Associate of Applied Science | 70 credits
Nursing Division
Jordan Campus JHS 108D
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-6319
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising
Program Faculty
Assistant Professor/Program Director - Crissi Stokes
Program Description
The Respiratory Therapy program is a selective admission program that takes four semesters to complete once accepted. It is recommended that the student declare a Pre-Medical & Health Sciences Major prior to applying to the program. Successful completion entitles the student to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy and eligibility to sit for the Therapist Multiple Choice Registered Respiratory Therapist board exams.
Career Opportunities
Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, provide treatment, evaluation, monitoring and management of patients with breathing disorders or cardiovascular problems. Respiratory therapists administer oxygen, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, manage mechanical ventilators, administer medications, monitor cardiopulmonary systems and measure lung function. Respiratory therapists treat all types of patients: premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed, elderly patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care for heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock. Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to provide direct care to children and adults, including delivery of oxygen, administration of aerosolized drugs, endotracheal intubation, suctioning, management of life support, weaning of ventilation or life support, insertion of arterial lines, management of tracheostomies, and drawing and interpretation of arterial blood gas samples.
Work settings include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term acute care facilities, and home health agencies.
Transfer/Articulation Information
For transfer/articulation information, please see the School of Health Sciences website or this program’s advisor.
Estimated Cost for Students
Current tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $820.00
Supplies: $50.00
Course Fees: $250.00
Total Costs: $1,120.00
Estimated Time to Completion
Students will follow the program semester schedule. Once admitted, the program is completed in four semesters (Fall, Spring, Fall, Spring).
Program Entry Requirements
GENERAL ADMISSIONS PROCESS
- Be admitted to SLCC as a matriculated student. See http://www.slcc.edu/apply/index.aspx and declare your major as Pre- Medical & Health Sciences.
- High School Graduate or equivalent.
- For transfer credit, submit OFFICIAL, SEALED transcripts for ALL colleges and universities where prerequisite course work has been completed.
Send to:
SLCC Office of the Registrar and Academic Records
4600 South Redwood Road
P.O. Box 30808
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808.
- Also, a request to have an OFFICIAL evaluation of student’s transcript(s) must be submitted to the SLCC Transfer Evaluation Office. The form is located at: http://www.slcc.edu/transcriptevaluation/. This process may take 4-6 weeks and must be completed before a student’s application will be considered.
- Complete the SLCC placement process, or submit current SAT/ACT test scores, if MATH and ENGL course work have not been transferred to SLCC (required before you are able to register for classes that have MATH and ENGL courses as prerequisites). See: www.slcc.edu/testing.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM SELECTIVE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Program course prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better. AP Credit: Please see the Respiratory Therapy program academic advisor with questions regarding AP credit. Program course prerequisites are as follows:
NOTE The Respiratory Therapy program has both priority and final deadlines. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the final application deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of other prerequisite classes. Those prerequisites must be satisfied before the designated program prerequisite course may be taken.
NOTE BIOL 1610 / BIOL 1615 , although not required for the program, is a required pre-requisite for BIOL 2320 / BIOL 2325 and BIOL 2420 / BIOL 2425 . Students taking BIOL 2320 / BIOL 2325 or BIOL 2420 / BIOL 2425 will be required to complete BIOL 1610 / BIOL 1615 .
NOTE CHEM 1110 is a required pre-requisite for BIOL 2420 / BIOL 2425 . Students transferring in with Human Physiology completed, CHEM 1010 is accepted.
NOTE If student transfers to SLCC with BIOL 2420 / BIOL 2425 it will only be accepted to meet program requirements if it has been completed within seven years prior to application to the program.
- See the Respiratory Therapy webpage for essential information regarding completion of application and additional requirements at http://www.slcc.edu/respiratory-therapy/admissions.aspx. Applicants are selected on a merit based/competitive admission process. Application does not guarantee admission.
- HESI Pre-admission exam - A minimum score of 75% in each area tested is required for consideration for admission to the program with the exception of the critical thinking section, which requires a minimum score of 70%. However, this does not guarantee admission into the program. Please see the Respiratory Therapy program academic advisor with questions.
- Must be at least 18 years of age at time of entry in the program.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students admitted into the program will be required to purchase a COMPLIO (American DataBank) Compliance Package and submit the following in COMPLIO:
- Proof of all required program immunizations or proof of immunity.
- Proof of successful completion of CPR (American Heart Association Two-Year BLS Provider).
- Certification must not expire while in program.
- Purchase and complete background check through SLCC’s authorized vendor (American DataBank). Failure to pass background check may result in program dismissal.
- Upon notification, purchase and complete drug screening through SLCC’s authorized vendor. Failure to pass drug screen may result in program dismissal. Students are not to purchase drug screening until notified.
- Students are fiscally responsible for complying with requirements specific to working in clinical settings. The following costs are estimates only for planning. Actual cost and frequency are determined by vendors and specific clinical facilities. Estimated costs include:
- Background check - $30
- Drug Screen Package - $35
- Compliance Package - $15/yr
- Immunizations (Cost varies considerably based on insurance coverage, past vaccinations, and personal immunity)
- In addition, it will be the responsibility of the student to contact the national licensing board; the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) and seek advice regarding eligibility for licensure and requirements needed to progress in this profession if the criminal background check discloses issues of concern.
Specialized Program Accreditation
The Respiratory Therapy program, 200630, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Salt Lake Community College, Jordan Campus holds provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practices as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy program, you should have the skills and knowledge needed for board exams; TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) exam (entry level), WRRT and/or CSE exam(s) (Registered Respiratory Therapist). Exams are administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Listed exams are required for employment, along with licensure to practice respiratory therapy.
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.
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Program Student Learning Outcomes
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Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
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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
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Demonstrate basic cardiopulmonary knowledge in respiratory care.
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
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Demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical skills in the practice of respiratory care.
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2, 4, 5, 6
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Demonstrate critical thinking skills in respiratory care.
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice Self-Assessment Examination (TMC-SAE) and NBRC Clinical Simulation Self-Assessment Examination (CSE-SAE) exams to achieve graduation.
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1, 3, 4, 7
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Qualify to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam.
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1, 5, 6
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