The Respiratory Therapy program is undergoing updates. Please contact Academic Advisor, Angela Harvey at angela.harvey@slcc.edu or use the link, https://aharve12.youcanbookme, to schedule an advising appointment for current program and admissions information.

Associate of Applied Science | 69 credits

Nursing Division
Jordan Campus  JHS 108E
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-6215
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty

Program Description
The Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy will help students utilize critical thinking in the study of theory and techniques in a wide variety of clinical settings to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. Upon successful completion of the core program, the graduate will be eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry-Level Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist, and the Advanced Level Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Career Opportunities
Respiratory therapists are clinicians with specialized training to work with people suffering from pulmonary diseases. They work in hospital settings, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, and other units.  They  work in out-patient settings and home health providing treatment for asthma and other respiratory conditions.  Respiratory therapists work with all age groups through the lifespan.  They are involved in treatment as well as patient education.

Transfer/Articulation Information
This AAS degree will prepare students to sit for professional boards.  To transfer into a Bachelor’s program (Weber State University), a student must complete additional general education course requirements.  For additional program information, see School of HS website or this program’s advisor.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Additional estimated cost of $4565 includes books, supplies, lab fees, board fees, and uniform.

Estimated Time to Completion
Once admitted into the program students are expected to take15 credits or more per semester (two academic years), based on full-time enrollment of 15 credits or more per semester; summers are not included. Additional time is required to complete prerequisites.

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Program Entry Requirements
Applicants will apply for admission to SLCC and declare their major as Pre-Health Sciences. Students will schedule an appointment to meet with the Respiratory Therapy Academic Advisor. Students must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of specified program prerequisites courses with a grade of “C” or better.  
• Complete the School of Health Sciences’ online application
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or above in all RESP prerequisite courses

Prerequisites includes:

• ENGL 1010 Intro to Writing (EN) 
• MATH 1010 Integrated Algebra (QS), or higher
• COMM 1010 Elements of Effective Communication (CM)  
• COMM 2110 Interpersonal Communication (CM) 
• CHEM 1010 Intro to Chemistry (PS) 

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Specialized Program Accreditation
The Respiratory Therapy program at Salt Lake Community College, Program # 200630, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) West Jordon Campus 3491 West Wights Fort Road, West Jordon, Utah 84088 holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). 

http://www.slcc.edu/respiratory-therapy/index.aspx

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835

Licensure Information
Graduation from the Respiratory Therapy program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a Utah state license to practice as a Respiratory Therapist. Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state.  In order to work as a Respiratory Therapist, students must satisfy individual state requirements, independent of SLCC graduation requirements. It is highly recommended that students consult in advance with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), or similar agencies in other states, to find out more about eligibility for licensure. DOPL can be reached at 801-530-6628 or at their website.

 For students who plan to work as a Respiratory Therapist in another state, here is one suggested website for researching state licensure requirements: License Finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have difficulty finding the licensure requirements for your state, please contact your academic advisor or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy 8 - Develop lifelong wellness
Utilize critical thinking skills in active and reflective reasoning that integrates facts, informed opinions, and observations to come up with action plans that are appropriately applied to respiratory therapy clinical settings.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Function within inter-professional teams and communicate effectively with diverse populations and utilize applicable problem-solving strategies.	2, 4, 5, 6
Develop the knowledge and skills of core content with familiarity and understanding of respiratory care principles and develop sufficient scope and depth to achieve competence in all components of respiratory therapy practice.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Successfully complete the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry-Level Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist and the Advanced Level Respiratory Care Practitioner Examination to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist.	1, 3, 4, 7

 

General Education Requirements

Core Skills

Composition (EN) 1 course

• ENGL 1010 - Intro to Writing (EN)

Quantitative Studies (QS) 1 course

• MATH 1010 - Integrated Algebra (QS)  (or higher)

Communication (CM) 1 course

Students must complete the following as part of accreditation requirements.

• COMM 1010 - Elements of Effective Communication (CM)

Human Relations (HR) 1 course

Students must complete the following as part of accreditation requirements.

• COMM 2110 Interpersonal Communication (CM) 

Distribution Area

Students must complete the following as part of accreditation requirements.

• CHEM 1010 Intro to Chemistry (PS) 

Required Courses (53 Credits)

• RESP 1100 - Introduction to Respiratory Therapy & Medical Terminology
• RESP 1110 - Cardiopulmonary Structure & Function
• RESP 1120 - Cardiopulmonary Infections & Diseases
• RESP 1130 - Respiratory Care Therapeutics I
• RESP 1135 - Therapeutics I Laboratory Practical
• RESP 1200 - Respiratory Care Pharmacology
• RESP 1210 - Cardiopulmonary Injuries & Disorders
• RESP 1220 - Respiratory Care Therapeutics II
• RESP 1225 - Therapeutics II Laboratory Practical
• RESP 1230 - Clinical Practice I
• RESP 2300 - Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
• RESP 2310 - Mechanical Ventilation
• RESP 2315 - Adult Mechanical Ventilation Laboratory
• RESP 2320 - Critical Care/ACLS
• RESP 2330 - Clinical Practice II
• RESP 2410 - Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care
• RESP 2415 - Pediatric & Neonatal Care Lab Practical
• RESP 2420 - Comprehensive Review
• RESP 2430 - Clinical Practice III

Graduation Map

Respiratory Therapy AAS: Full-time 

Advising Notes

Respiratory Therapy program accepts up to 25 students every Spring semester. Classes are taught during the evening typically from 5:00 pm-9:30 pm Monday-Friday. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Fall semester in order to apply for the upcoming Fall semester. Once accepted and enrolled into the Respiratory Therapy program,students are required to maintain a grade of B- in all Respiratory Therapy course. If a student does not meet the minimum grade requirements, the student may retake the course one time. Failure to meet the minimum grade requirement in either didactic or clinical will require a repeat of both courses concurrently. If a student is dismissed from the program and wishes to return, they will need to reapply to the Respiratory Therapy program. Attendance is mandatory.