Respiratory Therapy, Associate in Applied Science (RESP)
Effective: Fall 2018
Closed: Summer 2023
Note: This program is not currently accepting new students.
The mission of the Delaware County Community College/Crozer-Chester Medical Center Entry-Level Respiratory Therapy Program is to provide a curriculum where students can develop the competencies and skills essential to deliver safe, effective respiratory care in a variety of health care settings. The Respiratory Therapy curriculum prepares allied health specialists for the management, treatment, testing and care of patients with breathing abnormalities.
Upon completion of the two-year program with a grade of “C” or better in all respiratory therapy courses the degree of associate in applied science is awarded. The graduate is immediately eligible for the Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, the graduate is eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Exam. When both sections are successfully completed, the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential is awarded. These exams are administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
After completion of the A.A.S. in Respiratory Therapy, it is highly recommended that graduates continue their education at a 4-year college or university to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. There are several local universities which will accept transfer of Respiratory Therapy credits. Please contact the Transfer office at Delaware County Community College for more details.
An Associate in Applied Science will be awarded upon completion of the program with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing (AHESN) courses.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
All Respiratory Therapy applicants are required to submit a “Criminal History Record Information Report,” including FBI, Pennsylvania, state of residence and Child abuse clearance. A positive criminal history report may prevent a graduate from obtaining a Pennsylvania license from the Department of Medicine which is necessary to practice in the field of Respiratory Care.
All Respiratory Therapy students will need to have on file in the Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing Department the results of a complete physical examination including: laboratory tests, a complete blood count, a 10 panel drug screen, serology and a two-step Mantoux PPD. Additionally, these students must have personal medical health insurance and be in compliance with recommendations for the Hepatitis B vaccine. Certain manual dexterity and sensory skills are necessary for successful completion of the Respiratory Therapy program. Health problems that can interfere with the applicant’s ability to demonstrate achievement of program competencies are considered individually.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Students must progress through the curriculum in sequence. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 to remain in the program. Credits for BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 151 Human Anatomy and Physiology II must be current within five academic years of the date of beginning the program.
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 151 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ENG 100 | English Composition I | 3 |
| CHE 110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
Students who fail or withdraw from a respiratory therapy course and wish to repeat said course must have a GPA of 2.5. Due to the sequential nature of the program, the student must petition for readmission to the program or a Respiratory Therapy course through the Respiratory Therapy department at Crozer-Chester Medical Center (not the College Admission Office). Readmission to the program is on a space available basis and only possible if the student can graduate within two years of his/her initial class graduation. If a student is granted reentry into the program at his/her exit point, an objective evaluation will be used to determine if the placement of the student within the curriculum is appropriate. If a student will be re-entering the program in the summer, or in the second year of the program, the student will be required to register for and audit the prior clinical course to refresh their clinical skills. Upon readmission to the program, the student must complete the program within two years following the graduation date of his/her initial class.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine reserves the right to deny a license to any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or any offense under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. 780-101 - 780-144) or of an offense under the statutes of another jurisdiction which, if committed in Pennsylvania, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless at least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction and the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates that he/she has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation.
Students who have been convicted of a prohibitive offense contained in Act 13 and/or ACT 169 (detailed list available for review in the Admissions and Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing offices) may not be able to complete their studies because clinical experiences needed for the program success may be prohibited. If a student cannot complete their clinical studies, they will not be accepted into the Respiratory Therapy Program.
In addition to normal tuition and fees, respiratory therapy students are required to purchase uniforms, personal health insurance and other miscellaneous supplies necessary for the clinical experience.
- Administer therapeutic medical gases.
- Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Provide appropriate mechanical assistance to support respiration when necessary.
- Administer drugs that are given through inhalation procedures.
- Maintain all equipment used in respiratory support.
- Perform diagnostic pulmonary function testing and blood-gas analysis.
- Exercise judgment and accept responsibility in therapeutic procedures based on observation of patients and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and clinical medicine.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 100 | English Composition I | 3 |
| CHE 110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Algebra | ||
| Business Precalculus | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Hours | 10-11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| RTH 110 | Respiratory Therapy Principles and Practicum I | 8 |
| BIO 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| COMM 100 or COMM 111 | Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| RTH 102 | Respiratory Therapy Principles II | 2 |
| RTH 103 | Respiratory Therapy Practicum II | 6 |
| BIO 151 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Any Diversity and Social Justice and Global Understanding designated course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| RTH 104 | Respiratory Therapy Summer Clinical I | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| RTH 105 | Respiratory Therapy Summer Clinical II | 5 |
| AHM 220 | Applied Microbiology | 1 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| RTH 200 | Respiratory Therapy Principles III | 3 |
| RTH 201 | Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum III | 6 |
| RTH 204 | Pulmonary Pathophysiology Clinical Rounds I | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| RTH 202 | Respiratory Therapy Principles IV | 3 |
| RTH 203 | Respiratory Therapy Practicum IV | 6 |
| RTH 205 | Pulmonary Pathophysiology Clinical Rounds II | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| RTH 206 | Respiratory Therapy Summer Clinical III | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 77-78 | |
Notes
Diversity and Social Justice and Global Understanding designated courses.
The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
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.
The program reference number is 200088.
The website is www.coarc.com
To view the accreditation data, please follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/