Respiratory Care, A.A.S. - RES3
The respiratory care practitioner is trained to assist the medical staff with the treatment, management and care of patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities or deficiencies. Respiratory care is used primarily in the treatment of heart and lung diseases such as cardiac failure, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and shock.
With instruction in anatomy and physiology, respiratory physics, pharmacology and clinical training the graduate of this program is prepared to provide care in various medical facilities.
Proficiency in all aspects of respiratory care, including diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic applications, prepares the student to take the entry and advanced level exam. The graduate will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science with a major in Respiratory Care.
Admission: Acceptance into Piedmont Technical College’s RES program (Phase II) is competitive and is limited to 22 students to begin fall semester. See the college calendar or website for application dates. To become eligible for entry into Phase II of the Respiratory Care program, applicants must complete the following:
- Phase I consists of 20 hours of general education courses which may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, or transferred in from other colleges. They are BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II, ENG 101 English Composition I, MAT 110 College Algebra or MAT 120 Probability and Statistics, PSY 201 General Psychology, and a Humanities elective.
- Minimum grade point average for the above courses of 3.0. A grade point average calculator can be found under the Application and Advising tab.
- Completion of TEAS test in reading and math.
Students are required to maintain a current American Heart Association “Basic Life Support” certification throughout the major studies courses.
For more information, please see the Health Care Division Handbook.
Phase II Courses: Completion of the Associate in Applied Science with a major in Respiratory Care requires five (5) semesters upon acceptance to the Phase II coursework.
Requirements
| Courses | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| BIO 210 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 211 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 120 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or MAT 110 | College Algebra | |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 20 | |
| Required Core Subject Areas | ||
| RES 101 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RES 111 | Pathophysiology | 2 |
| RES 121 | Respiratory Skills I | 4 |
| RES 123 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 |
| RES 131 | Respiratory Skills II | 4 |
| RES 141 | Respiratory Skills III | 3 |
| RES 151 | Clinical Applications I | 5 |
| RES 152 | Clinical Applications II | 3 |
| RES 160 | Clinical I | 1 |
| RES 204 | Neonatal/Pediatric Care | 3 |
| RES 206 | Respiratory Care for the Gerontological Patient | 2 |
| RES 207 | Management in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RES 232 | Respiratory Therapeutics | 2 |
| RES 244 | Advanced Respiratory Skills I | 4 |
| RES 245 | Advanced Respiratory Skills II | 2 |
| RES 246 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 |
| RES 249 | Comprehensive Applications | 2 |
| RES 251 | Clinical Applications III | 8 |
| RES 255 | Clinical Practice | 5 |
| Subtotal | 60 | |
| Total Hours | 80 | |
Graduation Plan
Enrollment in clinical coursework requires admission to the program. See Application and Advising section for more information.
Fall Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| BIO 210 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 120 or MAT 110 |
Probability and Statistics or College Algebra |
3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 211 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| RES 101 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RES 121 | Respiratory Skills I | 4 |
| RES 123 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 |
| RES 160 | Clinical I | 1 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| RES 111 | Pathophysiology | 2 |
| RES 131 | Respiratory Skills II | 4 |
| RES 151 | Clinical Applications I | 5 |
| RES 246 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| RES 141 | Respiratory Skills III | 3 |
| RES 152 | Clinical Applications II | 3 |
| RES 204 | Neonatal/Pediatric Care | 3 |
| RES 206 | Respiratory Care for the Gerontological Patient | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| RES 232 | Respiratory Therapeutics | 2 |
| RES 244 | Advanced Respiratory Skills I | 4 |
| RES 245 | Advanced Respiratory Skills II | 2 |
| RES 255 | Clinical Practice | 5 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| RES 207 | Management in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RES 249 | Comprehensive Applications | 2 |
| RES 251 | Clinical Applications III | 8 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 80 | |
Application Process
This is a limited enrollment program that has special admissions requirements. These requirements must be completed before you can be accepted.
If you are a new student, there are three key steps to complete before entering the program:
- Step 1: Apply to the college and complete the enrollment process
- Step 2: Take the necessary courses and testing (if required) to become Program-Ready
- Step 3: Apply to the program
Are you Program-Ready?
Before applying for program entry, be sure you meet the requirements for acceptance. Start by connecting with an advisor and review program requirements.
We've also provided the resources below to assist you with the program acceptance process.
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheets are designed for students and advisors to review program-specific requirements and program application procedures. Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic goals and progress, and to develop your individualized degree plan.
GPA Calculator
There are minimum GPA requirements for program-ready coursework. The Program-Ready GPA Calculator can be used to calculate your GPA.
Application Worksheet
The application worksheet is used to calculate points toward competitive program entry.
TEAS Testing
Candidates for entry into the Respiratory Care program must take the TEAS test. When you are eligible for entry into the program, you must complete testing before starting the application process.
Health Care Program Acceptance Data
These are NOT the scores required to be accepted. These are scores from past applicants that were accepted. Since the applicant pool changes each time, there is no way to predict how high the application points need to be for acceptance into the program.
Guided Pathways
Guided Pathways are designed to assist students in scheduling the order of courses to become program-ready or to complete the Health Care Certificate for their desired program.
Health Care FAQ
We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
Apply to the Program
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to become program ready, it’s time to apply to the program.
Applications are accepted for the fall entry into college healthcare programs on the following schedule:
- Application Dates - May 1-16
- Notification of Program Acceptance Emails Sent - Mid June*
Program applications must be submitted during the scheduled dates for this program to be considered.
Note: If you haven't already done so, you must apply to the college before completing the program application.
Complete The Program Application
* Students accepted into any Healthcare program will be required to attend a program orientation. Accepted students will NOT be excused from attending this mandatory orientation.
Current Student Program Resources
Respiratory Care Handbook
Health Care Division Handbook
This handbook is designed to be utilized in conjunction with the PTC Academic Catalog, PTC Student Calendar and Handbook and PTC Health Care webpages. Please refer to them for additional information.
Health Care FAQ
We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
Health Care Readmission
Health Care readmission students who fail or withdraw from a Health Care curriculum class must complete and submit a readmission application in order to be considered for readmission.
Accreditation Information
The Respiratory Care program is accredited by:
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
(817) 283-2835
www.coarc.com
Student/graduate outcomes can be accessed on the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care website.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Purpose Statement
The mission of the Piedmont Technical College Respiratory Care Program is to provide our students with a solid foundation in current respiratory care theory and practice and with the skills necessary for them to become contributing members of the profession. It is the goal of this program 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). We strive to create a supportive learning environment which fosters initiative, critical thinking, self-discipline, compassion, and instills a strong appreciation of ethical values and human diversity. Utilizing the standards established by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), the established curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be outstanding patient care providers.
The Respiratory Care Program faculty believes in the importance of providing a learner-centered program that is committed to excellence and public engagement of their students, faculty, and staff. The program provides leadership for the improved respiratory health of people in the community through excellence in education, public service, and clinical practice.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Provide proper patient care.
- Prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by respiratory therapists (RRTs).
- Perform routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures common to the respiratory care profession.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, function, and pathophysiology of the pulmonary and cardiovascular system.
- Apply medical ethics and law specific to the practice of respiratory care.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Exam (TMCE).
- Practice proper and patient specific, emergency care.