Respiratory Therapist
Program Goals & Outcomes
Respiratory Therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing due to chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients who have diseased lungs. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, trauma, or shock. Visit What is a Respiratory Therapist for more information.
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Exhibit professional behavior in healthcare environments;
- Evaluate clinical data for patient care;
- Apply clinical data to develop a treatment plan; and
- Perform appropriate respiratory therapy treatments.
Program graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams. Licensure to practice respiratory care in the State of Oklahoma requires the graduate to obtain the Certified Respiratory Therapist Credential (CRT) from the NBRC.
Students must complete all sciences listed under General Education and all Program Requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in each course to receive the Associate of Applied Science Degree.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (31 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in all General Education courses to be eligible for graduation.
English Composition (6 hours)
- ENGL 1113 English Composition I+
- ENGL 1213 English Composition II+
U.S. History/U.S. Government (6 hours)
- HIST 1483 U.S. History to 1877
or HIST 1493 U.S. History Since 1877 - POLS 1113 American Federal Government
Sciences (16 hours)
- BIOL 2424 Human Physiology+ ++
- CHEM 1114 Introductory Chemistry+ ++
- HSBC 1224 Introduction to Clinical Microbiology++
- HSBC 2114 Human Anatomy+ ++
Liberal Arts (3 hours)
- PSYC 1113 Introduction to Psychology
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (39 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses to be eligible for graduation.
- HSRT 2103 Pulmonary Diagnostics+
- HSRT 2114 Respiratory Therapy Procedures I+
- HSRT 2202 Respiratory Therapy Procedures II+
- HSRT 2211 Ethics & Health Care Systems for Respiratory Care Practitioners
- HSRT 2213 Mechanical Ventilation+
- HSRT 2221 Introduction to Clinic+
- HSRT 2224 Respiratory Therapy Clinic Practice I+
- HSRT 2233 Respiratory Physiology+
- HSRT 2242 Respiratory Pharmacology+
- HSRT 2324 Respiratory Therapy Clinic Practice II+
- HSRT 2333 Respiratory Pathology+
- HSRT 2334 Respiratory Therapy Clinic Practice III+
- HSRT 2342 Respiratory Therapy Critical Care+
- HSRT 2353 Pediatric Respiratory Care+
SUPPORT & RELATED REQUIREMENTS (3 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better to be eligible for graduation.
- HSBC 1113 Medical Terminology++
+Check course description for prerequisites that must be met.
++Courses must be taken no more than 7 years before entering the program.
Suggested Order of Enrollment
Consult with the Health Sciences division advisor each semester to verify that selected courses will fulfill degree requirements. Check the College Catalog and/or class schedule for course offering specifics. The “+” symbol represents a prerequisite for the course. Any course offering is subject to change without notice.
Pre-Program Admission Prerequisites—
| Pre-Program Admission Prerequisites—
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Pre-Program Admission Prerequisites—3rd Semester
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Program Requirements—Fall
| Program Requirements—Spring
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Program Requirements—Summer
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Further Education
Rose State College is happy to have a partnership with Midwestern State University, allowing students to enroll in MSU’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Online Completion Program.
Students are encouraged to meet with a Health Sciences advisor each semester to stay on track for program application.
Admission to the Respiratory Therapist program is by special application, with entry only in the fall. The application period is from February 1 to May 15. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 15; late submissions will not be accepted.
Steps to Apply
Apply to Rose State College (if not already enrolled)
- Applicants must be admitted before applying to the program.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended to the Admissions office.
- Request a degree audit (required if you have out-of-state credits) at Degree Audit Request.
Submit Respiratory Therapist Application
- No need to submit transcripts or Accuplacer scores unless transcripts haven’t been received or you took Accuplacer tests elsewhere.
- For Accuplacer information, visit Accuplacer Testing.
Attend Mandatory Orientation
- Orientation is held after the application period. The date will be provided in the application packet.
Selection Process
- Twenty-two students are selected annually based on a point scale. Applicants are ranked numerically, and those with the highest scores are chosen.
- Applicants will be notified of their admission status by mail after June 1.
