Oct 10, 2024  
Catalog 2023-2024 
    
Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Respiratory Therapist Associate of Applied Science Degree

Location(s): In Person


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Program Overview

Major ID: 063A (623A)

Program Start Dates: Fall

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) provide care and treatment for cardiac and pulmonary issues. Practitioners perform diagnostic tests, administer medical gas therapy, access and record patient emulations and implement care for acute and chronically ill patients. They provide mechanical ventilation, therapeutic procedures, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Laboratory procedures include pulmonary function testing; sleep study, arterial blood gas draw and analysis, hemodynamic measurements and radiologic evaluation.

Preparation best suited for this program includes excellent reading skills, biology, chemistry and physics. The goal of the program is 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 (RRT). Upon completion of the program the student is eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice Examination (TMC). Students who pass at the low-cut score earn the credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and are eligible for licensure in the state of Minnesota. Students who pass at the high-cut score are eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Upon successful completion of the CSE, the graduate will be awarded the credentials of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Technical Standards

All Respiratory Care students are required to meet definite standards for the profession and for clinical performance. The following are specific requirements of all students:

  1. Ability to stand, sit, walk, push and squat.
  2. Ability to lift and /or carry 25 pounds.
  3. Ability to reach in forward, lateral, and overhead motions.
  4. Ability to climb stairs.
  5. Ability to distinguish distance, colors, objects, and persons.
  6. Demonstrate depth perception.
  7. Ability to hear conversations, monitor equipment, perform auscultation, use telephone and distinguish background noise.
  8. Ability to distinguish sharp/dull and hot/ cold.
  9. Perform fine and gross motor skills with both hands. 

Career Opportunities

Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population, a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease. Respiratory Therapists are employed by hospitals, clinics or laboratories and home care agencies. Graduates may find employment through contacts made during the clinical training experiences and employment requests received by the instructional staff.

Program Outcomes

  1. Graduates demonstrated knowledge and skills in Respiratory Therapy clinical experiences.
  2. Graduates demonstrated knowledge and skills in Respiratory Therapy clinical simulations.
  3. Graduates prepared to take the National Certification Exam.
  4. Graduates prepared for employment as Respiratory Therapists.
  5. Graduates communicate effectively with the Health Care Team.

Program Faculty

Debra Kasel
debra.kasel@saintpaul.edu

Full-Time Only

Students in this program must be enrolled fulltime with a cohort of students. Technical courses are offered only during the day.

Textbook and Supply Costs

Students should expect to spend approximately $2,000, beyond the cost of tuition and fees, for books, for lab coat and other supplies. Additional costs include an ACLS, PALS, BLS course.

Application Process

In addition to completing the regular Saint Paul College application and admission process, students interested in the Respiratory Therapist program must submit a completed Application to Respiratory Therapist Major form and meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of the following required General Education courses:

BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems  
ENGL 1711 Composition 1  

CHEM 1711 Principles of Chemistry 1  - Prerequisite for Chemistry 1 is MATH 0920  or appropriate assessment score or CHEM 1700 Chemistry Concepts  

  • GPA of 3.0 or above in programmatic required prerequisite courses.

The Respiratory Therapist Admissions Committee will review each application on the basis of overall academic ability, GPA of college level courses, assessment scores, and meeting the above criteria. Notification of acceptance into the Respiratory Therapist Major will be sent by mail 6-weeks after the deadline date stated on the Application to Respiratory Therapist Major form.

The Application to Respiratory Therapist Major form is available online:https://www.saintpaul.edu/programs/Pages/respiratory-therapist.aspx

Transfer Opportunities 

Saint Paul College has transfer agreements & partnerships between many post-secondary institutions. For more information please go to saintpaul.edu/Transfer.

Program Requirements


All classes must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better.

General Education Requirements


Preliminary Courses Prior to Application


The following (3) General Education courses must be completed prior to submitting your application form for the Respiratory Therapy Major.

Total Prior to Application: 11 Credits

Additional Courses to be finished prior to Graduating


  • 1 Credits
  • COMM 17XX 3 Credits (Goal 1 only)
  • Goal 5: History, Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credits
  • Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 3 Credits (Any Goal 6 course may be counted however; PHIL 1722  Health Care Ethics is recommended)
Total Prior to Graduating: 10 Credits

General Education/Other Course Subtotal: 21 Credits


Respiratory Care Core Subtotal: 47 Credits


Course Sequence


This course sequence is required for the remaining RESP courses. Students should consult with the Program Advisor each semester. Must complete all courses with a “C” or better to go onto next semester. 

Total Semester Credits: 12


Second Semester Spring


Total Semester Credits: 14


Total Semester Credits: 5


Total Semester Credits: 15


Total Semester Credits: 11


Total Respiratory Care Core Credits: 47


Total General Education Credits: 21


Total Program Credits: 68


Saint Paul College’s Respiratory Therapist Program (200258) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
https://www.coarc.com/

264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
USA
TELEPHONE: 817-283-2835
FAX TO PLAIN PAPER: 817-354-8519
FAX TO EMAIL: 817-510-1063

Information is subject to change. This Program Requirements Guide is not a contract.

Minimum Program Entry Requirements
Students entering this program must meet the following minimum program entry requirements: 

Reading: Score of 250+ or grade of “C” or better in READ 0722  or READ 0724  or EAPP 0900  

Writing: Score of 250+ or grade of “C” or better in ENGL 0922  or EAPP 0900  

Quant. Reasoning, Algebra & Stats: Score of 250+ or Adv. Algebra & Functions: Score of 215+ or grade of “C” or better in MATH 0910  

Assessment Results and Prerequisites: Students admitted into Saint Paul College programs may need to complete additional courses based on assessment results and course prerequisite requirements. Certain MATH, READ, and ENGL courses have additional prerequisites.

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