Sentara apprenticeship program addresses nationwide respiratory therapy shortage

To address the nationwide shortage of respiratory therapists, Sentara Health and Tidewater Community College have established the Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship Program.

This innovative “earn while you learn” model is among the first of its kind in the nation. 

The apprenticeship allows students enrolled in the two-year respiratory therapy program at Tidewater Community College to become full-time employees of Sentara and covers nearly $18,000 worth of tuition, books, scrubs, and certification.

“They’re getting two years of schooling paid for and are full-time employees at Sentara, eligible for benefits and paid time off,” said Tara Almony, respiratory therapy manager at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

“Our hope is by the time they graduate, they want to stay here because they’ve already established two years of seniority, they know the team, and they know how everything works.”

The intent of this apprenticeship is to make it easy to go to school for respiratory therapy while enabling well-trained, skilled, certified respiratory therapy professionals to join the Sentara network.

According to a 2023 article in Respiratory Care, the respiratory therapy profession is “currently enduring the worst workforce shortage in memory."

'What in the world? How is this real?’

Tears of joy streamed down Kristian Vasconcellos's face when she learned she would be part of the first apprenticeship cohort, along with two of her classmates, Kyle Mucciarone and Odyssey Swiatkowski.

“This program is a lot harder than I thought it would be. You can't go a day without studying,” said Vasconcellos, who was working three jobs when she applied for the apprenticeship. “It’s such a blessing: Not only a job with Sentara, but they're paying for our schooling. It's like, ‘What in the world? How is this real? It's such a big gift.’”

Respiratory therapy goes far beyond just breathing techniques. Apprentices master airway management, learn to interpret x-rays, understand the pharmacology and effects of various drugs, delve into microbiology, and grasp the intricate physiology of the human body.

 

Kyle Mucciarone focuses on his morning quiz at Tidewater Community College. Vasconcellos and Swiatkowski sit in the back right row doing the same.

The two-year respiratory therapy program at Tidewater Community College is for anyone who has an interest in respiratory therapy, whether they’re right out of high school or looking for a career change. No prior healthcare experience is required to apply.

Each week the apprentices spend 32 hours in the classroom and clinical rotations at area hospitals. The remaining 8 hours are spent at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where they work as respiratory therapy apprentices, take part in code responses, trauma alerts, and learn from experienced Sentara respiratory therapists.

“There’s a reason this is the Sentara hospital they sent us to for this program. We’re a Level 1 trauma center, which means we see a lot,” said Maucciarone, who applied to the apprenticeship after working as a lifeguard for seven years. “One of our team leads said you want to spend at least five years here before you consider going somewhere else because you learn so much.” 

 

Mike Brockhoff, a respiratory therapist at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, goes over some basic guidelines with the apprentices.

When it comes to a knowledge base these apprentices will likely be two or three semesters ahead of their classmates, according to Almony.

“We’re getting a step ahead of our peers, putting together machines before anyone else in our class, seeing the things we talk about in school, and it actually clicks in our brain,” said Swiatkowski, who worked as a pharmacy tech manager for three years prior to the apprenticeship. “We get to bring that knowledge back to our classmates who may not see it as much.”

Addressing a nationwide shortage

Sentara invested in this apprenticeship to address the challenges the respiratory therapy profession is currently facing.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the profession of respiratory therapy will grow by 14% by 2031, with a vacancy rate of 9,400 positions annually. The demand is largely driven by an aging population and an increase in respiratory conditions such as COPD and COVID-19 complications.  

Additionally, there has been a 27% drop in students enrolling in respiratory therapy programs since 2010. In Virginia, only 89 respiratory therapists graduated in 2022. In the Hampton Roads area, only 13 students graduated that year.

“From a business perspective, this apprenticeship makes sense. It’s a long-term investment strategy to meet the future needs of our hospital and community,” said Brian McHale, director of respiratory therapy at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

 

Tara Almony, respiratory therapy manager at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, shows apprentices Swiatkowski and Vasconcellos how to use a video laryngoscope to see a patient’s airway.

The three apprentices have been inseparable since they started the program in August. They are looking forward to graduating in May 2026, along with 18 classmates, and each plans to remain with Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after graduation.

“I would hate to do this alone,” said Maucciarone. “My classmates, the professors, the RTs, Miss Tara, everybody is wonderful. No one is ever going to let you fail.”

Learn more about the Respiratory Therapy program at Tidewater Community College.