Career Technical Education: Respiratory Care

The Associates of Science in Respiratory Care Program at Antelope Valley College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). 

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

1248 Harwood Road

Bedford, TX 76021-4244

(817) 283-2835

www.coarc.com

CoARC outcomes data is available at the following link: www.coarc.com/47.html.

What is respiratory care?

• Respiratory care is a health profession that specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health. Respiratory care practitioners apply scientific principles to prevent, identify, and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system.

Primary goal

To prepare students as competent advanced-practice therapists.

Objectives

Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate:

1. The ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate clinical information relevant to their role as an entry level and/or advanced-practice therapist (knowledge domain).

2. The technical proficiency in all of the skills necessary to fulfill the role as an entry-level and/or advanced-practice therapist (psychomotor domain).

3. Professional behavior consistent with employer expectations for entry-level and/or advanced-practice therapist (affective domain).

Respiratory therapists have an in-depth knowledge of

• Cardiopulmonary anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
• Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics
• Pulmonary disease
• Advance life support and critical care
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical engineering and technology

Respiratory therapists effectively

• Assess, educate and treat patients with heart and lung problems

Respiratory care is focused on

• Prevention
• Assessment
• Treatment
• Management
• Control
• Diagnostic evaluation
• Education and care

What do respiratory therapists do?

• Apply critical thinking
• Apply patient/environment assessment skills
• Apply evidence based clinical practice skills
• Develop and implement effective care plans
• Apply patient driven protocols
• Implement disease management programs
• Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures

What are the prerequisites for entrance into the program?

• Prerequisites for RCP 101 in the Associate Degree Respiratory Care Program are: Completion of BIOL 101 (General Biology – 4 units), BIOL 201 (General Human Anatomy – 4 units), BIOL 202 (General Human Physiology - 4 units) and CHEM 101 (Introductory Chemistry – 5 units) at Antelope Valley College or the equivalent at another accredited college. All science courses require a lab. Students are also required to meet the following prerequisites: minimum GPA of 2.0 for all college courses taken; minimum GPA of 2.0 for BIOL 101, BIOL 201, BIOL 202 and CHEM 101.

How do I enroll?

Enrollment packets are accepted on an ongoing basis and a waiting list is maintained.  Students are admitted into the program in the fall of each year.  All students wanting to enroll in RCP 101 should follow the instructions on the “Verification of Prerequisites for RCP 101” (obtained from the Health Sciences Division).

For more information about respiratory care as a career, visit the web site for the Respiratory Care Board of California: www.rcb.ca.gov

Respiratory Care Suggested Curriculum

• Program Requirements