Respiratory Therapy

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy (AAS_RESP)

Occupational Title: Respiratory Therapist
Flanagan Campus, Lincoln only

Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), P.O. Box 54876, Hurst, TX, 76054-4876; www.coarc.com; 817-283-2835. Visit www.coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcome-data.aspx for programmatic outcomes data

Respiratory therapy is an allied health profession in which respiratory therapists work under the direction of a physician to evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. This two-year program incorporates college classes with clinical practice. Students learn fundamental respiratory care concepts and to perform procedures with attention to critical detail while maintaining aseptic technique and appropriate safety precautions.

The program offers students clinical training in a variety of settings, including neonatology, critical care, pulmonary function, clinic and home care.

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Entry Level (CRT) credentialing examination (requirement for state licensing) and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Advanced Level (RRT) credentialing examinations.

The mission of the Respiratory Therapy program is to prepare students as registered respiratory therapists

Technical standards: The physical activity (strength) for respiratory therapy (076.361-014) is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

GENERAL POLICIES

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum requirements to apply to the Respiratory Therapy program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; RESP should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – An official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation, must be provided. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI’s Department of Advising and Counseling. Students may NOT retake the ACCUPLACER test before completing the remedial course/ courses. Note: For application purposes, ACCUPLACER testing can be waived for students who provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are advised that individual departments may still require ACCUPLACER testing as a prerequisite for their courses.
   Reading comprehension test must show competency of 80 or above or students must complete ENGL 0890 - Critical Reading with a grade of B- or better.
4. Complete courses required for admission with a grade of C+ or better:
   1. ENGL 1010 - Composition I. ENGL 1300 does not substitute.
   2. MATH 1175 - Statistics for the Health & Social Sciences (MATH 1200 and MATH 1025 also meet this requirement)
   3. RESP 1000 - Introduction to Respiratory Therapy
   4. BIOL 1010 - Human Anatomy
   5. CHEM 1010 - Survey of Biomedical Chemistry (CHEM 1180 - Health Science Chemistry I or CHEM 1030 - General Chemistry also meet this requirement.)
5. GPA – A grade point average of 2.5 or better for all college courses taken.
6. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit a performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period.
   1. IMPORTANT: Submission of a performance-based Health Sciences application does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Acceptance is based on points earned as listed in the program acceptance criteria point system. (See www.ccri.edu/dean-hrs.) At the time of admission, students must meet the current admission requirements. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted, students must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Allied Health Department.
7. Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from Enrollment Services.

Program Requirements

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Obtain at least a grade of C+ in MATH, BIOL, and RESP-coded courses

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE

Total General Education Requirements Credits 15

Students must be accepted into the program before taking the following courses

Total Major Requirements Credits 37

Total Program Credits 70