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Respiratory Care
Program Description: The Respiratory Care program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of respiratory care. Learning opportunities develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pharmacology, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure ventilation, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care. Program graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. Completion of the program qualifies the graduate to sit for the credentialing examinations to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Graduates must successfully complete the Entry Level Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, to obtain Certification as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Upon obtaining the CRT credential, the graduate is eligible, and must successfully complete the written, and clinical simulation, sections of the advanced registry examination(s) to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist Credential (RRT). The NBRC requires continued competency through re-credentialing and continuing education on a five-year cycle, and licensure requirements vary by state.
Student Learning Outcomes:
• Students will design a model of a pulmonary rehab program for COPD patients.
• Students will maintain airway patency in patients using emergency airway protocols.
• Students will complete Arterial Blood Gas Analysis.
• Students will deliver Oxygen Therapy using accepted protocols.
Length of Program: Two (2) semesters of prerequisite courses found in the Healthcare Science, TCC, Five (5) semesters of occupational courses.
Cost of Program: Click Here.
Entrance Date: Prerequisite Courses open; however, all prerequisite/Competitive Admissions courses (BIOL 2113 – Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 2113L – Anatomy and Physiology Lab I , BIOL 2114 – Anatomy and Physiology II, BIOL 2114L – Anatomy and Physiology Lab II , and MATH 1111 – College Algebra) must be successfully completed prior to competitive program admission deadline.
Program Admission: Fall Semester
Entrance Requirements: Entry into this program is based on competitive admissions criteria. Contact the program advisor or admissions for details. Completion of prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission into the program. For further details, Please see the Competitive Admissions Criteria. Click for Entrance Scores.
Age: Applicant must be 16 years of age or older.
Education: An applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). College transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Advisor: A program advisor should be consulted prior to enrolling in any course. An advisor will be assigned by admissions.
Additional Requirements: American Heart Healthcare Provider CPR Certification, Physical Exam, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Toxicology.
Note: Individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense may be denied state licensure. Applications for state licensure are reviewed by the designated governing body for each state. Licensure requirements may vary by state. Graduates of the program will submit application to the Georgia Composite Board during the final quarter of the program.
Note: CRT to registry requires all sections 1 & 2 in curriculum and RESP#’s 1193, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2160, 2170, 2220. Graduates of a diploma-level respiratory care program prior to 1997, who hold the Advanced RRT Credential, must complete Sections 1, 2, and 3, to obtain the A.A.S. Degree.
Program Final Exit Point: Respiratory Care, Associate of Applied Science. Eligible to apply for National Board for Respiratory Care certification and registry exams. Note: Hospitals may require RRT credential for employment.
Credits Required for Graduation: 92 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.
