Working as a Respiratory Therapist

To explore a career in respiratory therapy, students can spend the day or just several hours with a therapist. Students may observe at any hospital after contacting the Respiratory Care department to arrange a convenient date and time. Allow up to five working days for the contact person to respond to a request.

Appropriate dress is required during a clinical observation. In general, jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sandals and athletic shoes are considered inappropriate. Questions about proper attire can be addressed with the facility’s contact person prior to the scheduled observation. Some hospitals have specific requirements, such as proof of a recent TB test, flu shot or vaccination records. Students should discuss any hospital-specific requirements prior to the visit. Strict confidentiality regarding patient care is expected and required by law during and after a clinical observation.

A clinical observation can potentially be arranged with the following IU School of Medicine clinical partners by December 1. To cancel or reschedule a clinical observation, students must provide the clinical affiliate 24 hours notice. Failure to do so may adversely affect application to the Respiratory Therapy program.