Respiratory Therapy, AAS

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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 experiences 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 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 abuse checks will be performed 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.

Program Details

Location: Ankeny

Students start Fall semester

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Meet with a Respiratory Therapy faculty advisor.
Submit to Admissions office evidence of high school graduation or GED completion prior to enrollment.
Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade “C” or above in MAT 121 College Algebra, MAT 073 - Elementary Algebra II, or high school equivalent of Advanced Algebra.
Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade “C” or above in CHM 165 General Chemistry I or CHM 122 Introduction to General Chemistry
Submit to Admissions office evidence of grade of “C” or above in both BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 173 Anatomy and Physiology II, or BIO 164 - Essentials Anatomy/Physiology
A Cumulative College GPA of 2.25 will be required for entry into the program effective in the Fall of 2020.

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 courses.

Semester 1

RCP 100 - Intro to Respiratory Care Credits: 3
RCP 240 - Respiratory Therapeutics Credits: 4
RCP 250 - Cardio/Pulmonary Therapeutics Credits: 4
ENG 105 - Composition I Credits: 3

Semester 2

RCP 360 - Cardio/Pulmonary Renal Pathop Credits: 5
RCP 400 - Resp Therapy Pharmacology Credits: 3
RCP 700 - Resp Therapy Practicum I Credits: 4
BIO 186 - Microbiology Credits: 4

Semester 3

RCP 501 - Advanced Respiratory Therapy Credits: 4
RCP 705 - Resp Therapy Practicum II Credits: 5

Semester 4

RCP 601 - Neonatal/Ped Resp Therapy Credits: 4
RCP 710 - Resp Therapy Practicum III Credits: 7
Select one course from Option 1 Credits: 3

Option 1 - Select 1 Course

ART 101 - Art Appreciation Credits: 3
MUS 100 - Music Appreciation Credits: 3
PHI 101 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3

Semester 5

RCP 410 - Cardio/Pulmonary Diagnostics Credits: 3
RCP 715 - Resp Therapy Practicum IV Credits: 7
Select one course from Option 2 Credits: 3

Option 2 - Select 1 Course

PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
PSY 121 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 241 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3

Semester 6

RCP 800 - Resp Therapy Mgmt & Ethics Credits: 3
RCP 720 - Resp Therapy Practicum V Credits: 5

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 74*

*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$160.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

The Respiratory Therapy program utilizes a background check service, www.certifiedbackground.com, to conduct criminal background/abuse checks and to track immunizations, health records and CPR certification for each student after their acceptance into the program. Students are responsible for the cost of this service (approximately $58).

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5	Semester 6
Books (approximate)	480	380	270	380	300	100
Supplies	70	70	60	70	70	60
AARC Dues	55			55
Clinical clothing (shirt/lab coat)	50	50		50
Stethoscope	75
CPR course	60
ISRC Lung Conf. Registration*		105			105
Hepatitis B Immunization	180
Self Assessment tests					50	110
Personal Protective Equipment	35	30		30
Practicum Documentation	60

* Out of Des Moines one of 2 years conference. Two nights in motel, 2.5 days food, and 230 miles round trip.

Approximate total for the program: $15,250**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Administer therapies to improve or maintain respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Monitor and maintain patients on life support systems.
Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Work in conjunction with patients as well as physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Perform diagnostic tests of lung and cardiac functions.
Teach patients proper methods of breathing.
Work with pulmonary patients in rehabilitation programs.
Plan care to be provided to patients.
Evaluate patient response to care.
Provide care under assess-and-treat protocols.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Above average reading and study skills.
Ability to organize tasks and work independently and efficiently.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to independently solve problems and make decisions.
Eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity.
Maintain confidentiality of information.
Spend the majority of work hours on your feet.
Able to lift 50 or more pounds.
Commitment to scheduled hospital shifts.
Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

You will work nights, weekends, and holidays.
You must provide your own transportation to the clinical sites.
Some clinical rotations will require evening shifts, while you are in school.
You will be exposed to persons with communicable diseases.
Average starting salary ?????

Program Competencies

Utilize the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities needed to begin a successful career as a respiratory therapist.
Provide safe, effective and ethical respiratory care.
Develop an individualized plan of care for a patient through the use of critical thinking skills
Function effectively as part of a team providing patient care
Communicate in spoken and written formats at the college level
Earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