Respiratory Care

As a Registered Respiratory Therapist, you are a critical member of the healthcare team licensed by the Texas Medical Board to perform advanced life-saving procedures. You can expect outstanding compensation and benefits while advancing professionally. 

Our Respiratory Care program is a two-year curriculum that includes one semester of prerequisite courses and four semesters of lecture, laboratory, and clinical classes that prepare the student for a career as a respiratory therapist.

The graduate of the program will receive an associate of applied science degree and will be eligible to apply for the Therapist-Multiple Choice (TMC) examination administered by the national board for respiratory care (NBRC). The graduate who achieves the low cut score will attain the CRT credential. The graduate who passes the TMC at the high cut score will then be eligible to sit for the NBRC Clinical Simulation Exam. If successful, the credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will be attained.

The graduate is eligible for additional specialty examinations and credentials which include the Neonatal /Pediatric Specialty Examination (NPS), the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Examination, the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) Examination, Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) and the Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Examination. 

Essential Function Requirements for Students

To ensure you understand and are prepared for the basic duties required for prospective applicants, students, and subsequent employees with a degree in Respiratory Therapy you must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodations the following essential functions.  If necessary, a medical release, signed by a physician may be required to document that these criteria are met. Applicants and students requesting reasonable accommodations to meet these criteria must inform the Program Director in writing. The applicant or student is required to contact disability services and file the appropriate forms.  Disability Services | TJC

Physical

Student must:

• Push/pull/lift/maneuver
  • Patients during positioning or transport
  • Equipment and supplies
• Walk/stand/sit for long periods
• Bend/reach/kneel
• Use hands/wrists/shoulders to maintain prolonged arm positions (ex. During CPR, ventilation, bronchial assistance, blood draws, aerosol administrations, etc.)
• Grasp objects with both hands, pinch thumb and forefinger to turn dials or knobs on specialized equipment
• Perform patient physical assessment (ex. Auscultation, percussion, palpitation, etc.)
• Use standard office equipment

Sensory

• Perform patient physical assessment (ex. auscultation, percussion, palpitation etc.)
• Functional use of the senses such as hearing, touch, and vision to tell
  • location, pitch, and intensity of sounds
  • shades and discriminate colors
  • subtle variations in texture and temperature etc.

Mental, Intellectual and Cognitive

• Be able to read, understand, and apply printed material, which may include instructions printed on medical devices, equipment, and supplies
• Rapidly assess a variety of life-threatening situations
• Use computers and electronics for searching, recording, storing, and retrieving information
• Maintain patient safety through awareness of alarms and emergency signals
• Promote evidence-based medicine, research, and clinical practice guidelines
• Collect, interpret, calculate, problem-solve, diagnose, and document data
• Appropriately prioritize to optimize patient care and produce the best therapeutic and diagnostic outcomes
• Accurately perform respiratory care procedures in the proper sequence according to established standards

Emotional

• Demonstrate compassion, empathy, integrity, interpersonal skills and motivation
• Perform procedures with a high level of competency with little to no margin of error
• Provide physical and emotional support to the patient during respiratory care procedures
• Be capable of dealing with the demands of emergency situations, as well as the daily routine of duties with speed and accuracy
• Accept and cope with exposure to trauma and grief
• Recognize constructive criticism and performance feedback as avenues for improvement
• Appropriately regulate emotions to maintain composure in stressful or demanding situations

Communication and Interpersonal

• Be able to effectively communicate in English, in both written and verbal format
• Recognize and respond effectively to verbal and nonverbal communication sensitively
• Display sensitivity to and interact positively with multicultural and multilingual needs of all ages

• Maintain written records and complete assignments in didactic, lab, and clinical environments

Ethics and Professionalism

• Protect patients’ privacy and confidential information (HIPPA)
• Operate within the scope of practice
• Pass drug/alcohol testing and criminal background check
• Maintain professional conduct and appearance
• Develop mature relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team
• Demonstrate willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately and function as part of a medical team

Degree Plan

• Respiratory Care, AAS