Respiratory Care
Associate of Applied Science Degree

Advisor: Leonard Bates

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Most people take breathing for granted. It’s second nature, an involuntary reflex. But for the thousands, who suffer from breathing problems, each breath is a major accomplishment. Those people include patients: with chronic lung problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema; heart attack and accident victims; premature infants; and people with cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and AIDS.

In each case the patient will likely receive treatment from a Respiratory Therapist (RT) under the direction of a physician. RTs work to evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. They are a vital part of a hospital’s lifesaving response team that answers patient emergenices.

While most RTs work in hospitals, an increasing number have branched out into alternative care sites, such as nursing homes, physicians’ offices, home health agencies, specialized care hospitals, medical equipment supply companies, and patients’ homes.

A RT performs both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as:

• Obtaining and analyzing sputum and breath specimens;
  
  
• Take blood specimens and analyze them to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases;
  
  
• Interpreting data obtained from specimens;
  
  
• Measuring the capacity of patients lungs to determine if there is impaired function;
  
  
• Performing studies on the cardiopulmonary system;
  
  
• Studying disorders of people with disruptive sleep patterns;
  
  
• Operating mechanical ventilators for patients who cannot breath adequately;
  
  
• Delivering inhaled medications and medical gases;
  
  
• Teaching patients with lung disorders to maintain meaningful and active life systems.

RTs work collaboratively with other health care practitioners. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are mandatory for success in this environment. Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary when interacting with other members of the multidisciplinary health care team as well as the patients and families. Such a role also requires a broad educational background in English composition, communication, and interpersonal relations. Computer literacy is especially important in today’s health care environment.

The RT Program is a two-year program designed to help students develop the knowledge, skills and professional attitude necessary for a successful career as RT. Upon completion of the AAS degree in RT, graduates will be prepared to begin a career as Advanced Practitioner RT. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRD) Entry Level and the Advanced Practitioner examinations.

Outcomes - Graduates are prepared to:

• Practice as a registered RT in the healthcare delivery system;
  
  
• Comply with standards-of-practice, and ethical code of the American Association for Respiratory Care;
  
  
• Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to patient care;
  
  
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication as well as good interpersonal skills; and
  
  
• Safely and correctly utilize current technology and equipment in the practice of Respiratory Care.
  

The RT program is accrediated by the Commission on Accrediation of Allied Health Education Programs through the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care Programs.

Estimated Resident Program Cost:

Tuition and Fees	$8999
Application Fee	$30
Lab Fees	$545
Uniforms	$63
Books/Supplies	$1900
TOTAL:	$11,537

 

Pre-Respiratory Courses and Skills

Background in basic science and math is essential to prepare applicants to succeed in the RT program.

Prior to admission to the RT program students must have completed high school chemistry and demonstrate computer literacy. (Students without high school courses should consult the RT Program Director about the appropriate college courswork to meet this requirement.)

Prior to formal program acceptance, the applicant must successfully complete all of the program prerequisites with a minimum grade of “C-”.

Prerequisite Courses

Course	No.	Title	Credits
BIO	213**	Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab	4+
ENGL	121**	Composition I	3+
MATH	161**	College Algebra w/ Science Applications	3+
COMM	135	Interpersonal Communication OR
PSY	101	General Psychology OR
PSY	109	Lifespan Development	3+
		SUBTOTAL	13

The courses below are to be taken in the order that they are listed. Admission into the RT program and completion of the previous semester are required.

Program Course Requirements After Formal Acceptance

A grade of “C-” or above must be earned in all required courses to continue in and graduate from the program. CPR is a prerequisite for entrance into the first clinical experience. Each student is required to sign a clinical contract defining their professional responsibilities and behavior and must complete two to four weeks of clinic outside of Great Falls during the summer semester.

Fall Semester 1

Course	No.	Title	Credits
BIO	214*	Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab	4+
RC	150	Respiratory Care	2†
RC	155	Respiratory Physiology	3†
RC	170	Resp Tech & Procedures I	5†
		SUBTOTAL	14

 

Spring Semester 1

Course	No.	Title	Credits
RC	140*	Resp Care Clinic I	4+
RC	171*	Resp Techn & Procedures II	5+
RC	180*	Ventilator Management	2+
RC	255*	Pulmonary Assessment	3+
		SUBTOTAL	14

 

Summer Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
RC	141*	Resp Care Clinic II	4+
RC	260*	Neonatal Respiratory Care	3+
		SUBTOTAL	7

Fall Semester 2

Course	No.	Title	Credits
EMS	145*	ACLS Preparation	1+
RC	240*	Resp Care Clinic III	5+
RC	245*	Resp Care Clinical Seminar I	1+
RC	250*	Hemodynamic Monitoring	3+
RC	275*	Pulmonary Disease	2+
		SUBTOTAL	12

 

Spring Semester 2

Course	No.	Title	Credits
AH	120	Intravenous Therapy	1†
EMS	146	Pediatric Advanced Life Support	1†
RC	241*	Resp Care Clinic IV	5†
RC	246*	Resp Care Clinical Seminar II	1†
RC	265*	Resp Care in Alternative Sites	1†
RC	273*	Pulmonary Function Testing	1†
RC	280*	Supervisory Management	2†
		SUBTOTAL	12

Total Program Credits: 72~

~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedules.

+ A grade of "C-" or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment