As a Respiratory Care Practitioner, 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 Care Practitioners 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. Respiratory Care Practitioners are a vital part of the hospital’s lifesaving response team that answers to patient emergencies.
The Respiratory Care Program at RSCC is a 5-semester program with a goal to prepare graduates with demonstrated competencies in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT’s). Class size is conducive to excellent student-instructor interaction and individualized attention.
Visit the American Association for Respiratory Care site to watch a video and gain more information about the Respiratory Therapy profession.
Respiratory Care Practitioners work primarily in the hospital setting. However, employment opportunities are increasing in home care facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Practitioners are also employed in physician offices, rehabilitation centers, and equipment sales.
Upon successful completion of the Respiratory Care Program, the graduate is eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice Exam and the Clinical Simulation exam offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, (NBRC). Graduates who successfully complete both exams are awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist, (RRT) credential.
The Respiratory Care Program is taught at the Knox County Center for Health Sciences. Clinical affiliates are located primarily in the Knoxville area with hospitals available in Cumberland County for those students from the Cumberland Plateau.
The cost of registration, uniforms, textbooks, liability insurance, licensing examination fees, criminal background checks and physical exam averages approximately $5,500 per year. The greatest expenses can be expected in the first and last semesters. All expenses are subject to change.
Roane State Tuition & Fees
All tuition and fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
* Program courses that are taken in an online format are subject to a distance education fee. A Specialized Allied Health Science Fee of $25 per credit hour will be applied to all Allied Health Science courses. See Tuition and Fees link above.
Visit the bookstore for book titles and prices
The Respiratory Care Program, CoARC number 200263, Associate of Applied Science Degree, located at 132 Hayfield Rd. Knoxville TN 37922 is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com)
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, (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. Program outcome data can be found here.
Ricky J Terwilliger
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 4766
Program Director
Karyn L Goins
Click above for email address
(865) 354-3000 ext. 4772
BS, RRT
Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator
Health Sciences Admission Advisor
Michael Burtch
(865) 354-3000, ext. 4705
hsnadmissions@roanestate.edu
For Information regarding program admission contact:
For program specific information contact:
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.