Program Overview
The Respiratory Therapy program is a selective admission program that takes four semesters to complete once accepted. Successful completion entitles the student to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy and eligibility to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist board exams.
Career Opportunities
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 tracheostomies, and drawing and interpretation of arterial blood gas samples.
Work settings include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term acute care facilities, and home health agencies.
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate basic cardiopulmonary knowledge in respiratory care.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical skills in the practice of respiratory care.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in respiratory care.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice Self-Assessment Examination (TMC-SAE) and NBRC Clinical Simulation Self-Assessment Examination (CSE-SAE) exams to achieve graduation.
- Qualify to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam.
Estimated Cost
- Books: $820.00
- Supplies: $50.00
- Course Fees: $250.00
- Other (specify): LJ Licensure Study Packet: 325.00
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Respiratory Therapy Program Selective Admissions Application Requirements
This program has selective admission and has additional requirements to be accepted into the degree program. Specific requirements and process can be found here: http://www.slcc.edu/respiratory-therapy/admissions.aspx. Please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office, healthsciencesadmissions@slcc.edu, or 801-957-6253 for additional information.
Accreditation
The Salt Lake Community College Respiratory Therapy program holds provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC; #200630).
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX 76021
Phone: 817-283-2835
Fax: 817-354-8519
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 (RRTs). 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 (Source: www.coarc.com)
Programmatic Outcomes Data
The intent of the reporting is that comparable information be readily available to the public. CoARC has completed the verification of the Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status (RCS). This data is self-reported by respiratory care programs to CoARC and reflects the aggregate data for the three-year time period being reported.
https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Licensure Information
We have made a good-faith effort to collect state licensure requirements for the SLCC programs of study that lead to professional licensure. You can view additional information about state licensure requirements on our Professional Licensure webpage.