Respiratory Care

 

 

    Respiratory Care is a rapidly expanding medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of people with cardiopulmonary disorders.  South Plains College offers a two-year program that culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree in respiratory care.  This degree confers eligibility to apply for the Entry-Level and Advanced-Level Therapist examinations given by the National Board for Respiratory Care.  A successful score on the Entry-Level examination qualifies the applicant as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and allows application for a Texas Respiratory Care Practitioner license.  Successful completion of the Advanced-Level examination leads to the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential (RRT).  The program also awards a Tech Prep Enhanced Skills Certificate upon completion of additional technical courses.  The program is probationally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Program director is Steve Haney, instructor in respiratory care.

Program Admission Requirements

    Persons interested in the Respiratory Care program must complete the following entrance requirements:

  1. Complete the requirements for admission to South Plains College.  Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Respiratory Care program.
  2. Complete a career planning session with the Respiratory Care program director and receive a program application.  The applicant should contact the program director at (806) 885-3048, ext. 4625, or by email at shaney@southplainscollege.edu.
  3. Submit a program application to the program director.  Early application is recommended.
  4. Complete the prerequisite classes.  It is recommended that applicants complete as many of the remaining general education classes as possible.  Classes must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  5. Admission to the program is limited, based on clinical training space.  Eligible applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:
    bulletSuccessful completion of the prerequisite courses.  Completion of all general education classes is strongly recommended.
    bulletDate of application.
    bulletWhen unusual circumstances present themselves, special consideration for admission may be evaluated on an individual basis.  The program director, Allied Health Chairperson and Dean of Health Occupations will make these final determinations regarding admission to the program.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Prerequisite Courses

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
MATH 0311**** Fundamentals of Arithmetic for Allied Health 3
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIOL 2420 Microbiology 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3

Respiratory Care Courses

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
PSYC 2301 General Psychology 3
RSPT 1160 Clinical - Respiratory Care 1
RSPT 1207 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology 2
RSPT 1325 Respiratory Care Sciences 3
RSPT 1429 Respiratory Care Fundamentals I 4
RSPT 1240 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology 2
RSPT 2317 Respiratory Care Pharmacology 3
RSPT 1331 Respiratory Care Fundamentals II 3
RSPT 1261 Clinical - Respiratory Care 2
RSPT 2210 Cardiopulmonary Disease 2
RSPT 1141 Respiratory Home Care/Rehabilitation 1
RSPT 1166 Practicum - Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 1
RSPT 2314 Mechanical Ventilation 3
COSC 1401 Introduction to Computer Science 4
RSPT 2135 Pediatric Advanced Life Support 1
RSPT 2147 Specialies in respiratory Care 1
RSPT 2366 Practicum-Respiratory Therapy Technician 3
RSPT 2353 Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care 3
RSPT 2130 Examination Preparation 1
RSPT 2239 Advanced Cardiac Life Support 2
RSPT 2367 Practicum-Respiratory Therapy Technician 3
RSPT 2325 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics 3
  Humanities / Fine Arts Elective***** 3

* Although not a requirement for this degree, students are strongly encouraged to take ORNT 0120 during the first semester of enrollment.

** Tech Prep related courses that may be articulated with high school.

*** Consult your program advisor for a list of approved electives.

**** MATH 1314 - College Algebra strongly recommended for those seeking a              Bachelors Degree

***** Consult Program Advisor.

Tech Prep Enhanced Skills Certificate

    An Enhanced Skills Certificate is a credential that is awarded concurrently with an approved Associate of Applied Science degree or as an additional certificate upon completion of specified technical courses.  The following courses are required for this certificate.

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BMGT 1303 Principles of Management 3
HRPO 2301 Human Resources Management 3

Related Links

www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/plc/resp.htm - Texas Dept. of Health, Respiratory Care Practitioner

www.aarc.org - American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

www.tsrc.org - Texas Society for Respiratory Care (TSRC)

www.nbrc.org - National board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

www.coarc.com - Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)