Respiratory Care AS

Respiratory Care Overview (2148) Limited Access

Type of Award

AS - Associate in Science

Program Website

www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx

Program Description

This degree program is designed for the student who wants to be employed as a respiratory care practitioner. Earning the A.S. degree in respiratory care enables the student to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registry Exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Graduates of this American Medical Association recognized and nationally accredited program have high employment success because of training in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation, pediatric life support, electrocardiography, pulmonary function technology and more.

Program Accreditation

The Palm Beach State College Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021-4244, (800) 874-5615.

Program Learning Outcomes

For detailed information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes.

General Admission Requirements to the College

  • Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications.
  • Submit an official high school or GED transcript and official college/university transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog for more information regarding transcripts.
  • Submit placement test scores if not exempt from placement testing. To determine if you are exempt, go to www.palmbeachstate.edu/advising/Placement-Testing.
  • Complete all other requirements for admission outlined in the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog.

Admission Requirements for Respiratory Care

In addition to the General Admission requirements, students must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for selection to the program. (Meeting admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program).

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher;
  • Attend a mandatory Respiratory Care open house information session;
  • Complete all required program prerequisites (listed below) with a grade of C or higher. BSC2085/ BSC2085L must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline;
  • Submit a completed Respiratory Care program application, located on the program website, and pay the application fee by the deadline.

Completion Requirements

Students must complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program with a grade of C or higher.

Program Length

This is a two-year program beginning in August each year. It requires a full-time commitment.

Location

The program is offered at the Palm Beach Gardens campus.

For More Information:

Nancy Latimer, Ph.D., RRT Department Chair/Program Director Palm Beach Gardens campus

LC 105

Office (561) 207-5068

Fax (561) 207-5011

E-Mail latimer@palmbeachstate.edu

Stephanie Parlamento, MBA, RRT Faculty/Director of Clinical Education

Palm Beach Gardens campus LC 104

Office (561) 207-5064

Fax (561) 207-5011

Email harwoods@palmbeachstate.edu

Employment Opportunities

Respiratory care is one of the fastest growing professions in the country and in Florida. Palm Beach State graduates have enjoyed a high job placement rate.

Respiratory care, also known as respiratory therapy, is an allied health profession that cares for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory therapists see a diverse group of patients ranging from newborn and pediatric patients to adults and the elderly. They bring help and relief to patients suffering from asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, infant respiratory distress syndrome, acute respiratory distress, congestive heart failure and conditions brought on by shock, trauma or post-operative surgical complications. Respiratory therapists also are involved in many specialty areas of the hospital such as labor and delivery, neonatal pediatric and adult intensive care, pulmonary function laboratory, sleep centers, pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation, hyperbaric therapy, bronchoscopy and more. There are many opportunities outside of the hospital as well.

Career Path Notes

Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State's Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management. For more information, visit: www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelors

Earning the A.S. degree in respiratory care enables the student to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registry Exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Career Center

www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career

For more information about employment opportunities, including job outlook and salary information, visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh

O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org

Required courses:

Program Prerequisites (Credits: 7)

Any course from Mathematics - Area III with the MAC MAP or MAS prefix

3 credits

BSC2085Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

BSC2085LAnatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA)

1 credits (3 lab hours)

General Education (Credits: 20)

Any course from Humanities - Area II

3 credits

BSC2086Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

BSC2086LAnatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA)

1 credits (3 lab hours)

CHM1032Principles of Chemistry (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

ENC1101College Composition 1 (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

MCB2010Microbiology (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

MCB2010LMicrobiology Lab (AA)

1 credits (2 lab hours)

SYG2000Introduction to Sociology (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

Note: CHM1032 or higher level Chemistry: CHM1025, CHM1045, CHM1046, CHM2210, CHM2211 or approved transfer credit.

CHM1032, ENC1101 and SYG2000: It is suggested that these courses be completed prior to program entry.

Required Courses (Credits: 49)

PHY1001Applied Physics (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

RET1272Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 (AS)

9 credits (9 lecture hours)

RET1272LFundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 Lab (AS)

3 credits (6 lab hours)

RET1273Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 (AS)

6 credits (6 lecture hours)

RET1273LFundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 Lab (AS)

2 credits (4 lab hours)

RET1874LClinical Internship 1 (AS)

1 credits (8 lab hours)

RET1875LClinical Internship 2 (AS)

3 credits (24 lab hours)

RET1876CClinical Internship 3 (AS)

4 credits (3 lecture hours, 12 lab hours)

RET2280CFundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 3 (AS)

7 credits (6 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

RET2534CFundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 4 (AS)

7 credits (6 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

RET2877LClinical Internship 4 (AS)

2 credits (16 lab hours)

RET2878LClinical Internship 5 (AS)

2 credits (16 lab hours)

Note: PHY1001 or higher level Physics: PHY2048, PHY2049, PHY2053, PHY2054 or approved transfer credit.

Total Credit Hours: 76

Course Sequence

Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 13)

RET1272Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 (AS)

9 credits (9 lecture hours)

RET1272LFundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 Lab (AS)

3 credits (6 lab hours)

RET1874LClinical Internship 1 (AS)

1 credits (8 lab hours)

Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 15)

RET1875LClinical Internship 2 (AS)

3 credits (24 lab hours)

RET1273Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 (AS)

6 credits (6 lecture hours)

RET1273LFundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 Lab (AS)

2 credits (4 lab hours)

BSC2086Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

BSC2086LAnatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA)

1 credits (3 lab hours)

Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Credits: 13)

ENC1101College Composition 1 (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

RET1876CClinical Internship 3 (AS)

4 credits (3 lecture hours, 12 lab hours)

SYG2000Introduction to Sociology (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

Any course from Humanities - Area II

3 credits

ENC1101 and SYG2000: It is suggested that these courses be completed prior to program entry.

Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 12)

RET2877LClinical Internship 4 (AS)

2 credits (16 lab hours)

RET2280CFundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 3 (AS)

7 credits (6 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

CHM1032Principles of Chemistry (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

Note: CHM1032 or higher level Chemistry: CHM1025, CHM1045, CHM1046, CHM2210, CHM2211 or approved transfer credit.

CHM1032: It is suggested that these courses be completed prior to program entry.

Term Two - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 16)

MCB2010Microbiology (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

MCB2010LMicrobiology Lab (AA)

1 credits (2 lab hours)

RET2534CFundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 4 (AS)

7 credits (6 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

RET2878LClinical Internship 5 (AS)

2 credits (16 lab hours)

PHY1001Applied Physics (AA)

3 credits (3 lecture hours)

Note: PHY1001 or higher level Physics: PHY2048, PHY2049, PHY2053, PHY2054 or approved transfer credit.

Total Credit Hours: 76

The 76 total program credits include the 7 credits of prerequisite courses: BSC2085, BSC2085L and Area lll mathematics course with MAC, MAP or MAS prefix.