Respiratory Therapy, AAS

The Respiratory Therapy program provides students the opportunity to learn the dynamic allied health profession of respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapists are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and conditions that affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians to plan, provide and evaluate direct care to persons with pulmonary and cardiovascular abnormalities.

The curriculum includes a variety of supervised clinical practicum experience in local healthcare facilities. Graduates will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to begin successful careers as professional respiratory therapists.

Graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and graduates are eligible for credentialing examinations offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), as well as licensure as respiratory therapists by the Iowa Department of Public Health and all 48 other state boards licensing respiratory therapists.

Employment opportunities are found in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, home healthcare agencies, equipment and supply sales, rehabilitation, and continuing care.

Criminal background checks will be done and results shared with cooperating agencies, which may delay or deny placement for clinical/ practicum courses. This will affect successful program completion.

For more information about the Respiratory Therapy program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/respiratorytherapy.

Location: Ankeny

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission.
2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
3. Meet with a Respiratory Therapy faculty advisor.
4. Submit to Admissions office evidence of high school graduation or GED completion prior to enrollment.
5. Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade “C” or above in two semesters of high school algebra II or the equivalent (Academic Achievement Center Algebra III & IV or MAT 073 - Elementary Algebra II ).
6. Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade “C” or above in two semesters of high school chemistry or equivalent (Academic Achievement Center Chemistry I & II or CHM 122 - Intro to General Chemistry ).
7. Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade of “C” or above in BIO 733 - Health Science Anatomy  or BIO 164 - Essentials Anatomy/Physiology  or equivalent courses.

Students start Fall semester.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Respiratory Therapy AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A minimum of grade “C” or above is required in all RCP courses.