Respiratory Care

Pamela Halfhill, MS, Chair
Phone: (419) 995-8366
Email: halfhill.p@rhodesstate.edu
Office: TL 102E

Respiratory therapists are health care practitioners who are highly-skilled individuals who think critically while treating patients with breathing difficulties due to respiratory, cardiovascular, and other problems. Respiratory therapists work with premature newborns to the elderly and they have diverse career opportunities from education, management, therapy, and sales.
This award winning program’s multicompetent education and over 700 hours of clinical experience, will provide you with the knowledge, skills, professionalism and hands-on experience that will help you begin your career in the respiratory therapy field. Hands-on practice in our state-of-the-art respiratory lab includes high fidelity simulation, mechanical ventilation, and patient assessment using current equipment and practices. Rhodes State Respiratory graduates are employed as respiratory therapists in hospitals, clinics, cardiovascular technology, rehabilitation facilities, air and ground transport, pulmonary diagnostics, skilled nursing homes, and sleep study laboratories. 

Professional Credential and Licensure Information

Credentialing:

  1. Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs)
    Once a student has completed either a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree, they are eligible to take the national Therapist Multiple Choice exam.
  2. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs)
    Once respiratory therapists have successfully passed the Therapist Multiple Choice exam, they are eligible to take the national Clinical Simulation exam. Upon passing the Clinical Simulation exam, the therapist is awarded the RRT credential.
  3. For more information about the credentialing process: https://www.nbrc.org/

Licensure:

Mission Statement and Goals

The Respiratory Care Program prepares students to become competent, professional, advanced-level respiratory therapists.

The goal of the Respiratory Care program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of theoretical concepts including the ability to collect and evaluate patient data; and recommend procedures to obtain additional data.
  2. Initiate, conduct and independently modify prescribed therapeutic procedures and recommend modifications based on patient response.
  3. Display and maintain expected levels of professionalism in their appearance, interaction with others, and general conduct while performing their assigned duties.

Notice to Prospective or Current Respiratory Care Students

You are at risk if you have been convicted of a prior felony and/or some misdemeanors. You may not be able to participate in clinical education experiences at some hospitals or other clinical sites, therefore, preventing you from completing the program. A criminal record may also prevent you from obtaining a license or certificate in your chosen healthcare profession.

Technical Standards
See here for details.

Tech Prep Partner
See here for details.

“C” grade policy

  • A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for graduation.
  • A grade of “C” or higher must be achieved in all courses carrying the specific program prefix such as DHY, EMS, MAT, NSG, OTA, PNS, PTA, RAD, RES and SRG.
  • All programs and certificates require a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in required science courses and in required basic/related health science (BHS) courses as well as in selected general education and basic/related science courses (see program requirements).

All of the following required coursework needs to have been completed within five years of matriculation into a Health Sciences program or certificate.

BIO 1000Basic Human Structure and Function3
BIO 1110Anatomy and Physiology I (The age requirement may be waived by the Program Chair or Coordinator if the applicant is currently working in a healthcare field. )4
BIO 1120Anatomy and Physiology II (The age requirement may be waived by the Program Chair or Coordinator if the applicant is currently working in a healthcare field. )4
BIO 1400Microbiology4
BHS 1390Medical Terminology2
BHS 2110Growth and Development: Lifespan2
CHM 1120Introductory Organic and Biochemistry4
DTN 1220Principles of Nutrition2
NSG 1721Pharmacology for Nursing2

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

To meet the expanding requirements of our clinical affiliates, both a criminal background check and a drug screen will be mandatory prior to clinical experiences for most students within the Division of Health Sciences and Public Service. Some program exceptions may apply. You are at risk if you have been convicted of a prior felony and/or some misdemeanors. Students with certain felony, misdemeanor, or drug-related convictions will be ineligible for admission into clinical experiences. A criminal record may also prevent you from obtaining a license or certificate in your chosen healthcare profession or to obtain employment post-graduation. Students admitted to a program containing off-campus clinical/practicum experiences will be required to submit to drug screening. Positive drug screenings may result in dismissal from all clinical courses. Any student who refuses/fails to cooperate or complete any required drug screening will be considered “positive” and dismissed from the clinical component of their program. All students requiring drug screening may be subject to random drug screens and for cause during the program.

Recommended High School Coursework

Students are encouraged to complete college prep classes in high school. Although not required, the courses provide a better understanding of college-level work. Recommended college prep courses include:
English: 4 units
Math: 4 units
Natural Science: 3 units
Social Science: 3 units

Health Insurance

The Division of Health Sciences and Public Service is committed to protecting students, faculty, and patients from infectious diseases during clinical practice and taking every reasonable precaution to provide a safe educational and work environment. All new students entering the health-related programs will be informed of the risks of blood-borne and other infectious diseases. Students with a high risk of infectious diseases should be aware of their own health status and risk of exposure to other students, employees, or patients involved in the clinical environment. All students are required to provide their own health insurance coverage for the duration of their program and be able to provide proof of insurance if requested.