Program Selection Criteria
- A total of 100 points are possible. The minimum required for acceptance varies based on applicant pool competitiveness.
| General Education GPA ENGL 1113 English Comp I ENGL 1213 English Comp II HIST 1483 US History to 1877 (or) HIST 1493 History since 1877 POLS 113 American Federal Government PSYC 1113 Introduction to Psychology | GPA 2.50-2.99 | POINTS 10 |
| Support and Related Courses GPA HSBC 1113 Medical Terminology HSBC 2114 Human Anatomy CHEM 1114 Introductory Chemistry BIOL 2424 Human Physiology HSBC 1224 Intro to Clinical Microbiology | GPA 3.60-4.00 3.00-3.59 2.50-2.99 2.00-2.49 <2.00 | POINTS 30 25 20 15 Not eligible |
| ACCUPLACER-Pre-Algebra (Math 1) | SCORE 281-300 266-280 250-265 <250 | POINTS 12 8 4 Not eligible |
| ACCUPLACER-Reading | SCORE 281-300 266-280 250-265 <250 | POINTS 9 6 3 Not eligible |
| ACCUPLACER-Writing | SCORE 281-300 266-280 250-265 <250 | POINTS 9 6 3 Not eligible |
| Healthcare Experience (Choose one only, Maximum of 6 points) One year or more of direct patient care One year or more of related medical experience >1 year in medical profession, medical volunteer experience, respiratory shadowing | POINTS 6 4 2 |
| Prior Education (Choose one only, Maximum of 6 points) Master’s or Bachelor’s degree Associate degree or Medical Certificate | POINTS 6 3 |
| Completed (with “C” or higher) by End of Application Period Human Physiology | POINTS 3 |
| Mandatory Orientation Session (scheduled before application deadline) | POINTS 5 |
Mental and Physical Qualifications
The following minimal physical and mental qualifications are necessary to be considered for admission into, and progression through, the Rose State College Respiratory Therapist program:
- The ability to lift/carry up to 40 pounds and the ability to push/pull up to 200 pounds.
- The ability to move around in clients’ rooms and in work areas.
- The ability to stand/walk two-thirds of the time for the assigned shift (8 or 12 hours).
- Visual acuity sufficient to observe and assess client behavior, prepare and administer medications, and accurately read monitors.
- Auditory acuity sufficient to hear instructions, requests, and monitoring alarms, and to auscultate heart tones and breath sounds.
- The motor ability necessary to manipulate equipment and supplies, and to utilize palpation and percussion in client assessment.
- The ability to speak, write, and comprehend the English language proficiently.
- The ability to communicate in a professional manner and establish rapport with clients and colleagues.
- The ability to think critically and use problem-solving skills.
- The ability to resolve conflicts appropriately and function effectively in stressful situations.
Rose State College will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, enabling them to access educational programs and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations should submit their initial request for accommodations to the Disability Services Office, located in LRC Room 125, or call (405) 733-7407. See the current RSC Student Handbook for further details.
Requirements Upon Acceptance
Students are not to provide this information in their application packet. Program acceptance letters will provide detailed information about these processes, as well as any additional requirements.
Background check
Clinical affiliates require students to have an expanded background check. Students will be responsible for the cost of the background check, which is approximately $49.00.
Note: these background checks and drug tests may be required by potential employers.
Drug Testing
Prior to beginning a Health Sciences Division program, students who have been conditionally accepted to the program will be required to complete a NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) Panel 10 drug test to screen for amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, PCP and opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone. This drug testing is required by health care agencies serving as clinical education sites. A positive drug test result may prevent a student from completing the program clinical courses, and prevent admission to a program. The student will be responsible for the cost and completion of the drug test through a specified drug-testing laboratory. Cost of the test will be approximately $35.00 but may be subject to change before the actual testing period. A letter will be mailed to conditionally accepted program students with information on the designated drug testing laboratory and the testing deadline. Drug testing results will be maintained at the College in the strictest confidentiality, in a secure location.
Health Documentation
After acceptance into the Program, the student must provide acceptable documentation of the following:
- Two (2) MMR vaccinations – If no immunization records are available, positive titers for mumps, rubella, and rubeola are required. If titers are not positive, vaccinations will be required.
- Two (2) Varicella vaccinations OR varicella titer demonstrating immunity
- A signed declination, OR documentation of three shots of Hepatitis B vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine consists of three (3) shots over a six (6) month period. A positive Hepatitis B titer will also be accepted.
- TB skin testing indicating negative findings. Two separate negative skin tests must be completed at least one week apart, but no more than one year apart.
- TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine given no more than 10 years prior to admission.
- Influenza vaccine will be required when available (September or October)
- Covid 19 Vaccination(s)- either 2 vaccinations or 1 Bivalent vaccination
Current certification for the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course.
- Two (2) negative TB skin tests, given within the last 12-month period OR
- Documented Positive TB test with documented negative chest x-ray, an annual review of symptoms, and release for public contact from the Health Department. (Not the patient’s physician)
By waiting until July 29, you will not need to repeat while you are a program student.
