What Do Respiratory Therapists Do?
The Respiratory Therapist program at Somerset Community College prepares graduates to provide and manage client care by becoming members within the discipline of respiratory care. Graduates are prepared and eligible to take credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to practice as entry level practitioners (CRT) as well as advanced level practitioners (RRT). Like most states in the nation, Kentucky has a mandatory certification law for Respiratory Care Practitioners. This certification gives the holder the right to practice respiratory care in the Commonwealth. Reciprocity exists between Kentucky and most all other states.
What are my career options?
Respiratory Therapists work as important members of the health care team and provide treatments to clients with cardiopulmonary disorders. Most therapists are employed in cardiopulmonary medicine or respiratory care departments of hospitals. Others are employed by home health agencies, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, pulmonary function laboratories, medical device companies, and physician offices. For further information regarding this profession, please visit www.AARC.org.
What are my degrees, diploma, and certificate options?
Advising Plans
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BIO 137 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| MAT 110 - Applied Mathematics OR | 3 |
| MAT 146 - Contemporary College Mathematics | (3) |
| MAT 150 - College Algebra | 3 |
| BIO 139 - Human Anatomy and PHysciology II | 4 |
| ENG 101 - Writing I | 3 |
| COM 181 - Basic Public Speaking OR | 3 |
| COM 252 - Interpersonal Communication | (3) |
| PSY 110 - General Psychology OR | 3 |
| SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology | (3) |
| Heritage/Humanities | 3 |
| Total | 23 |
| Class | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| RCP 110 - Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RCP 120 - Theories and Principles of Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RCP 125 - Cardiopulmonary Evaluation | 4 |
| RCP 135 - Pharmacology | 1 |
| RCP 150 - Clinical Practice I | 2 |
| RCP 175 - Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| RCP 180 - Ventilatory Support | 3 |
| RCP 190 - Advanced Ventilatory Support | 2 |
| RCP 200 - Clinical Practice III | 3 |
| RCP 204 - Emergency and Special Procedures | 3 |
| RCP 210 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology | 3 |
| RCP 212 - Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RCP 214 - Advanced Diagnostic Procedures | 3 |
| RCP 225 - Clinical Practice IV | 3 |
| RCP 228 - Preventive and Long Term Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RCP 250 - Clinical practice V | 3 |
| Total | 47 |
Total hours for program - 70 credits
How do I apply?
All students planning to apply to the next Respiratory Therapist Program, beginning August 2024, MUST attend a Pre-Admission Conference prior to applying.
Find in-person Pre-Admission Conference dates, or complete the Pre-Admission Conference online!
Additional Information
- Four semester program
- Leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) with a general education requirement of 23 hours
- Respiratory Care Technical Coursework (45-47 hours)
- Theory/Skills presented in lecture/lab format
- Clinical Component: Held in clinical sites which provide services to respiratory patients
- Highly Recommended general education courses of 6-7 hours.
Accreditation Information
The Respiratory Therapist program has been awarded Continuing Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd Telford, TN 37690, (817) 283-2835 or www.coarc.com
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.
CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
The Respiratory Therapy program at Somerset Community College is program number 200532.
Goal:
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).
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
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