Background

Barlow Respiratory Hospital serves patients with respiratory and other diseases that may require prolonged acute hospitalization or specialized treatment. The hospital’s patients are mostly elderly with complex medical needs. Allied health professional shortages have made it difficult for the hospital to recruit an adequate supply of diverse, qualified Respiratory Therapists. Since Barlow Respiratory Hospital staff must have expertise in long-term critical care, recruitment is even more difficult.

In order to recruit diverse, qualified Respiratory Therapists, Barlow Respiratory Hospital has created the Registered Respiratory Therapist Scholar Program to provide education and training for respiratory therapy students in their final year of training. Barlow Respiratory Hospital has partnered with two schools, East Los Angeles College and Santa Monica College, as well as COPE Health Solutions, a non-profit organization that helps healthcare organizations in Southern California address health workforce needs.

Methods

The Registered Respiratory Therapist Scholar Program provides the following services to students:

• Scholarships: Students are awarded scholarships of $5,000 during their final year of respiratory therapy training.
• Clinical rotations: Students are allowed to shadow Respiratory Care Practitioners for four weeks. Students are introduced to the work environment of a practicing Respiratory Therapist.
• Mentorship: Students are assigned mentors and resources to ensure successful passage of the Certified Respiratory Therapist examination and the Registered Respiratory Therapy licensure examination.

Key Partners

• Barlow Respiratory Hospital, a long-term, acute care hospital serving patients with respiratory and other diseases requiring prolonged acute hospitalization or specialized treatment.
  2000 Stadium Way
  Los Angeles, CA 90026
  • Oswaldo Ruiz, Director of Respiratory Care Services, 213-250-4200 x3346, oruiz@barlow2000.org
• COPE Health Solutions, a non-profit organization that helps healthcare organizations in Southern California address health workforce needs.
  2400 South Flower Street
  Lowman Building, 3rd Floor
  Los Angeles, CA 90007
  • Elyse Tang, Manager of Health Workforce Solutions, 213-250-4200 x3144, etang@copehealthsolutions.org
• East Los Angeles College, Respiratory Therapy Program
  1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
  Monterey Park, CA 91754
  • Michael R. Carr, Chair of Respiratory Therapy Program, 323-265-8813, rtprogram@elac.edu
• Santa Monica College, Respiratory Therapy Program
  1900 Pico Boulevard
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  • Respiratory Therapy Program faculty office, 310-434-3463

Outcomes

Major successes of the program include:

• Completion of training and successful passage of examinations. All of the participants in the Registered Respiratory Therapist Scholar Program completed their training and earned an Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy. In addition, all participants passed the Certified Respiratory Therapist examination, with many passing the more advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist examinations.
• Increased competency in the workforce. Barlow Respiratory Hospital hired two participants from the Registered Respiratory Therapist Scholar Program upon completion of training and examination. After 90 days, each were given a Competency Based Orientation Evaluation, with one scoring 100% and the other scoring 98%. The training and support of the Registered Respiratory Therapist Scholar Program allowed these individuals to enter the allied health workforce with important skills and competencies.