Career Information
Respiratory therapists are trained healthcare professionals who utilize their knowledge to assist with breathing and lung-related issues. They are responsible for providing all types of respiratory care and are qualified to handle a variety of tasks related to patient care. While they work under the supervision of a doctor, they often need to make important decisions independently to ensure the best care for their patients.
The role of a respiratory therapist can vary depending on where they work, but some of their main duties include:
- Reviewing patient data and performing physical checks to decide if the prescribed treatments are appropriate.
- Helping to create a care plan for each patient.
- Setting up and checking the equipment used in respiratory care.
- Performing treatment procedures and adjusting them as needed to meet patient goals.
- Keeping detailed patient records and sharing important information with other healthcare team members.
- Assisting doctors with special procedures in places like labs, procedure rooms, or operating rooms.
Visit Salary.com to learn more about the salaries of respiratory therapists in Oklahoma City.
Respiratory Therapist Program Application for Admission
Students must earn a “C” or better in all courses to be eligible for graduation. Prerequisite courses may be in progress during the application period and summer session, but must be completed prior to beginning the program’s professional courses. Admission to the program is contingent on a grade of “C” or higher on courses being completed in the spring and summer semesters.
All program courses (HSRT) from the prior semester must be completed with a “C” or better to progress to the next semester. Failure to attain the minimum grade in HSRT program courses will result in a “stop-out” and require readmission to the program. Readmission will be based on space availability. Students may be readmitted only once.
Students are strongly encouraged to speak with a Health Sciences advisor every semester to help stay on track and be prepared to apply.
Pre-Requisite General Education & Support/Related Courses
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE NAME |
ENGL 1113 | English Composition I |
ENGL 1213 | English Composition II+ |
HIST 1483 | US History to 1877 OR |
HIST 1493 | US History Since 1877 |
POLS 1113 | American Federal Government |
HSBC 1113 | Medical Terminology |
PSYC 1113 | Intro to Psychology |
HSBC 1224 | Intro to Clinical Microbiology* |
HSBC 2114 | Human Anatomy+* |
CHEM 1114 | Introductory Chemistry+* |
BIOL 2424 | Human Physiology+* |
+Check course description for prerequisite that must be met
*Science courses must be completed within seven years before entering the program
Professional Courses
First (Fall) Semester (17 credit hours)
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE NAME |
HSRT 2211 | Ethics & Health Care Systems |
HSRT 2221 | Introduction to Clinic |
HSRT 2221 | Resp Therapy Proc I |
HSRT 2333 | Resp Physiolog |
HSRT 2242 | Resp Pharmacology |
HSRT 2333 | Resp Pathology |
HSRT 2103 | Pulmonary Diagnostics |
Second (Spring) Semester (14 credit hours)
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE NAME |
| HSRT 2202 | Respiratory Clini Proc II |
| HSRT 2224 | Respiratory Clinic Prac I |
| HSRT 2342 | Respiratory Therapy Critical Care |
| HSRT 2353 | Pediatric Respiratory Care |
| HSRT 2213 | Mechanical Ventilation |
Third (Summer) Semester (8 credit hours)
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE NAME |
| HSRT 2324 | Respiratory Therapy Clinic Prac II |
| HSRT 2334 | Respiratory Therapy Clinic Prac III |
Clinicals
Rose State College has affiliation agreements with 17 clinical sites, providing students with exposure to a wide variety of patient populations and clinical experiences. These sites are spread throughout the metro and include, but are not limited to: Integris, Mercy, Oklahoma Heart Hospital, SSM Health St. Anthony.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Students should be aware that they may not get to choose which site they will be visiting.
Fall Semester Rotation
Purpose
The fall semester clinical rotation enables students to experience direct patient contact under the supervision of a staff respiratory therapist (clinical instructor) at all times. All students will be assigned two eight-hour day shifts at a clinical site. These sessions are scheduled on Fridays during the second eight weeks of the fall semester, from mid-October to December.
Procedures to Perform
The students have demonstrated competency in the lab and will be allowed to perform with assistance the following procedures:
- Physical assessment, to include vital signs and chest auscultation
- Small volumn nebulizer
- Pulse oximetry
- Oxygen administration
All procedures must be performed under direct supervision.
Spring Rotation — Clinic Practicum I
Purpose
The Clinic I Rotation is designed to allow students to perform treatment modalities with noncritical care patients. The students will attend clinic rotation on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30am to 3:00pm.
