BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York ranked 45th in respiratory therapists per 1,000 workers in 2019. The Erie County Legislature took a step towards changing that Thursday with unanimous approval for a resolution that encourages Erie Community College to train nurses with prior critical care experience.
"Teaching them everything about the machine, and the uses and so forth, and then them showing and indicating that they're able to do it," District 5 legislator Jeanne Vinal said. "That's what it's for. So it's something that could be done in hours."
ECC's North campus offers a two-year program specific to respiratory care. Since the breakout of COVID-19 seven weeks ago, ECC says it's seen a spike in applications for that program. They offered the following statement:
"We’re always looking at ways to enhance the workforce. We’re always open to looking at what is needed in the WNY healthcare industry."
