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Respiratory Therapy - Associate of Applied Science (Major Code - RTH)

* The Respiratory Therapy program is on a teach-out plan and the college is no longer admitting students.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science degree prepares students to become allied health professionals specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients suffering from cardiopulmonary disease. The program enables students to develop competencies in patient evaluation, mechanical ventilation treatment, and patient monitoring in a variety of clinical settings. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take national registry examinations required for certification as respiratory therapists.

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills for efficient patient management and provide appropriate treatment interventions for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
  • Demonstrate the skills needed to manage stressful situations that require quick thinking and synchronized coordination of varying activities.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
  • Demonstrate manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and tactile ability, all required to perform duties as a respiratory therapist.
  • Demonstrate visual and auditory ability to assess a patient’s condition and administer effective therapy specific to cardiopulmonary disease.
  • Perform duties requiring extended period of standing, stooping, squatting, bending, pushing, and pulling.
  • Demonstrate efficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills with internal and external clients.
  • Set up, initiate, and maintain non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation.

Year 1 General Education and Core Requirements:

SPRING AND FALL SEMESTERS 23-24 CREDITS

BIO 156Introductory Biology for Allied Health*

4
BIO 160Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology**

4
ENG 101Composition**

3
ENG 102English Composition**

3
MAT 142College Mathematics**

3
or higher (3-4 credits)
Liberal arts

3
Liberal arts

3

Liberal Arts: Select two PSY or SOC courses.

Year 2 Freshman:

FALL SEMESTER 14 CREDITS

RTH 112Respiratory Physiology*

3
RTH 162Principles of Mechanical Ventilation*

3
RTH 235Clinical Procedures I*

5
RTH 246Cardiorespiratory Disorders I

3

SPRING SEMESTER 13 CREDITS

RTH 110Introduction to Respiratory Care*

3
RTH 121Basic Therapeutics*

4
RTH 123Basic Assessment and Monitoring*

3
RTH 124Pharmacology for Respiratory Care

3

Year 3 Sophomore:

SPRING SEMESTER 13 CREDITS

RTH 241Critical Care Therapeutics*

4
RTH 245Clinical Procedures II

5
RTH 251Advanced and Specialty Therapeutics*

4

FALL SEMESTER 13 CREDITS

RTH 243Advanced Assessment and Monitoring

4
RTH 255Clinical Procedures III

6
RTH 256Cardiorespiratory Disorders II*

3

TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 76-77 CREDITS