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.
For more details about graduation requirements please refer to the Graduation section of this catalog.
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
Program Outcome Data: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Required courses:
Program Prerequisites (Credits: 7)
| Any course from Mathematics - Area III with the MAC MAP or MAS prefix | 3 credits |
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
General Education (Credits: 23)
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| CHM1032 | Principles of Chemistry (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| SYG2000 | Introduction to Sociology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History from 1865 to Present (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
Required Courses (Credits: 46)
| RET1272 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 (AS) | 9 Credits |
| RET1272L | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| RET1273 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 (AS) | 6 Credits |
| RET1273L | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 Lab (AS) | 2 Credits |
| RET1874L | Clinical Internship 1 (AS) | 1 Credit |
| RET1875L | Clinical Internship 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| RET1876C | Clinical Internship 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
| RET2280C | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 3 (AS) | 7 Credits |
| RET2534C | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 4 (AS) | 7 Credits |
| RET2877L | Clinical Internship 4 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| RET2878L | Clinical Internship 5 (AS) | 2 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 76
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 13)
| RET1272 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 (AS) | 9 Credits |
| RET1272L | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1 Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| RET1874L | Clinical Internship 1 (AS) | 1 Credit |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 15)
| RET1875L | Clinical Internship 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| RET1273 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 (AS) | 6 Credits |
| RET1273L | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 Lab (AS) | 2 Credits |
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Credits: 13)
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| RET1876C | Clinical Internship 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
| SYG2000 | Introduction to Sociology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 12)
| RET2877L | Clinical Internship 4 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| RET2280C | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 3 (AS) | 7 Credits |
| CHM1032 | Principles of Chemistry (AA) | 3 Credits |
Note: CHM1032 or higher level Chemistry: 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)
| MCB2010 | Microbiology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| MCB2010L | Microbiology Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| RET2534C | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy 4 (AS) | 7 Credits |
| RET2878L | Clinical Internship 5 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History from 1865 to Present (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 76