Respiratory Care
Program Type: Associate In Applied Science
Division: Nursing & Allied Health
Program Duration: 28 months
Program overview
The Respiratory Care program gives students a solid foundation of theory and clinical experiences. Students will learn about medical gas administration, airway care, aerosol therapy, lung inflation techniques, mucus clearance techniques, arterial blood gas analysis, managing patients on life support, diagnostic lung studies, pediatric/neonatal respiratory care, CPR and hemodynamic monitoring. Clinical rotations give the student opportunities to apply theory into practice for optimal patient care and performance of respiratory care procedures.
Courses Required
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Prerequisite
Basic Anatomy And Physiology
Course Code: BIO-112
This course is a basic integrated study of the structure and function of the human body.
College Algebra
Course Code: MAT-110
This course includes the following topics: polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions; inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; determinants; and solutions of higher degree polynomials.
Physical Science I
Course Code: PHS-101
This is the first of a sequence of courses in physical science and includes an introduction to science with emphasis on science terminology and investigations of the physical world. Topics are selected from astronomy, chemistry, geology, and physics.
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Semester 1
English Composition I
Course Code: ENG-101
This is a (College Transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: A study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.
Introduction to Respiratory Care
Course Code: RES-101
This course includes introduction topics pertinent to entering the respiratory care profession, i.e., medical terminology, ethical issues, and legal issues.
Pathophysiology
Course Code: RES-111
This course is a study of the general principles and analyses of normal and diseased states.
Respiratory Skills I
Course Code: RES-121
This course includes a study of basic respiratory therapy procedures and their administration.
Cardiopulmonary Physiology
Course Code: RES-123
This course covers cardiopulmonary physiology and related systems.
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Semester 2
Respiratory Skills II
Course Code: RES-131
This course is a study of selected respiratory care procedures and applications.
Clinical Applications
Course Code: RES-150
This course is the study of entry level clinical procedures in the hospital setting.
Respiratory Pharmacology
Course Code: RES-246
This course includes a study of pharmacologic agents used in cardiopulmonary care.
Public Speaking
Course Code: SPC-205
This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Successful completion of ENG 101 is recommended.
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Semester 3
General Psychology
Course Code: PSY-201
This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.
Respiratory Skills III
Course Code: RES-141
This course covers mechanical ventilation systems, pediatrics and associated monitors.
Clinical Applications I
Course Code: RES-151
This course covers the fundamental respiratory care procedures in the hospital setting.
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Semester 4
Neonatal/Pediatric Care
Course Code: RES-204
This course focuses on cardiopulmonary physiology, pathology, and management of the newborn and pediatric patient.
Respiratory Therapeutics
Course Code: RES-232
This course is a study of specialty areas in respiratory care, including rehabilitation.
Mechanical Ventilation II
Course Code: RES-243
This course incorporates advanced theory of mechanical ventilation. Liberation from mechanical ventilation is explored.
Adv Clinical Practice
Course Code: RES-275
This course includes clinical practice in advanced patient care procedures.
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Semester 5
Hemodynamic Monitoring
Course Code: RES-220
This course is a study of basic hemodynamic monitoring.
Respiratory Care Transi
Course Code: RES-241
This course provides a comprehensive review of respiratory care.
Comprehensive Applications
Course Code: RES-249
This course includes the integration of didatic and clinical training in respiratory care technology.
Clinical Application III
Course Code: RES-251
This course includes rotations in all areas of patient care with a primary emphasis on intensive care.
Entry Requirements
To see a list of entrance requirements for this program, please check the FDTC Course Catalog.
Download Catalog
Student Learning Outcomes
Lifelong Learning: Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate the ability to self-assess the knowledge that is required for life-long learning.
Communication: Graduates of this program will be able to communicate effectively and professionally with a variety of patients from diverse backgrounds, in addition to peers and other healthcare providers.
Critical Thinking: Graduates of this program will be able to integrate technical and conceptual knowledge to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, adapt, and document treatments to benefit individual patient needs.
Quality and Safety: Graduates of this program will provide evidence-based, preventive and therapeutic respiratory care in a safe manner.
Open Application Dates for Competitive Health Sciences Programs
Applications for the FDTC Health Sciences Programs will be accepted Monday, April 1, 2024 through Wednesday, May 15, 2024 for the FALL 2024 semester.
Complete Etrieve Application
Health Sciences Application Instructions
Program Accreditations & Resources
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Accreditation
This program, CoARC Number 200358, has been 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.
CoARC Website
Programmatic Outcomes
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Professional Licensure Disclosure
Graduates of the FDTC Respiratory Care program are eligible to complete the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams. In the state of SC, new graduates can obtain a limited license while they study and obtain their credentials. Other states may require that applicants acquire the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential or the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential to apply for licensure. FDTC Respiratory Care program graduates are prepared to complete the exams required to acquire both the CRT and RRT credentials. The FDTC Respiratory Care program meets the eligibility requirements for licensure in the state of SC, and it is unknown if it meets the requirements in other states. If you wish to acquire licensure in another state, you should consult with the state’s licensing agency here.
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