Procedures to Perform
The students have demonstrated competency in the lab and will be expected to gain experience on the following procedures:
- Oxygen administration
- Aerosolized medication delivery via SVN, MDI & DPI
- IPPB
- Incentive Spirometry
- Chest physiotherapy
- Pulse oximetry
- NT suctioning
- Tracheal suctioning*
- Tracheostomy care*
- Trach changeout*
- Mucus clearance devices
- Bedside spirometry
- PFT (diffusion, body plethysmography, nitrogen washout, clinical spirometry)
* Stable trach patients only
All procedures must be performed with supervision until the student demonstrates competency at a clinical site.
Clinic Competencies
Students must complete Data Arc competencies on all procedures performed during the Clinic I rotation. The purpose of this competency is to verify students’ ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information, including the ability to demonstrate technical proficiency in the necessary skills. Each competency follows the same format: equipment and patient preparation, patient evaluation, implementation of procedure, follow-up, demonstrates knowledge of fundamental concepts, and clinical competency performance criteria. As a clinical instructor, you may be asked to complete a competency evaluation for the student. This involves a review of the competency prior to the process, a summative evaluation (satisfactory, minor unsatisfactory, or major unsatisfactory), signature, facility, and date. The list of competencies to be completed is the same as the list of procedures the student will perform during the Clinic I rotation.
Clinic Practicum I Objectives
The clinic’s objectives align with the detailed content outline for the NBRC exams, which aim to review concepts and foster a deeper understanding of patient data evaluation, equipment manipulation, and therapeutic procedures. Rose State faculty and Clinical Instructors will verify concepts on the clinical objectives. The Clinic I Objectives will include the following:
- Physical Assessment
- Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
- Incentive Spirometry
- IPPB
- Bronchial Hygiene/NT Suctioning
- Chest Physiotherapy
- Respiratory Pharmacology
- Pulmonary Function
- Medical Gas Administration
- Radiology Assessment
- Tracheostomy
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- End of Rotation
The last 4 weeks of Clinic I, the students may begin performing the following procedures with supervision in critical care: BiPap Set-Up and Routine Check, Adult Ventilator Set-Up and Routine Check, ABGs.
Summer — Clinic Practicum II & III Rotations
Purpose
The Clinic II and III Rotations are designed to allow students to perform treatment modalities with critical care patients. The students will attend adult ICU clinic rotation on Monday through Thursday from 6:30am to 3:00pm. Students assigned to the NICU or PICU clinic rotation will follow the same schedule, and add Fridays from 6:30am to 10:30am.
Procedures to Perform
The students have demonstrated competency in the lab and will be expected to gain experience on the following procedures:
- Artificial Airway Cuff Management
- Extubation
- In-Line Small Volume Nebulizer
- Inline suctioning
- Noninvasive Ventilator Setup
- Adult Ventilator Setup
- Adult Ventilator Check
- Adult Weaning Parameters
- Neonate Ventilator Setup
- Neonate Ventilator Check
- Manual Ventilation During Transport
All procedures must be performed with supervision until the student demonstrates competency at a clinical site.
Clinical Competencies
Students must complete Data Arc competencies on all procedures performed during the Clinic II/III rotation. The purpose of the competency is to verify the students’ ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate clinical information including the ability to demonstrate technical proficiency in the skill necessary. Each competency follows the same format: equipment and patient preparation, patient evaluation, implementation of procedure, follow-up, demonstrates knowledge of fundamental concepts, and clinical competency performance criteria. As a clinical instructor, you may be asked to complete a competency for the student. This involves a review of the competency prior to the process, a summative evaluation (satisfactory, minor unsatisfactory, or major unsatisfactory), a signature, the facility, and the date. The list of competencies to be completed is the same as the list of procedures the student will perform during the Clinic II/III rotation.
Clinic II/III Objectives
The clinic objectives follow the detailed content outline for the NBRC exams, which are intended to review concepts and promote a deeper understanding of patient data evaluation, equipment manipulation, and therapeutic procedures. Rose State faculty and Clinical Instructors will verify concepts on the clinical objectives. The Clinic II/III Objectives will include the following:
- ABG Sampling Technique and Analysis
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Critical Care Monitoring
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Ventilator Modification & Care of the Critically Ill
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Intensive Care
The Respiratory Therapist Program, CoARC Program #200144, Associate of Applied Science Degree at Rose State College is accredited by:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
(817) 283-2835
www.coarc.com
Rose State College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
(800) 621-7440
[email protected]