Next Cohort - Important Dates
- UVMHN Pathway Program Application Deadline: April 1st of each calendar year
- Cohort Selected: by May 1st of each calendar year
- VTSU Classes Begin: August of each calendar year
Respiratory Therapist (RT) Pathway Program at University of Vermont Health Network
Please check back soon
for program updates!
Ready to further your education?
Through our partnership with Vermont State University, our RT Pathway Program allows full-time employees of partners within the UVM Health Network to continue earning full-time wages and benefits while studying to complete their Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree and earn their Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
What does a Respiratory Therapist do?
Respiratory Therapists deliver care that helps people manage a wide range of breathing problems caused by disease, accident, or illness. These professionals provide care whenever and wherever breathing is an issue. They work in hospitals or other acute care settings, or are employed in clinics, physicians’ offices, or skilled nursing facilities.
How to Apply: VTSU
- Apply to VTSU at Vermont State University (link opens in a new window)
- Apply to the Respiratory Therapy program (if you meet all pre-requisite requirements)
- Apply for financial aid
How to Apply: RT Pathway Program
Pathway Program Application Deadline – April 1st of each calendar year
RT Pathway Program applications will only be accepted during the defined application period.
Please have ready the following items to upload with your application:
- Résumé
- Cover letter
-
Leader Confirmation of Support - Leaders must complete the electronic UVMHN Pathway Program Leader Approval Form (link opens in a new window) prior to the application deadline. Please coordinate with your leader to ensure this is completed.
*Please note that the Leader Approval Form must be accessed from a UVM Health account.
- Vermont State University RT Program Acceptance Letter
Eligibility Requirements:
All candidates must:
- Currently work at least 72 scheduled hours per pay period at a partner site within the UVM Health Network (part-time/per diem employees are not eligible).
- Be in good standing at a UVM Health partner with no corrective actions above a verbal warning.
- Have earned or obtain a high school diploma or GED by July 1st (prior to VTSU academic program year).
Program Details
Offered in partnership with Vermont State University (VTSU), the Respiratory Therapy Pathway Program offers full-time employees of a University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN) Partner the opportunity to further their health care careers while continuing to earn a full-time salary.
Students admitted into VTSU’s Respiratory Therapy program will begin their academic journey in a comprehensive curriculum that includes classroom learning, labs, and hands-on clinical rotations within the UVM Health Network. Additionally, participants will work reduced hours in their current positions at UVM Health Network partner sites.
Upon completing Vermont State University’s 67-credit Associate of Science program, graduates will be prepared to earn the RRT credential, obtain state licensure and work as a respiratory therapist at one of our health care partner sites across Vermont and northern New York.
Participation requires full-time commitment across four semesters at Vermont State University, as well as an internship during the summer semester. Classes take place at Vermont State University’s Williston campus. Virtual learning options may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the next Cohort begin?
Program participants will apply to VTSU’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) program for Fall semester admission. The two-year program admits students annually, and participants are eligible to apply for the year in which they are eligible.
How many work hours are required during the program?
Year 1 – While enrolled in the RT program at VTSU, students will work their regular job for 24 hours per week. Students will receive pay for an additional 12 hours per week to allow time for classwork, lab/clinical instruction, and studying.
Year 2 – Class and clinical hour requirements will increase in year two. Students in this academic year will adjust their work hours to 32 working hours per pay period, receiving 40 paid study hours per pay period.
What if I’m not an employee within the UVM Health Network? Can I still apply?
Being a full-time employee at a partner within the UVM Health Network is a requirement for application and enrollment. To be eligible for the program you’ll need to be hired as a full-time employee in any department at any partner.
Interested in joining our team?
Call 800-722-9922 and choose Option 3 to talk with one of our talent acquisition partners about full-time job opportunities within the UVM Health Network.
What if I’m per diem or part-time? Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you need to be a working a full-time employee at a UVMHN partner.
What pre-requisite courses are required for this program?
Students applying to Vermont State University’s Respiratory Therapy program must have successfully completed Anatomy & Physiology I and II to apply. Please visit VTSU’s website for a complete listing of application eligibility requirements and criteria. If you do need to take any pre-requisite courses, check out Pathfinder, which is a program offered by UVMHN in partnership with Community College of Vermont and will support employees who are seeking to enter a UVMHN Pathway Program to begin taking prepaid preparatory, prerequisite and corequisite courses.
I’ve taken pre-requisites in the past. Do I need to retake those courses?
Possibly, depending on the timeframe and your grades. VTSU will review the courses and grades on your transcript to determine whether they meet the requirements for this program. If you do need to retake courses, check out Pathfinder, which is a program offered by UVMHN in partnership with Community College of Vermont and will support employees who are seeking to enter a UVMHN Pathway Program to begin taking prepaid preparatory, prerequisite and corequisite courses.
I’ve started RT school in the past, but did not finish. Do I need to start over?
The RT Pathway Program is designed to align with VTSU’s five-semester RT curriculum. For the purposes of this program, all coursework and lab/clinical instruction must be completed in its entirety. Please contact VTSU Admissions for specific questions related to your academic history.
Once I am enrolled in the Pathway Program, are there any tax implications that I should be aware of?
The amounts paid under this Program have tax implications. Amounts that are paid to you, or your educational institution, for tuition, fees, books, supplies, or other expenses constitute payments under an educational assistance program described in Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code and are therefore excludable up to $5,250 per calendar year. Amounts paid in excess of $5,250 per year are taxable income and are subject to applicable withholding taxes.
The payments will be issued by payroll and the taxes withheld from your regular paycheck for the amounts above $5,250 per calendar year.
Please consult your personal tax advisor, as University of Vermont Health cannot provide you with individualized tax advice.
Can I apply for the Pathway Program if I am already actively enrolled and attending the academic program on my own?
Our Pathway Programs are designed to support employees through the entirety of the academic program. Off-cycle enrollments will not be accepted.
RT Pathway Program Application
(all required)
Please complete the below form and a member of our team will be in touch.
Questions?
Please contact:
Rebecca Aldrich, Workforce Development Program Manager – Rebecca.aldrich@uvmhealth.org (link opens in a new window)
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