2022-2023 Catalog

Respiratory Therapy, A.A.S.

A.A.S. Degree—72 credit hours

Curriculum Code 1241

This program prepares students as critical-care specialists to assist a primary-care physician in managing patients with serious heart and lung disorders. Respiratory therapists are responsible for administering medical gases, managing electronic monitoring equipment, controlling life-support systems, and handling various medical emergencies. Related responsibilities may include diagnostic testing of breathing disorders, rehabilitation of patients with long-standing pulmonary disease, and asthma education.

Admitted students who wish to earn an Associate in Science degree in addition to an Associate in Applied Science degree should consult with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center.

Job opportunities are expected to remain good. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase much faster than average because of substantial growth of middle-aged and elderly populations.

Accreditation— Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
P.O. Box 54876
Hurst, TX 76054-4876
CoARC (817) 283-2835 coarc.com 

Admission Requirements— See Admission to Health Science Programs in the Admission and Registration section.

Fees— Fees associated with the Respiratory Therapy Program include use of equipment, supplies, and malpractice insurance. Additional expenses include the cost of a uniform, transportation to and parking at clinical sites, physical examination, a CPR course, criminal background check, drug screening, and national board practice exams. Membership to the American Association for Respiratory Care is required to attend the Illinois Society for Respiratory Care Conference during the summer semester.

Health Physical— Prior to clinical placement, students must submit a complete health history and physical form including drug screening signed by the applicant and physician. The health physical includes laboratory tests and immunizations required by clinical affiliates. Questions about the health physical should be directed to the program coordinator. Health physical forms may be obtained from the Admissions Office. The student is encouraged to maintain a copy of all health physical information submitted to the program.

Re-Application— Applicants not selected for one starting class are individually responsible for reactivating and up­dating their application file for subsequent starting classes. Re-applicants must complete a new application form and submit it to the Admissions Office during the applicable time period.

Readmission— Upon withdrawal or failure to maintain a minimum grade of “C” in any required course in the Respiratory Therapy Program, students must receive permission from program faculty before they may be considered for readmission. They must also meet any current requirements for readmission contained in the Student Handbook issued to students upon beginning the program. If all stipulations are met, readmission is still contingent on space-available basis.

Credentials and Licensing— Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program must pass the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) in order to apply for an Illinois state license. After passing the TMC, the individual earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential and is eligible to take the second level of testing to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Program Requirements—

• Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in each required career course (theory and clinical).

• Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical affiliates.

• Students are responsible for securing uniforms.

• A liability insurance fee is required.

• The college requires that students have minimal health insurance coverage.

• Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Additional Requirements— A current health care provider level CPR card from the American Heart Association is required for clinical placement. A criminal background check and drug screen are required by the clinical affiliate prior to clinical placement.

Program Calendar— The two-year program starts in the fall term and includes five semesters, including one summer term. Students may complete general education requirements prior to program enrollment. The required biology, chemistry and mathematics courses must be completed within five years of program admission. Exceptions may be granted on an individual basis by the program coordinator. The required career courses must be taken in sequence.

Required General Education Courses

30 credit hours as follows:

BIO-119Introductory Microbiology

4

BIO-180Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

BIO-181Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4

- 

CHM-111Fundamentals of Chemistry

4

OR-

CHM-131Chemistry (University Oriented) I

4

- 

COM-101Composition I

3

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

- 

MTH-109Math for Allied Health

2

OR-

MTH-139Probability and Statistics

4

- 

PSY-104Life-Span Developmental Psychology

3

(Note: Take MTH-109 or MTH-139 or higher.)

Select 3 credit hours from Humanities and Fine Arts:

ARB, ART, FRE, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, SPA, THE

Required Career Courses in Sequence

42 credit hours as follows:

MRT-110Medical Terminology

3

RES-101Foundations of Respiratory Care

3

RES-102Fundamentals of Medical Gas Therapy

5

RES-103Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy

3

RES-104Airway Care and Gas Exchange

4

RES-105Respiratory Therapeutic Modalities

5

RES-106Patient and Ventilator Management

3

RES-107Managing the Critically Ill Patient

2

RES-154Respiratory Clinical Practice I

1

RES-157Respiratory Clinical Practice II

1

RES-201Neonatal/Advanced Respiratory Care

3

RES-202Respiratory Care Capstone

3

RES-250Respiratory Clinical Practice III

2

RES-251Respiratory Clinical Practice IV

4

Suggested Schedule

Summer (7 credit hours)

CHM-111Fundamentals of Chemistry

4

OR-

CHM-131Chemistry (University Oriented) I

4

- 

MRT-110Medical Terminology

3

Semester 1 (18 credit hours)

BIO-180Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

COM-101Composition I

3

RES-101Foundations of Respiratory Care

3

RES-102Fundamentals of Medical Gas Therapy

5

RES-103Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy

3

Semester 2 (17 credit hours)

BIO-181Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4

RES-104Airway Care and Gas Exchange

4

RES-105Respiratory Therapeutic Modalities

5

RES-106Patient and Ventilator Management

3

RES-154Respiratory Clinical Practice I

1

Summer (5 credit hours)

MTH-109Math for Allied Health

2

OR-

MTH-139Probability and Statistics

4

- 

RES-107Managing the Critically Ill Patient

2

RES-157Respiratory Clinical Practice II

1

(Note: Take MTH-109 or MTH-139 or higher.)

Semester 3 (12 credit hours)

BIO-119Introductory Microbiology

4

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

RES-201Neonatal/Advanced Respiratory Care

3

RES-250Respiratory Clinical Practice III

2

Semester 4 (13 credit hours)

PSY-104Life-Span Developmental Psychology

3

RES-202Respiratory Care Capstone

3

RES-251Respiratory Clinical Practice IV

4

___-___Humanities and Fine Arts Elective

3