Respiratory Care Technology, A.A.S.

DEGREE: ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
DIVISION: ALLIED HEALTH

Respiratory Care Technology is the application of scientific knowledge and theory to practical clinical problems of cardiopulmonary care. Respiratory therapists perform procedures that are both diagnostic and therapeutic.

The Associate Degree program is a limited enrollment program. The deadline for application to the program is March 15. Prospective students must contact the Allied Health Admissions Office to initiate the application procedure. To be eligible to apply to the Respiratory Care Technology Program, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Earn an overall college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
3. Complete
   BIOL 141
     and
   BIOL 143
     (prerequisite for Anatomy and Physiology).
4. Be able to meet the program’s technical standards.

The respiratory therapist is qualified to assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities under the direction of a physician. The Associate Degree program satisfies educational requirements needed to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Examination.

The Respiratory Care Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program is accredited by the CoArc, Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Tx, 76021.  Phone number: 817-283-2835, fax: 817-354-8591, web: www.coarc.com.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Respiratory Care Technology Associate of Applied Science program, the learner will be able to:

• Master the didactic and clinical skills required to function as an entry-level respiratory technician (SLO # 1)
• Support medical ethics and law in regard to patient privacy and desired level of care and services (SLO # 2)
• Originate patient education and preventative health principles for disease management (SLO # 3)
• Evaluate the cardiopulmonary status of the patient by utilizing critical thinking (SLO # 4)
• Recommend and perform appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (SLO # 5)
• Plan, execute, evaluate, and modify treatment protocols based upon patient status while utilizing evidence-based practice according to the AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines (SLO # 6)