Respiratory Therapy (AAS)

(Awarded by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College)

Program Info

Minimum credits: 70
Length: 6 semesters (2 years), including summers, once accepted into the program.

Division: Arts, Sciences, & Business
Contact: 434.797.8462 or 434.797.8402
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Plan Code: 181 CIP Code: 51.0908

Degree is awarded by J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Approximately 21 credits in specified DCC courses must be completed prior to acceptance into the program. After a student is accepted, core courses in RTH are offered in Danville via distance learning, while clinical experiences are coordinated through area hospitals.

Functional Skills Requirements:

• Students must possess the following functional skills: Sufficient eyesight, including color vision, to observe patients, perform & visualize patient assessments, manipulate equipment, & visually read patient records, graphs, and test results. Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients & members of the health care delivery team, monitor patients using electronic equipment, & hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment.
• Satisfactory speaking, reading, & writing skills to effectively communicate in English in a timely manner. Sufficient gross & fine motor coordination to exhibit excellent eye-hand coordination and dexterity to manipulate equipment, lift, stoop, & bend in the delivery of safe patient care. Satisfactory physical strength & endurance to be on one’s feet for extended periods & move heavy equipment, patients, and supplies. Sitting, walking, bending, & reaching motions are job requirements.
• Satisfactory intellectual, emotional, & psychological health & functioning to ensure patient safety & to exercise independent judgment & discretion in performing assigned tasks. Time management of multiple priorities, multiple stimuli, & fast-paced environments. Analysis and critical-thinking skills.

Admission Requirements: In addition to general college admission requirements, entry into the RT program requires students to:

• Fulfill the following prerequisite courses included in the Health Science I Career Studies Certificate (CSC) by the end of the spring semester in the year the student is applying for acceptance into the associate degree. ENG 111, PSY 230, SDV 101, PHI 220, BIO 141, and BIO 142
• BIO 141 prerequisite requirement: high school biology and chemistry completed within seven (7) years or BiO 101
• Successful completion of the HESI Admission Test will be required for students applying to the program. After applying to the program, students will receive an email with instructions on completing the HESI Admissions Test.
• Meet with the program director, director of clinical education or coordinator of distance education before the application deadline to discuss the program and receive the Respiratory Therapy program application for acceptance.
• Submit a portfolio by February 1 to include a completed Respiratory Therapy program application and transcripts.

 

Acceptance Process: Students are accepted into the Respiratory Therapy AAS degree based on completion of the prerequisite course requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher (not to include SDV 101  as part of the GPA calculation) and competitive ranking of their GPA’s for the CSC RTH prerequisite courses. The program director will notify students by June 15 regarding acceptance. Acceptance into Clinical Courses: Students who have been accepted into the program must secure transportation to and from facilities used for clinical experiences. Students enrolled in programmatic clinical rotations shall not receive any form of remuneration in exchange for their work. In addition, students shall not be substituted for paid staff and/or used simply as back-ups in the absence of appropriate paid staff during clinical rotations. Students will be placed in clinical courses (RTH 190  or higher) when they have submitted the following (at the student’s expense):

• Completed physical examination form provided by the program, which includes a yearly PPD and flu vaccination, as well as an immunization schedule.
• Documentation of a current CPR Basic Life Support Certification (American Heart Association), with biennial recertification.
• Certified background check and drug screening.

Note: Applicants who do not pass the background check and/or drug screening will not be allowed to enroll in any Respiratory Therapy clinical course. Without completing the clinical component of the program, students will not be eligible for employment as a student or RCP, or for curriculum completion.

Program Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) through the NBRC Self-Assessment Exams and program clinical evaluations;
• Apply critical thinking to the practice of respiratory care as measured by the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice Self-Assessment Exam with a score of 94 or higher;
• Synthesize theory and clinical practice as measured by the NBRC Clinical Simulation Self-Assessment Exam with a combined score of 274 or higher on decision-making and information gathering; and Demonstrate awareness of credentialing, job placement, interviewing, licensure, and professionalism within the field of respiratory care by completing RTH 227 -Integrated Respiratory Therapy Skills II.

Industry Credentials: Students will have the opportunity to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care’s CRT credential.