Purpose: The degree program in Respiratory Therapy is designed to prepare students for roles as contributing members of the modern health care team concerned with treatment, management, and care of patients with breathing abnormalities. Occupational Objectives: Occupational objectives include employment opportunities as respiratory therapy practitioners in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, home care agencies, and alternate care sites. The respiratory therapy practitioner will be able to administer gas therapy, humidity therapy, aerosol therapy, and hyperinflation therapy; assist with mechanical ventilation, special therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and airway management techniques. The respiratory therapy practitioner works under the supervision of a physician. Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission Program Notes: This program has limited space in clinical courses. Students admitted into the program will complete general education requirements, including those listed below, while on the waiting list for clinical. The program head will then notify students on the waiting list as space becomes available. Priority on the waiting list is assigned based on the date of completed requirements. Students admitted into Respiratory Therapy will be placed on the waiting list for entry into major/clinical courses (RTH 110 and higher) while they are satisfying the following requirements: 1. |
Completed the HOBET (Health
Occupations Basic Entrance Test) available
in the Downtown and Parham Road Campus testing centers. |
2. |
Mathematics
requirement: Students are required to take the math placement test
unless they have transferable college algebra with “C” or better.
If developmental math is required, the student needs to successfully
complete through Math 03. |
3. | Completed one unit of high school biology and one unit of high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or better or their equivalent (JSRCC BIO 01 and CHM 01) |
4. |
Completed the
following general education courses in the curriculum:
ENG 111 & 112, (2) Social
Sciences Courses, (2) credits of Health/PE,
NAS 161 & 162 and
SDV 100 (College Success Skills). |
5. | A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all JSRCC courses. |
6. | Grade of "C" or better in
NAS 161 and 162. |
7. | Interview with program head or clinical coordinator, primarily to discuss the requirements and qualifications for a career in respiratory therapy. |
Students will be placed in clinical courses (RTH 190 and higher) when they have also: 1. | Submitted completed physical and dental examination forms provided by the program. | 2. | Completed initial CPR certification (American Heart
or American Red Cross), with bi-annual recertification. | |
3. |
Completed certified background check. |
A special physical and dental examination is required for students entering the program; this includes an immunization schedule. Applicants must be free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect their performance. Drug testing and criminal background checks
are required by clinical affiliates. This will be at the student's expense. A student must obtain permission from the program head to continue the major in Respiratory Therapy under the following conditions: (l) receipt of a grade below a "C" in any major course, (2) overall GPA falls below a 2.0 average in any one semester. A student must obtain permission from the program head to take courses out of the sequence in the catalog. Students are responsible for transportation to and from facilities used for clinical experiences. Financial Requirements: Books and Supplies | $500 1st Semester $100 per Subsequent Semester | |
Miscellaneous
Fees (HOBET, Exit exam & Seminar) |
$225 for program | Identification Badge | $10 | Uniform (approximately) | $50 | Physical and Dental Examination | Varies | | Note: The above costs are approximate and are subject to change. |
Computer Competency Requirement:
All applicants must complete the college’s computer competency exam,
administered in the testing centers at each campus, prior to acceptance
in the Respiratory Therapy Program. Students not passing the computer
competency exam will be given one additional opportunity to successfully
pass the exam. Those students who do not pass the exam will be required
to complete
ITE 115 (Basic Computer Literacy) or
CSC 155 (Computer Concepts and Applications) or equivalent courses
prior to entering clinical.
Program Exit Exam: Every
student is required to pass a comprehensive exit exam before being added
to the National Board for Respiratory Care’s electronic eligibility data
base. The cost of the exam is to be paid by the student.
Program Accreditation and Practitioner Certification: The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244, (817) 283-2835 and by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the entry-level examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care Inc. Successful completion of the entry level exam will award the student with the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential which is required before state licensure can be applied for. Graduates are also eligible for entry into the Career Studies Certificate option in Respiratory Therapy Advanced Practice. | 
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