Respiratory Care Therapist

Important Information

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses .

Courses Needed for This Program*

Total Credits Required for Degree: 65*

Note

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description

Respiratory care is a life-supporting, life-enhancing profession practiced under qualified medical direction. Respiratory care services provided to patients with disorders of the cardiopulmonary system such as asthma and heart disease include diagnostic testing, therapeutics, monitoring, and rehabilitation. Patient, family, and public education are central to the mission of the profession. Respiratory care services are provided in all health care facilities and in the home.

Program accreditation is provided by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care. Graduates of the program earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (N.B.R.C.) examinations. The N.B.R.C. has contracted with the State of Maryland to provide state credentialing.

Classroom and laboratory instruction is taught at CCBC Essex. Clinical experience is obtained at a variety of clinical sites to include, but not limited to, Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties and Baltimore City. The program is full time and is generally conducted during daytime hours. Students are strongly encouraged to complete as many of the General Education requirements as possible before enrolling in the program.

The Respiratory Care Therapist program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care, P.O. Box 54876, Hurst, Texas 76054-4876.

School of Health Professions Policies

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code; exhibit professional behavior; communicate effectively in English; provide proof of health insurance, immunizations, and a tuberculosis (TB) test; and submit to a criminal background check and drug testing. Students are expected to pay the costs associated with these requirements.

Admission

The Respiratory Care Therapist Program is part of the School of Health Professions and admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the Respiratory Care Therapist Program is selective and competitive:

• Applicants must have minimum grade of C or better in the required prerequisite courses: BIOL 109 (or BIOL 220 & BIOL 221), ENGL 101, CHEM 107/108.
• Applicants either must be in progress with or have completed required prerequisite courses by the application deadline.
• Applicants must have an overall GPA of 2.5 for all completed prerequisites, general education requirements, and program requirements.
• Applicants must have a minimum CCBC GPA of 2.00 for any courses completed at CCBC.

Information about admissions processes for the Respiratory Care Therapist Program and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the School of Health Professions Admission Office in Room ECHP 101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 443-840-1112. This information is also available on the School of Health Professions website.

Students are encouraged to complete as many general education and program required courses as possible before entering the Respiratory program. Respiratory (RESP) courses can only be taken by students formally accepted into the Respiratory program and must be completed in a sequence that takes two academic years to complete.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion this degree, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate cognitive skills relevant to the role and function of the Registered Respiratory Therapist;
2. demonstrate psychomotor skills necessary for the role and function of the Registered Respiratory Therapist;
3. demonstrate personal and professional behaviors consistent with the role of a Registered Respiratory Therapist; and
4. obtain Registered Respiratory Care positions in local and regional health care facilities.