Respiratory Care (2244)
Mission Statement: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care 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 Florida Community College
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 in
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.
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. For additional
information on the profession, contact the American
Association for Respiratory Care, 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas,
Texas 75229, www.aarc.org.
Growth is expected to be 30% annually; CRTs earn an annual salary of $30,000-35,000 on average.
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified Respiratory
Therapist (CRT) examination. After successful completion of the
CRT exam, they may go on to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist
(RRT) advanced level examinations.
This limited access program is fully accredited by the Committee
on Accreditation of Respiratory Care.
Estimated cost of tuition is $4,800 (tuition rated for Florida
residents, as of 7/05). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).
Prerequisites: The following seven course 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
A brochure outlining costs, requirements, deadlines
and procedures is available from the respiratory care/allied health
department at North Campus.
Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration
for acceptance to the Respiratory Care program are:
- Students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
- Incomplete or late applications will not
be considered (contact the RC office for application deadline).
- Applicants must document all eligibility
requirements:
- Florida Community College student number
and classification as degree-seeking
- current Health Care Provider Basic Life
Support (HCP-BLS) card
- current Health Occupations Test (HOT)
scores
- completion of prerequisite courses with
a grade of C or better.
- Students will be ranked according to the
quality points (contact the RC office for additional information).
- 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.
| General Education Courses |
| 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 |
| |
Credit Hours |
16 |
| Professional Courses |
| 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 2834 |
Clinical III |
11 |
| RET 2520 |
Community Health |
2 |
| RET 2835 |
Clinical IV |
9 |
| |
Credit Hours |
60 |
Total Credit Hours: 76
*Refer to A.S. degree General
Education Requirements.
You have two options in this program: the associate in science
(A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer
to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.)
degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate
employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you
must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics. The
A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher. Please see an advisor
to determine the option that is best for you.
Record of Conviction of a Crime
The Florida Board of Respiratory Care will determine a respiratory care graduate’s eligibility for licensure when there is an arrest/conviction record. Students should contact the Florida Board for information regarding potential licensure problems if a student has an arrest/conviction record that may be an issue. The Respiratory Care program will not offer opinions or assurances of licensure to graduates with problematic backgrounds.
Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.
The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.
