Associate of Applied Science

Health Technology
Major: Respiratory Care

respiratory care symbol

Length: Twenty-month Program beginning in the Fall semester of each year

Purpose: To prepare selected students to qualify as integral members of the health care team, providing diagnostic testing, management, treatment and prevention of cardiopulmonary disease. Upon completion of the program, the new graduate will be eligible to take: 1) the Entry-Level Certification Examination; 2) the Written Registry and Clinical Simulation Examinations for Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioners administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their role as registered respiratory therapy practitioners.

Accreditation: This program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244); the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Program Vision: To provide the educational venue for learners to learn how best to serve in most any health environment, to appreciate his or her respective talents and skills and then appropriately apply them in the service of others, and continually be willing to learn about themselves, their patients, and the world into which they were born.

Program Missions: (1) To prepare competent respiratory care practitioners at the Entry-Level of practice, and (2) To prepare competent respiratory care practitioners at the Advanced Level of practice.

Admission Requirements: In addition to the general admission requirements for the College, entry into this program requires a high school diploma or GED. High school (or college pre-requisite) courses must include: 1) two units of mathematics (algebra I, plus one additional unit of algebra II, geometry or computer science); 2) one unit each of high school biology with laboratory and; 3) chemistry with laboratory. Physics is highly recommended. Applicants must have earned grades of no less than “C” in these courses. These courses must be completed prior to the January 15th deadline. NOTE: High school students and College students taking Chemistry in the spring term (after the 15th of January) can still apply, but will be considered at a later time.

All high school and/or college work must reflect an overall average of “C” or better, and satisfactory performance on the ASSET/Compass testing program, which includes sections of reading, writing and mathematics at the level of algebra II. The ASSET/Compass testing is required and must be completed prior to the January 15th deadline for application.

College equivalents of high school coursework are as follows: Algebra I = MTH 03; Algebra II = MTH 04; Chemistry = CHM 05; Biology = BIO 20. Students planning to transfer to senior institutions should inform their advisors early on for proper advisement of courses to take.

Students accepted into the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a duly licensed physician, physician's assistant, or registered nurse practitioner and should include: documentation of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) exposure or inoculations; documentation of Hepatitis B inoculation; chest X-ray; TB skin testing; and overall general health of the applicant. This physical examination must be completed prior to final admission into the program.

Program Requirements:

Physical Requirements: This program requires extensive walking, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, climbing stairs and lifting. Lifting requirements: up to 50 pounds (22.7 Kg); pushing requirements: up to 250 pounds (113.6 Kg); pulling requirements: up to 250 pounds (113.6 Kg). Further, extensive use of sight, hearing, and speaking is required.

Academic Requirements: Any student receiving a grade less than “C” in any of the required program courses will be placed on Programmatic Academic Probation. That course shall be remediated once, with a written contract drafted containing requirements of the remediation. Dismissal from the program shall result IF: 1) the student does not meet the requirements of the probationary contract; or 2) the student receives a final grade of less than "B" in any required program courses during or after the period of the Programmatic Academic Probation. A final grade of “F” in any required program coursework shall result in dismissal from the program. Remediated courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements: Selected and supervised student experience is required by this program and will be accomplished at selected regional health care facilities. The student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled field trips. Program faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession. If in the judgment of the Program faculty, the student does not exhibit those documented behaviors required of the respiratory care professional, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Other Requirements: The purchase of items such as uniforms, liability insurance and other accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student. Students who elect to take support courses recommended by the Program Director, and/or Director of Clinical Education prior to formal acceptance into the program will find this activity to be advantageous in subsequent course scheduling.

Criminal Background Checks/Drug Testing:
Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into some clinical agencies. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Clinical agencies may require drug testing prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive drug test results may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Cost for criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.

The Respiratory Care program is a multi-campus program, with Southwest Virginia Community College and Wytheville Community College. Southwest Virginia Community College serves as the home campus for this program.

Course
Number		 Course Title Lecture
Hours		 Lab
Hours		 Course
Credits
First Semester
NAS 161* Health Science 1 3 3 4
RTH 131 Resp. Care Theory & Procedures I 3 3 4
RTH 101 Integrated Sciences for Resp. Care 2 3 3
RTH 111 Anatomy & Physiology of the
Cardiopulmonary System		 3 0 3
SDV 108 College Survival Skills 1 0 1
TOTAL 9 0 9
         
  Second Semester      
ENG 111* College Composition I 3 0 3
NAS 162 Health Science II 3 3 4
RTH 132 Resp. Care Theory & Procedures II 3 3 4
RTH 145 Pharmacology for Resp. Care I 1 0 1
RTH 190 Coordinated Internship 0 16 4
  TOTAL 10 22 16
         
  Third Semester      
  Humanities/Fine Arts**** Elective 3 0 3
RTH 135 Diagnostic & Therapeutic Proced. I 1 3 2
RTH 112 Pathology of the Cardiopulmonary System 3 0 3
RTH 290 Coordinated Internship 0 16 4
  Total 7 19 12
         
Fourth Semester
HLT 145 Ethics for Health Care Personnel 2 0 2
PSY 231 Life Span Human Development I 3 0 3
RTH 190 Coordinated Internship 0 8 2
RTH 290 Coordinated Internship 0 8 2
SOC 200 Principles to Sociology 3 0 3
  TOTAL 8 16 12
Fifth Semester
RTH 215 Pulmonary Rehabilitation 1 0 1
RTH 223 Cardiopulmonary Science III 2 0 2
RTH 226 Theory of Neonatal & Pediatric
Respiratory Care		 2 0 2
RTH 245 Pharmacology for Resp. Care II 2 0 2
RTH 254 Advanced Clinical Pro. IV 0 16 4
RTH 265 Current Issues in Resp. Care 2 0 2
RTH 267 12-lead EKG Diagnostics 3 0 3
TOTAL 12 16 16

Total Minimum Credits for Respiratory Care Major 71

* Students wishing to pursue a Baccalaureate degree should take BIO 141-142.
** Students who do not wish to pursue a Baccalaureate degree may substitute ENG 101.
*** Students wishing to pursue a Baccalaureate Degree, may substitute ENG 112.
**** Humanities/Fine Arts: Students may choose from the following courses: Philosophy, Religion, Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, and Foreign Languages.