce. They must first apply to take the certification exam. Although this isn't an extremely long process, it can still take a bit. This is because the person must forward either official transcripts or a copy of their degree and other information prior to being allowed to test. After all of the applicant's information has been verified, then they will be informed of test dates and locations that are available. In some cases, this can take anywhere from six to eight weeks.