Respiratory therapists in short supply nationwide and in Vermont
The University of Vermont Health Network will support the state’s only program to train respiratory therapists at Vermont State University for a third year, which is a critical health care job in high demand nationwide.
The agreement extending a previous two-year partnership was approved earlier this year, and provides a cost-sharing partnership between the health system and the university through June 30, 2026, allowing up to 25 students to enroll in the school’s two-year respiratory therapy (RT) program this fall and next spring.
Under the third-year extension of the partnership, the health system will provide up to $153,000 for the 2025-26 school year, based on the number of students enrolled. The program currently has nine students who are UVM Health Network employees, and are either entering the program this year, or beginning their second and final year of training.
UVM Health Network invested $250,000 in the program during the 2023-24 school year, and $135,000 during the 2024-25 school year. The health system also provides additional financial support for its employees enrolled in the program, including tuition reimbursement and paid study hours.
Program reduces reliance on temporary staff and costly traveling therapists
The support from UVMHN bolstered a program that suffered from a lack of public awareness and understanding of how important the respiratory therapists being trained at the university’s Williston Campus are. The agreement between the health system and the university also provides students in the program with opportunities to train at multiple hospitals in Vermont and New York State.
“By investing in our workforce, we create career opportunities for our community and ensure we can continue providing quality care across our region,” Jerry Baake, network director of workforce development, said in a news release. “This reduces costly reliance on temporary staff and helps hospitals throughout our region − including those outside our system − access highly trained professionals.”
Respiratory therapy program provides a lifeline for Vermont hospitals
Brad Holcomb, manager of respiratory care services at University of Vermont Medical Center, said Vermont State University’s Respiratory Therapy program is a “lifeline” for Vermont hospitals.
“Ninety percent, if not more, of our respiratory therapists have a direct link to that school, so their importance is huge.” Holcomb said.
UVM Medical Center needs about 85 respiratory therapists on staff at any given time, across multiple departments. Filling vacancies amid the ongoing shortage of therapists can be expensive because of the high cost of employing traveling staff, which is often necessary because of the high demand nationwide for respiratory therapists.
Holcomb said UVM Medical Center currently employs 17 RT travelers and has 23 vacant RT positions − challenges that have not changed significantly in the last several years.
Contact Dan D’Ambrosio at 660-1841 or [email protected]. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.
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