Respiratory Therapist, A.A.S.
Entry Time
Fall
Award
Associate of Applied Science degree
2 years (5 terms including summer)
Accreditation
The Kirkwood Respiratory Therapy program, CoARC program number 200190, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practices as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRT). Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy program, you should have the skills and knowledge needed for board exams; TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) exam (entry level), WRRT and/or CSE exam(s) (Registered Respiratory Therapist). Exams are administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Listed exams are required for employment, along with licensure to practice respiratory therapy. The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care can be contacted at:
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
www.coarc.com
Award Description
Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, provide treatment, evaluation, monitoring and management of patients with breathing disorders or cardiovascular problems. Respiratory therapists administer oxygen, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, manage mechanical ventilators, administer medications, monitor cardiopulmonary systems and measure lung function. Respiratory therapists treat all types of patients: premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed, elderly patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care for heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock.
Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to provide direct care to children and adults, including delivery of oxygen, administration of aerosolized drugs, endotracheal intubation, suctioning, management of life support, weaning of ventilation or life support, insertion of arterial lines, management of tracheotomies, drawing and interpretation of arterial blood gas samples. Advanced skills include intravenous, chest tube and central line insertions, as well as bronchoscopy procedures.
The Respiratory Therapist curriculum consists of classroom, laboratory and hospital-based clinical experiences at area hospitals and in-home health. This program begins each fall semester.
This Allied Health program has a mandatory background check for clinical purposes.
Career Opportunities
- hospitals
- training centers
- hospital outreach programs
- pharmaceutical sales
- sleep labs
- outpatient clinics
- home health agencies
- health education
- medical research
- physician offices
Degree Requirements
| Prerequisites | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Basic Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Human Anatomy Physiology I and Human Anatomy Physiology II | ||
| BIO-186 | Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry 1 | ||
| General Chemistry I 1 | ||
| MAT-102 | Intermediate Algebra 1 | 4 |
| Term Totals: | 14 | |
| Term 1 | ||
| RCP-101 | Respiratory A&P Enrichment 3 | 1 |
| RCP-120 | Cardiopulmonary Assessment 3 | 1 |
| RCP-212 | Introduction to Respiratory Care 3 | 3.5 |
| HSC-107 | Professionals in Health 2,3 | 2 |
| HSC-115 | Medical Terminology 2,3 | 4 |
| ENG-105 | Composition I 2,3 | 3 |
| Term Totals: | 14.5 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| RCP-220 | Respiratory Care I 3 | 3 |
| RCP-730 | Respiratory Care Clinic I 3 | 2.5 |
| RCP-300 | Respiratory Physiology 3 | 4 |
| PSY-111 | Intro to Psychology 2,3 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Oral Comm 2,3 | ||
| Public Speaking 2,3 | ||
| Communication for Health Care Professionals 2,3 | ||
| Term Totals: | 15.5 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| RCP-370 | Respiratory Pathology I 3 | 2 |
| RCP-420 | Pulmonary Function Testing 3 | 2 |
| RCP-511 | Respiratory Care II-A 3 | 4 |
| RCP-512 | Respiratory Care II-B 3 | 4 |
| Term Totals: | 12 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| RCP-470 | Cardiac Monitoring 3 | 1.5 |
| RCP-850 | Respiratory Care III 3 | 2.5 |
| RCP-610 | Perinatology 3 | 2.5 |
| RCP-380 | Respiratory Pathology II 3 | 2.5 |
| RCP-736 | Respiratory Care Clinic II 3 | 6 |
| Term Totals: | 15 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| RCP-740 | Respiratory Care Clinic III 3 | 6.5 |
| RCP-891 | Respiratory Care Applications 3 | 2.5 |
| RCP-480 | Advanced Cardiac Care 3 | 2.5 |
| Humanities or History/Culture Course 2,3 | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 14.5 | |
| Program Totals: | 85.5 | |
- 1
Courses must be completed with a C- or better before admission into the technical portion of the program.
- 2
Courses may be taken before beginning the program.
- 3
All Respiratory Therapist technical and elective courses must be completed with a C- or better to continue to the next semester.
Respiratory Therapist graduates take the Therapist Multiple Choice Exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care to become a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and be eligible for their Registered Respiratory Therapy licensure upon passing the CRT exam.
Optional Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSC-103 | Studies in Health Sciences | 1-3 |
| RCP-924 | Honors Project | 1 |