Respiratory Care is a healthcare specialty that offers a set of unique challenges in prevention, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of people with lung problems. Respiratory Care involves a wide variety of life saving, life supporting situations, working alongside physicians, nurses, and others on the healthcare team, and treating patients ranging in age from newborns to senior citizens.

The work of respiratory care practitioners involves the administration of treatments using sophisticated medical equipment and technology to patients with lung disorders such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The respiratory care practitioner also works as a member of the critical care team, in laboratories, in rehabilitation, and in home care. Excellent judgment, assessment, and communications skills are essential for the respiratory care practitioner, as are the ability to solve problems and think creatively.

The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking and analytical skills including collection and organization of data as well as the ability to develop logical actions based on data analysis. The program combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical courses taught at the College and hospitals.

The Respiratory Care Program is a two-year program designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills and professional attitude necessary for successful employment as Respiratory Therapists. Upon completion of the AAS degree in Respiratory Technology, students will be prepared to begin a successful career as advanced-level respiratory therapists. Students are prepared to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRD) Entry Level Exam, NBRC Written Advanced
Practitioner Exam, and the NBRC Clinical Simulation Exam.

Outcomes: Graduates are prepared to:

• Perform oxygen therapy.
  
  
• Perform inhaled medication administration.
  
  
• Perform ventilator management.
  
  
• Perform cardiopulmonary diagnostic tests.
  
  
• Perform other interventions as required in the treatment of
  patients with lung disorders and diseases.

Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination and the Advanced Practitioner Examination. The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care Programs.

A grade of “C” or above must be earned in all required courses to continue in and complete the program. CPR is a prerequisite for entrance into the first clinical experience.

All students must sign a clinical contract defining their professional responsibility and behavior. All students are required to complete two to four weeks of clinic outside of Great Falls during the summer semester.

Summer Semester

Fall Semester