BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A partnership between Vermont colleges is training the next generation of health care professionals.
With the new academic year just around the corner, more than a dozen new students at Vermont State University have enrolled in a respiratory therapy program aimed at filling a critical need in the state’s health care field.
During a guided tour of Vermont State University’s Williston campus, 14 new students saw where they’ll begin their path to a full-time career in health care.
“I’m really looking forward to just increasing my knowledge, learning from the amazing professors here at CCV and Vermont State and just performing at the bedside... caring for patients,” said Miranda Wigren, a respiratory therapy student from Montpelier who has worked in critical care at the Central Vermont Medical Center since 2012.
Through a partnership with the UVM Health Network, Vermont State University and the Community College of Vermont designed a $1.4 million training pipeline to prepare students for the front lines.
The revitalized Respiratory Therapy Program aims to address workforce challenges at hospitals in our region by giving students hands-on learning experiences. During the two-year program, students will work in the classroom and in the field to prepare for a full-time career in respiratory therapy.
“It’s no secret that health care continues to emerge from a workforce crisis-- efforts like this partnership, it makes a real difference by eliminating barriers to entry for individuals seeking meaningful careers in health care,” said Jerald Novak of the UVM Health Network.
“We look at a demographic that is going to get older and-- we know as we’ve experienced over the last several years-- sicker and more challenged. What we need is people to step into that space and be ready to provide that vital care that is going to be so important,” said Todd Daloz of the Vt. Agency of Human Services.
Respiratory therapists are highly trained medical specialists whose focus is caring for patients, young and old, with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
The program had been in danger of being shuttered due to financial challenges and declining student interest.
During the pandemic, hospitals throughout Vermont have relied heavily on travel nurses to provide care, a model that those seeing it firsthand say is not sustainable.
“We bring these traveling RTs in, they help out for short periods of time-- they are expensive. We need new blood into the workforce and RTs that we can train using these programs,” said Ryan Kessler of the UVM Health Network.
During this program, students like Wigren will be able to take classes and work, too.
“It’s really important for me that my hospital is committed to my education. Flexible classes-- both online and in person, but just the ability to have some flexibility in my school schedule, as well as my work schedule,” Wigren said.
As part of the partnership, the CCV is providing support and resources for other students who still need to complete courses before they can enroll in the program.
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