The Respiratory Care Program exists to prepare students as competent advanced level respiratory therapists within a learning-centered environment so that the development of critical thinking, an appreciation of global diversity and the capacity for life-learning occurs.

All applicants accepted to Rhodes State College must be able to meet the technical standards of the program of study for which they enroll. Students are asked to review the standards and to sign a form certifying that they have read, understand, and are able to meet the standards listed here.

Respiratory Care practitioners are members of the health care team who provide respiratory care for patients with heart and lung disorders, under the direction of licensed physicians.

The scope of practice of a respiratory care practitioner includes: general care, neonatal critical care, pediatric critical care, adult trauma care, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, home care, education and research. Most respiratory care practitioners are employed in hospitals, which operate 24 hours a day. Increasingly, there are career opportunities in nursing homes, medical sales, with medical equipment supply companies, in home health agencies, and in physicians= offices.

The percentage rate of graduates who have been employed in the respiratory field has been extremely high. Many students have been employed part-time in area hospitals while they complete their associate degree. Starting salaries at area hospitals range from $32,000 to $37,000. These salaries do not include shift or weekend differential.

Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, because of substantial growth in numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population-a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.

Once you enter the profession, you may want to specialize in an area such as neonatal care, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, helicopter transport, critical care, rehabilitation, education, or management.

In addition to the general admission requirements for all students, the following specific requirements have been established for Respiratory Care applicants:

1. American College Test (ACT) composite score of 21 or higher; individual test scores of 20 or higher in mathematics and natural science; 18 or higher in English and social science or other appropriate test scores/developmental coursework.
   
2. A minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) for any previous college course work at the time of selection and matriculation.
   
3. Must have basic computer skills prior to admission to the program. This can be satisfied through successful completion of the MTC Technology Skills Test.
   Requirements 4 and 5 must be met by the time of enrollment in the first Respiratory Care course.
   
4. A 20-hour experience with a respiratory care practitioner in a hospital of the applicants choice. Appointments are made by the applicant with the hospitals department.
   
5. A satisfactory interview with the Respiratory Care program chairman or director of clinical education.
   Requirements 6 and 7 must be met by the time of enrollment in the first Respiratory Care Clinical course.
   
6. Results of a physical examination including laboratory tests and completion of required immunizations before actual clinical course work can be started. The Respiratory Care program also has technical standards for which all students must be capable. These standards specify skills necessary to participate in learning activities and professional practice.
   
7. Successful completion of an American Heart Association, BLS, Health Care Provider, CPR course prior to clinical course work. Must be maintained through to graduation.

Please Note: See your MTC academic advisor for additional course requirements information.