Purpose: The curriculum is designed to prepare students as effective members of the health-care team in assisting with diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventive care of patients with cardio-pulmonary problems. Upon successful completion of the program and specific employment experiences, students may be eligible to take the registry examination leading to registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (R.R.T.).
Students must comply with all General Requirements for Health Technologies as specified in Section I.
Admission Requirements:
1. One unit of high school-level algebra, two units biology, chemistry, or physics with a grade of "C" or higher (successful completion of college science and math courses may be substituted for high school requirements).
2. A visit to a respiratory therapy department prior to entering respiratory therapy courses is recommended. Program faculty will assist in scheduling this experience.
3. Developmental work or testing may be advised for credits earned more than ten years ago.
4. A satisfactory medical exam is required prior to entering clinical courses. Students must demonstrate the physical, mental, and emotional attributes required of a respiratory care practitioner.
Completion Requirements: Students must pass the natural sciences and RTH courses with at least a "C" grade. All incomplete grades ("I") in RTH courses must be resolved prior to taking the next course in sequence. All RTH courses (both lecture and clinical) must be taken within the prescribed semester sequence.
Special Accreditation Status: The program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education.
Credits
First Year 1st Sem. 2nd Sem. 3rd Sem.
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MTH Elective .................................... 2
NAS 161 Health Science I ........................ 4
RTH 102 Integrated Science for Resp. Care ....... 3
RTH 121 Cardiopulmonary Science I ............... 3
RTH 131 Resp. Care Theory & Proced. I ........... 4
RTH 145 Pharmacology for Resp. Care I ........... 2
STD Elective .................................... 1
ENG 111 College Composition I ................... 3
NAS 162 Health Science II ....................... 4
RTH 132 Resp. Care Theory & Proced. II .......... 4
RTH 151 Fund. Clinical Procedures I ............. 3
RTH 222 Cardiopulmonary Science II .............. 3
(1) PED 116 Lifetime Fitness & Wellness ............. 1
RTH 135 Diagnostic/Therapeutic Proc. I .......... 2
RTH 152 Fundamental Clinical Proc. II ........... 3
RTH 195 Topics In: Respiratory Care ............. 1
(2) ___ Social science elective ..................... 3
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Total Credits 19 17 10
Credits
Second Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
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RTH 223 Cardiopulmonary Science III ............. 2
RTH 235 Diagnostic/Therapeutic Proc. II ......... 3
RTH 245 Pharmacology for Resp. Care II .......... 2
RTH 253 Advanced Clinical Proc. III ............. 3
(2) ___ Social science elective ..................... 3
(1) PED/RPK .......................................... 1
RTH 226 Theory of Neonatal & Pediat. Resp. Care . 2
RTH 254 Advanced Clinical Proc. IV .............. 3
RTH 265 Current Issues/Respiratory Care ......... 3
SPD 110 Intro. to Speech Communication or
SPD 126 Interpersonal Communication ........ 3
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Total Credits 13 12
Total minimum credits for the Respiratory Therapy major (A.A.S. degree) = 71.
(1) The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK 205, 207, 208, 216, or 225. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.
(2) Social science courses may be selected from the following: economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology (includes anthropology). PSY 201-202 recommended.