Respiratory Care

Degree/Certificate(s) Available:
Associate in Applied Science Degree (72 hours)

Career Options:
Graduates (Certified Respiratory Therapists, Registered Respiratory Therapists, Certified Pulmonary Function Technologists, Registered Pulmonary Function Technologists, Cardiovascular Technology and Perinatal-Pediatric Specialists) may work in such hospital departments as respiratory care, anesthesiology or pulmonary medicine; or in home health agencies, respiratory care clinics, nursing home, rehabilitation centers or private physicians’ offices. Employment opportunities for the field are expected to increase rapidly through the year 2008 because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population and an increased incidence o cardiopulmonary disease.

Program Description:
The Respiratory Care program is a two-year curriculum that includes two semesters (25 credit hours) of prerequisite courses and four semesters (47 credit hours)) of didactic, laboratory, and clinical classes that prepare the student for a career as a Respiratory Therapist. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Enrollment in this program is limited. All prerequisite courses should be completed before application for enrollment into the Respiratory Care Program. All required courses of the Respiratory Care curriculum must be completed with a grade of “C’’ or better and a grade point average of at least 2.0 must be maintained while in the program.

A graduate of the program will receive an associate of applied science degree and will be eligible to apply for the Entry Level Examination provided by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Upon successful completion of the Entry Level Examination, a graduate will become a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT), and is eligible to apply for the NBRC registry examinations. Upon successful completion of the Written Registry and Clinical Simulation Examination, a graduate will become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

A graduate is eligible for additional specialty examinations and credentials which include the Perinatal Care Examination, the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist Examination, and, after the CPFT Examination, the Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists.

In addition, all graduates are American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructors, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Providers and will have completed the Neonatal Resuscitation Program in accordance with the standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Salary Range: Salaries vary with location and are based on shift work, responsibilities and experience. The average starting salary is $28,000 to $36,000 annually.

Respiratory care education programs are accredited through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), previously the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE). The CoARC is responsible for assuring that respiratory therapy education programs comply with the standards adopted by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Its representatives visit respiratory therapy programs to evaluate applications for accreditation and perform periodic reviews.

The CoARC publishes a listing of accredited respiratory care programs in the United States and can provide other information about the educational system. For more information, contact the CoARC at 1248 Harwood Road; Bedford, TX 76021-4244 or call 817/283-2835 or 800/874-5615 or visit: www.CoARC.org

Find Out More...

To find out more information about the exciting profession of Respiratory Therapy (RT) and the vital role they fulfill in the healthcare setting, click on this link to see what it takes to become an RT.

Become an RT
Website link provided by American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Department Chair:

Marty Partida, MHA, RRT-NPS
Phone: (903) 510-2481
Email: mpar@tjc.edu
Office: Pirtle Technology Bldg. - T-263