Degree and Certificate Programs

Health Care

Respiratory Care (2244)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

Mission Statement: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level healthcare practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career: The respiratory care profession is one of the fastest growing allied health specialties. It is involved with the treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with diseases of the heart and lungs. Graduates of the FCCJ respiratory care program are eligible to take the nationally recognized Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) examination immediately after graduation. After successful completion of the CRT examination, they are eligible to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) advanced level examinations. This credential offers the therapist excellent employment opportunities as well as a competitive salary. An advanced placement option is available for this program for Certified Respiratory Therapists. By taking and successfully completing placement exams, students can earn credit for up to seven RET courses (RET 1024, RET 1276, RET 1485, RET 1824, RET 2484, RET 1008 and RET 2272L). Please contact the program manager to arrange these exams. For additional information on the profession, contact: American Association for Respiratory Care, 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229.

The Program: This limited access program, fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care, enables graduates to sit for both professional examinations. The professional phase of the education makes employment difficult, due to clinical demands. Students will be expected to lift up to 30 pounds frequently, be mobile and have sufficient motor abilities to provide safe care.
The following seven courses should be completed, or nearing completion, prior to submitting an application to the program:

ENC 1101 English Composition I
MAC 1105 College Algebra
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II
*Social and Behavioral Sciences
*Humanities
*One year of high school chemistry or any college CHM course

A brochure outlining costs, requirements, deadlines, and procedures is available from the respiratory care/allied health department on North Campus.

Application Procedure: Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration for acceptance to the respiratory care program are:

1. Students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
2. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. (Contact the RC office for application deadline).
3. Applicants must document all eligibility requirements:
   1. FCCJ student number and classification as degree-seeking
   2. current Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (HCP-BLS) card
   3. current Health Occupations Test (HOT) scores
   4. completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better
4. Students will be ranked according to the quality points. (Contact the RC office for additional information).
5. The top 25 ranked students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the program. Orientation and registration information will also be provided. Those who fail to contact our office upon notification of acceptance will forfeit their placement in the program. In case of forfeiture, the next highest ranked student will be notified of acceptance.

Note: A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.
Students have two degree alternatives in this program: The associate in science (A.S.) and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.). If you intend to pursue further education at the university level, you should enroll in the A.S. option. If you intend to go directly to work after completing your associate's degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the articulation benefits of the A.S., the A.A.S. will provide you with the skills required to begin working in the field immediately upon graduation. If you are unsure of which option is best for you, please see an advisor for further counseling.

Required Courses

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.

Course Number and Title	Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I	3
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
*Social and Behavioral Sciences	3
**MAC 1105 College Algebra	3
*Humanities	3
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
RET 1024 Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy	4
RET 1824 Clinical I	2
RET 1276 Physical Assessment Skills	2
RET 1485 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology	4
RET 2484 Pulmonary Pathology	4
RET 2272L Clinical II	4
RET 1008 Pharmacology for the Respiratory Therapist	2
RET 2264 Ventilatory Techniques	3
RET 1450 Diagnostic Monitoring	3
RET 2265 Advanced Monitoring and Therapeutic Techniques	2
RET 2350 Advanced Pharmacology	2
RET 2714 Neo Natal/Pediatric Respiratory Care	2
RET 2832 Clinical III	11
RET 2520 Community Health	2
RET 2833 Clinical IV	9
Total Credit Hours	76

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.

Note: Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program chairperson for additional information.
**Students earning an A.S. degree must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics course. Students earning an A.A.S. degree must take MAT 1033 or a higher level mathematics course.