Respiratory Therapy - (A45720)
Associate in Applied Science
To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of Respiratory Care Practice as performed by registered respiratory therapist (RRTs)
The curriculum prepares graduates to operate within inter-professional teams and effectively communicate with clients/patients of various ages, ethnicities, and cultures. Application of problem-solving strategies, applying ethical decision making, and understanding professional responsibilities are emphasized.
Graduates are eligible to complete the credentialing process through the National Board for Respiratory Care, which will qualify them for a license to practice in a variety of healthcare settings with responsibilities for assessment, treatment, management and education of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
General Admission Requirements
- Detailed current information for interested applicants is located on the RCC website. Applicants must submit all required documentation by established deadlines detailed on the Respiratory Therapy acceptance time line.
- Students must be able to fulfill all Program Technical Standards as outlined below.
- Student are encouraged to attend a Respiratory Therapy Information Session.
- Complete minimum admission requirements by the specified date on the RCC website.
- Admission to all RCC Health Science programs is a competitive process. Applicants are evaluated based upon academic performance.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher in respiratory therapy general education courses by the published deadline date for submitting Candidate Review Forms to the Admissions Office. Applicants not meeting the cumulative GPA requirements will not be reviewed by the program area for admission.
- Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher before enrolling in the first RCP course:
BIO 163 or BIO 168/BIO 169, CHM 131/CHM 131A or MAT 143 or higher.
- Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher for the Respiratory Therapy program:
ENG 111, ENG 112, PSY 150, and Humanities/Fine Arts elective.
- All transcripts must be on file in the Admissions Office in order for a student to be considered for admission.
- Upon program acceptance, students must submit to a background check, drug screening and medical review/screen to include physical examination and immunizations. All fees associated with background check, drug screen and medical review are the responsibility of the student.
- It is the student’s responsibility to review all program materials to stay current with the program requirements, policies and procedures.
Respiratory Therapy Program Technical Standards
Individuals enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program are expected to be able to perform certain activities to maintain standards of safety. The Respiratory Therapy student must possess the following skills:
Critical Thinking skills: The respiratory therapy student must possess critical thinking skills sufficient for clinical judgment. This involves identifying cause and effect relationships in clinical situations.
Interpersonal skills: The respiratory therapy student should possess interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, economic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. For example, the student should be able to establish a helping relationship with patients, families, and colleagues.
Communication: The respiratory therapy student should possess communication skills sufficient for interaction with others in a verbal and written format. Examples: perform patient teaching, write progress notes, interpret physician’s orders, provide verbal report to staff, record patient responses to treatments, consult with patient’s family members, or physicians.
Mobility: The respiratory therapy student should possess physical skills sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. For example, the student must be able to move around in patient rooms, work spaces and treatment areas and to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Motor Skills: The respiratory therapy student should possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care. Examples: adjust ventilator settings, perform arterial puncture, calibrate equipment, transfer or position patients, and administer cardio pulmonary resuscitation.
Hearing: The respiratory therapy student should possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. For example, the student must be able to hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds and cries for help, ability sufficient to monitor and assess patient care and safety needs.
Visual: The respiratory therapy student should possess visual skills sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in providing patient care. For example, the student must be able to observe patient responses, see a change in skin color and read a manometer on a mechanical ventilator.
Tactile: The respiratory therapy student should possess tactile skills sufficient for physical assessment. For example, the student must be able to palpate a pulse, body sites, and determine skin temperature.
Weight-Bearing: The respiratory therapy student should possess the ability to maneuver and move 40-50 lbs. on a weekly or daily basis. For example, the student must be able to position and transfer patients.
Plan of Study
Respiratory Therapy Program
Program Prerequisites: Students admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher prior to enrolling in the first Respiratory Therapy [RCP] class:
First Fall Semester
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
| RCP 110 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RCP 113 | RCP Pharmacology | 2 |
| RCP 114 | C-P Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
First Spring Semester
| RCP 111 | Therapeutics/Diagnostics | 5 |
| RCP 115 | C-P Pathophysiology | 2 |
| RCP 146 | RCP Clinical Practice II | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Summer Semester
| RCP 123 | Special Practice Lab | 1 |
| RCP 152 | RCP Clinical Practice III | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Second Fall Semester
| ENG 112 | Writing and Research in the Disciplines | 3 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3 |
| RCP 210 | Critical Care Concepts | 4 |
| RCP 213 | Neonatal/Ped's Concepts | 2 |
| RCP 236 | RCP Clinical Practice IV | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Second Spring Semester
| RCP 211 | Advanced Monitoring/Procedures | 4 |
| RCP 215 | Career Preparation | 1 |
| RCP 223 | Special Practice Lab | 1 |
| RCP 246 | RCP Clinical Practice V | 6 |
| *Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - Please see the table below. | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
*Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - Choose one of the following:
UGETC:
Gen Ed:
Total Credit Hours: 69-70
Respiratory Therapy Program Costs
Respiratory Therapy students should be prepared to incur additional expenses beyond tuition and college fees.
Outlined below are estimated expenses and are subject to change:
First Year
| CPR Certification |
$11 |
| Medical Exam |
$100 |
| Immunizations (Includes but not limited to Hep, B, TB, Flu, childhood immunizations) |
$300 |
| Student Accident Insurance |
$6 |
| Malpractice Insurance |
$48 |
| Uniforms |
$205 |
| Respiratory Therapy Books |
$600 |
| Drug Screen and Background Check |
$101 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies |
$100 |
Second Year
| Required Annual Immunizations |
$100 |
| Student Accident Insurance |
$4 |
| Malpractice Insurance |
$32 |
| School Pin (optional) |
$50-$100 |
| Respiratory Therapy Books |
$300 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies |
$100 |
| Kettering Seminar |
$425 |
| Drug Screen |
$80 |
| ACLS |
$80 |