Remember our Friends & Heros

JSRCC Online Web Utilities

Click here to jump back to the college home page

 

 

Respiratory Therapy

Associate of Applied Science

 

     Printable PDF Version                 

Purpose: The degree program in Respiratory Therapy is designed to prepare students for roles as contributing members of the modern health care team concerned with treatment, management, and care of patients with breathing abnormalities.

 

Occupational Objectives: Occupational objectives include employment opportunities as respiratory therapy practitioners in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, home care agencies, and alternate care sites. The respiratory therapy practitioner will be able to administer gas therapy, humidity therapy, aerosol therapy, and hyperinflation therapy; assist with mechanical ventilation, special therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and airway management techniques. The respiratory therapy practitioner works under the supervision of a physician.

 

Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission

 

Program Notes: All applicants to the Respiratory Therapy AAS Degree program must declare their curriculum plan as the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies Certificate program. (Please see http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/curriculum/plan_info.htm for information on this career studies certificate.) In order to be officially accepted into the Respiratory Therapy AAS degree program, applicants will need to fulfill certain pre-requisites included in the career studies certificate and meet with the program head to review their records. The program head will then notify students as space becomes available.

 

Students admitted into Respiratory Therapy program must complete the requirements listed below before entry into major/clinical courses (RTH 110 or higher).   As an exception, students can take RTH 102 and RTH121 while completing the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies Certificate.

 

1.

Completed the HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test) available in the Downtown and Parham Road Campus testing centers.

2.

Completed the mathematics placement test and completed through MTH 03 if developmental mathematics is required based on placement test results.  Students with transferable college algebra with a grade of “C” or better will be exempt from the mathematics placement test.  If developmental math is required, the student needs to successfully complete through Math 3.

3.

Completed one unit of high school biology and one unit of high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or better or their equivalent (JSRCC BIO 1 and CHM 1).

4.

Completed the following courses in the curriculum:  ENG 111 and 112, Social/Behavioral Science Elective (3 credits), Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3 credits),  Personal Wellness elective (2 credits), NAS 161 and 162, and SDV 100.

5.

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all JSRCC courses.

6.

Grade of "C" or better in NAS 161 and 162.

7.

Completed an interview with the Respiratory Therapy program head or clinical coordinator primarily to discuss the requirements and qualifications for a career in respiratory therapy.

Students will be placed in clinical courses (RTH 190 and higher) when they have also

1.

Submitted completed physical and dental examination forms provided by the program.

2.

Completed initial CPR certification (American Heart or American Red Cross), with bi-annual recertification.

3.

Completed certified background check.

A special physical and dental examination is required for students entering the program; this includes an immunization schedule. Applicants must be free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect their performance.

 

Drug testing and criminal background checks are required by clinical affiliates at the student's expense.

 

A student must obtain permission from the program head to continue the major in Respiratory Therapy under the following conditions: (l) receipt of a grade below a "C" in any major course or (2) overall GPA falls below a 2.0 average in any one semester. A student must obtain permission from the program head to take courses out of the sequence in the catalog.

 

Students are responsible for transportation to and from facilities used for clinical experiences.

 

*There is a mentorship in association with clinical courses for qualifying students on a space available basis.

 

Progression through the Program: The college offers this program in affiliation with the healthcare agencies and practitioners in the communities the college serves.  The college relies on its community affiliates to provide clinical education opportunities for its students, expert clinical preceptors, and course instructors for many courses.  The often rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, and content of credentialing examinations increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures and course scheduling.  As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program.  Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments.  Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.

 

Financial Requirements:

Books and Supplies

$500 1st Semester

$100 per Subsequent Semester

Miscellaneous Fees (HOBET, Exit exam & Seminar) $225 for program

Identification Badge

$10

Uniform (approximately)

$50

Physical and Dental Examination

Varies

Note: The above costs are approximate and subject to change.

 

Computer Competency Requirement:  All applicants must complete the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers at each campus, prior to acceptance in the  Respiratory Therapy program. Students not passing the computer competency exam will be given one additional opportunity to successfully pass the exam.  Those students who do not pass the exam will be required to complete ITE 115 (Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts) or CSC 155 (Computer Concepts and Applications) or equivalent courses prior to entering clinical.

 

Program Exit Exam:  Every student is required to pass a comprehensive exit exam before being added to the National Board for Respiratory Care’s electronic eligibility data base.  The cost of the exam is to be paid by the student. 

 

Program Accreditation and Practitioner Certification: The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244, (817) 283-2835 and by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the entry-level examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care Inc. Successful completion of the entry level exam will award the student with the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential which is required before state licensure can be applied for.  Graduates are also eligible for entry into the Career Studies Certificate option in Respiratory Therapy Advanced Practice.

CURRICULUM

COURSE

TITLE

LEC.

HRS.

LAB.

HRS.

CRS.

CRE.

RTH 102

Integrated Sciences for Respiratory Care

3

0

3

RTH 110

Fundamentals Theory and Procedures for Respiratory Care

2

6

4

RTH 121

Cardiopulmonary Science I

3

0

3

RTH 135

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures I

1

3

2

RTH 145

Pharmacology for Respiratory Care I

1

0

1

*ENG 111

College Composition I

3

0

3

*SDV 100

College Success Skills

1

0

1

*___ __1

Personal Wellness Elective

0-1

0-2

1

 

TOTAL

14-15

9-11

18

RTH 113

Pathophysiology of the Cardiopulmonary System

3

3

4

RTH 131

Respiratory Care Theory and Procedures I

3

3

4

RTH 1901

Coordinated Practice in Respiratory Therapy-NCC I & II

0

20

6

RTH 199

Supervised Study in Respiratory Therapy-NCC Exam Prep

1

0

1

*ENG 112

College Composition II

3

0

3

TOTAL

10

26

18

RTH 132

Respiratory Care Theory and Procedures II

3

3

4

RTH 222

Cardiopulmonary Science II

3

0

3

RTH 190

Coordinated Practice in Respiratory Therapy-NCC Internship

0

10

3

*NAS 161

Health Science I

3

3

4

RTH 215

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

1

0

1

RTH 265

Current Issues in Respiratory Care

2

0

2

 

TOTAL

12

16

17

RTH 290

Coordinated Practice in Respiratory Therapy-ACC/NPCC I & II

0

20

6

RTH 299

Supervised Study in Respiratory Therapy-Exam Prep I

1

0

1

*NAS 162

Health Science II

3

3

4

*___ __2

Social/Behavioral Science Elective

3

0

3

*___ __2

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

3 0 3

*___ __2

Personal Wellness Elective

0-1

0-2

1

TOTAL

10-11

23-25

18

Total Minimum Credits Required for AAS Degree in Respiratory Therapy

71

*This course is included in the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies Certificate.

1 Students must pass the computer competency exam or complete either ITE 115 or CSC 155 prior to entering clinical.

2 A list of approved general education electives (humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, mathematics, science, and wellness) is provided in the General Education section of the catalog under Curriculum Planning and Design.

02.13.08

Home Page  |  Visitor Information  |  Student Resources  |  Academic Resources   |  Workforce Alliance

© J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College    
PO BOX 85622   Richmond, Virginia, USA  23285-5622 
(804.371.3000)