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Respiratory Care Technology Degree

Respiratory Care Technology Degree

This program is designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare facilities where respiratory care is administered as part of the total patient care. Theory, as well as lab and clinical skills related to cardiac and pulmonary pathophysiology are included in the coursework. In addition, the program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac medications, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure breathing, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care. Program graduates are qualified to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

The links below are to external databases of career and occupational information provided by organizations outside of Columbus Technical College, and will open in new windows.

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
  2. Be at least 17 years old.
  3. Submit the Letter of Intent form and Personal Data form by November 1st every year for winter quarter admission.
  4. Complete prerequisite courses by the end of fall quarter.
  5. Provide official results of COMPASS obtained within the past 5 years.
  6. Supply current, documented immunization record prior to program admission.

Entrance is contingent on completion of a Background check through H.I.R.E. which must be completed after being conditionally accepted to the program.

Estimated Cost:

Estimated costs are in addition to Tuition and Fees.
Cost of physical exam and immunizations will vary.

NBRC SAE Examination Fee
$140.00
Data Arc License Fee
60.00
Background check
100.00
Student Professional Liability Insurance
17.50
Uniforms and Accessories
250.00
Program Pin
50.00
Registry Seminar
350.00
ACLS Fee
10.00
NRP Fee
10.00
CPR Fee
TBD
Physical Exam w/PPD
Varies

Curriculum:

*A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses. Failure to do so will delay progression in program.*

Prerequisite Courses

*The following courses must be completed by the end of Fall quarter to be eligible for admission into the Respiratory Care Technology program. Applicants are accepted into the program via a "Selected Admission" process. A new class starts every Winter Quarter.

Quarter Course # Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours
1st MAT 1111 College Algebra 5 5
ENG 1101 Composition & Rhetoric I 5 5
BIO 2113 * Anatomy & Physiology I 7 5
  Total 17 15
2nd ENG 1102 Composition & Rhetoric II 5 5
BIO 2114 * Anatomy & Physiology II 7 5
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3 3
  Total 15 13
3rd PSY 1101 Introduction to Psychology 5 5
CHM 1111 * Chemistry I 7 5
BIO 2117 Introduction to Microbiology 7 5
  Total 19 15

Core Curriculum

*The following 6 quarters are sequential and must be taken in this order. Failure to take in sequence will delay student for one year.

Quarter Course # Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours
4th Winter RTT 193 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology 10 10
PHY 1110 Intro to Physics or 7 5
PHY 1111 Mechanics I (5)
  Total 17 15
5th Spring RTT 111 Pharmacology 5 5
RTT 112 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy 5 5
RTT 113 Respiratory Lab I 10 5
  Total 20 15
6th Summer RTT 209 Clinical Practice I 8 2
RTT 210 Clinical Practice II 8 2
RTT 211 Pulmonary Disease 5 5
RTT 212 Critical Respiratory Care 5 5
  Total 26 14
7th Fall RTT 213 Mechanical Ventilation & Airway Care 9 5
RTT 216 Pediatric & Neonatal Respiratory Care 3 3
RTT 218 Clinical Practice III 8 2
RTT 219 Clinical Practice IV 8 2
  Total 31 12
8th Winter RTT 214 Advanced Critical Care Monitoring 2 2
RTT 215 Pulmonary Function Testing 2 1
RTT 220 Clinical Practice V 16 5
RTT 227 Rehabilitation & Home Health Care 2 1
SPC 1101 Fundamentals of Speech 5 5
  Total 27 14
9th Spring RTT 217 Advanced Respiratory Care Seminar 7 5
RTT 222 Clinical Practice VI 32 10
  Total 39 15

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: October 6, 2009.