Overview

As a Respiratory Therapist, you deal with one of the critical life-sustaining functions of the human body-breathing. Most people take breathing for granted. It is a second nature, an involuntary reflex. But for the thousands of individuals who suffer from breathing problems, each breath is a major accomplishment. Respiratory Therapists evaluate patients and administer treatments to improve their breathing, as well as implement and monitor life support therapies. Respiratory services are needed by patients of all ages, from the pre-mature infant with underdeveloped lungs, to the geriatric patient who has developed pulmonary disease. Therapists are a vital part of the hospital’s lifesaving response team that answers to patient emergencies.

The Respiratory Therapy Program at RSCC is a 5-semester program that prepares graduates to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Students gain knowledge and theory through the use of classroom lectures and discussions. Technical skills are taught in the laboratory setting with, the merging of theory and technical performance in the clinical setting. Class size is conducive to excellent student-instructor interaction and individualized attention.

Visit the American Association for Respiratory Care Web page to watch a video and gain more information about the Respiratory Therapy profession.

Work Setting

Respiratory Therapists work primarily in the hospital setting. However, employment opportunities are increasing in home care facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Therapists are also employed in physician offices, rehabilitation centers, and equipment sales.

Credentialing Requirements

Upon successful completion of the Respiratory Therapy Program, the graduate is eligible to take the advanced level registry exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, (NBRC). Graduates who successfully complete the exams are awarded the RRT credential.

Location

The Respiratory Therapy Program is taught at the Knoxville Health Sciences Center located in West Knoxville at 132 Hayfield Rd.

Clinical affiliates are located primarily in the Knoxville area with hospitals available in Cookeville and Cumberland County for those students from the Cumberland Plateau.

Accreditation

The Respiratory Therapy Program at Roane State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Cost

The cost of registration, uniforms, textbooks, liability insurance, licensing examination fees, criminal background checks and physical exam averages approximately $3,500 per year. The greatest expenses can be expected in the first and last semesters. All expenses are subject to change.

Program Related Expenses:

• Books: contact the RSCC Bookstore for titles and prices
• Supplies: approximately $150 (uniforms, stethoscope etc;)
• Liability Insurance: $30
• Physical Examination and Immunizations
• Health Care Provider Level “C” CPR Certification
• Criminal Background Check: $65.00
• Graduation Fee: $25.00
• Mock Examinations: $150.00
• Licensure Fees: $120.00
• Credentialing Exam Fees: $600.00
• Review Course (recommended): $300.00

Steps to enroll at RSCC as a Respiratory Therapy Applicant

1. Complete an Application for Admission/Readmission and send a $20 non-refundable fee to the Admissions Office. Indicate on the application that you are interested in the Respiratory Therapy Program.
2. Print, complete and submit a Hepatitis B Health History Form to the Admissions Office.
   Submit OFFICIAL transcripts from all high schools or colleges you have attended to the Office of Records and Registration. An official transcript is one in an unopened sealed envelope from the high school or college.
3. If you are under the age of 21, and have taken the ACT test within the last 3 years and your score on all parts is 19 or better, you qualify to enter college level courses. If your score is below a 19 on any course category you will be placed in remedial / developmental courses based on the actual ACT scores. If you are 21 years of age or older, you must undergo placement assessment.
4. Provide proof of two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccines if born in or after 1957. You, your family or your family doctor should have this. If not, visit your local County Health Department. Mail this to the Admissions Office.
5. Contact your advisor to help you prepare a degree checklist. Your advisor information can be found on RaiderNet.
6. Complete any remedial/developmental courses and/or begin taking general education courses. You must finish all remedial/developmental courses before the application deadline to be considered for admissions into the program. You must be accepted into the Respiratory Therapy program before you can begin taking classes with a RRT prefix.

Steps to be accepted into the RSCC Respiratory Therapy Program

• Apply for acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy Program by completing a Health Sciences application and submit it to the Health Sciences Admission Office before the application deadline (last working day in May).
• You must complete 10 hours of observation in a hospital based respiratory therapy department prior to the application deadline. A link to the student observation form is provided at the top of the respiratory therapy Web page. The observation form should be downloaded and signed by an official from the respiratory therapy department. Before arriving at the clinical affiliate to observe, please call the hospital respiratory therapy department, identify yourself as a prospective RSCC respiratory therapy student and schedule your observation time. Prospective students must dress professionally during clinical observation time.
• Complete BIOL 2010 Anatomy and Physiology I before the application deadline. You must also complete a minimum of 8 hours from the General Education Courses listed in the Respiratory Therapy curriculum.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.50 or greater on the general education courses required for the RT program.
• Maintain a “C” or better in the required science courses.
• Only respiratory therapy courses which were completed within three years prior to applying for admission or readmission will be considered for transfer. Science courses more than ten years old will not be considered.

After the program deadline, the Health Sciences Admissions Committee will review the applications and select students based on:

• Completed student file in the Records and Registration Office
• Completion of 10 hours of general education courses required in the RT program
• Completion of A&P I with a grade of “C” or better
• Minimum GPA of 2.50

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students meeting minimum criteria will be considered competitively based on the number of general education courses completed and their GPA.

Students accepted into the program will be notified by letter in early June.