Respiratory Care
Respiratory Care
If the Patient Isn't Breathing, Nothing Else Matters!
Ready to make a difference in healthcare? Join our Respiratory Care Program at JSCC and embark on a rewarding journey as a respiratory therapist. With cutting-edge training and hands-on experience, you'll become skilled in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with breathing disorders. From hospitals to home care settings, your expertise will positively impact lives. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to thrive in a dynamic and high-demand field! Make a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others. To learn more about the field of respiratory therapy, visit be-an-rt.org. For questions or help getting started, please contact Christie Ward, Program Director at cward12@jscc.edu.
Learn more about the program
Respiratory Therapists are healthcare specialists who work under the direction of a physician and assist in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with pulmonary disorders. Respiratory Therapists work with people of all ages, from newborns to geriatric patients. RTs work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care, and physicians' offices. The Respiratory Care program combines general education, respiratory care, and clinical experience courses. Respiratory care students will learn how to use the most advanced technology and experience hands-on patient care in one of the area healthcare facilities. The educational curriculum is a 5-semester on-ground program of study that prepares graduates to take the national Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Graduates are also eligible for state licensure, as the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care requires. There are excellent opportunities for individuals qualified in this healthcare profession due to the high incidence of breathing disorders.
Program Goal: To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
Explore a Sample Course Schedule
Fall Semester
| Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2010 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENGL 1010 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1530 | Statistics and Probability | 3 |
| RESP 1225 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 2 |
| RESP 1320 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 |
| RESP 1410 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I | 4 |
| Total Credits | 19 |
Spring Semester
| Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2020 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| RESP 1220 | Introduction to Clinical Practice | 2 |
| RESP 1310 | Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology | 3 |
| RESP 1420 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 13 |
Summer Semester
| Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RESP 2339 | Introduction to Clinical II | 3 |
| RESP 2440 | Mechanical Ventilation | 4 |
| RESP 2442 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Testing | 4 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Fall Semester
| Rubric | Course | Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 1030 | General Psychology | 3 |
| RESP 2444 | Critical Care Practice 1 | 4 |
| RESP 2445 | Adv. Concepts of Mech. Ventilation | 4 |
| RESP 2455 | Pediatric Respiratory Care | 4 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Rubric | Course | Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| RESP 2456 | Comp.Credentialing Preparation | 4 |
| RESP 2465 | Critical Care Practice 2 | 4 |
| RESP 2690 | Special Topics in Respiratory Care | 4 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Learn More About Our Program
Additional Information
Admission Requirements
The Respiratory Care program has specific admission requirements. Entrance into the program is competitive. All applicants must complete the following requirements by the application deadline to be considered for entrance into the program:
- Obtain regular college admission for degree-seeking status.
- If applicable, complete all required learning support competencies before applying to the program by the application deadline (June 1).
- Possess a high school and/or college overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Learning support courses are not included in the calculation of the GPA.
- Submit official ACT results if college courses have not been completed OR complete at least eleven (11) semester hours of college-level credit with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of “C” or better in any science courses or college-level math course attempted. This curriculum should include college-level math and science courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
- Additional points toward admission will be given to students who have completed COL 1030, College to Career Navigation, and HSC 111, Medical Terminology if a grade of A or B is obtained in these courses.
- College credit for Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II must be within the past five years to count toward the Respiratory Care degree, or the courses must be repeated.
- Submit a completed Respiratory Care Program application by June 1 of the desired year of entry.
- Attend an interview, as scheduled by the program faculty, once all application requirements have been completed.
Career Ready Program
Green Light Your Future in two years or less with a career-ready degree that prepares you to enter the workforce and excel. You will gain valuable hands-on experience and knowledge taught by instructors with real-world, professional experience.
CoARC Accredited
The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by CoARC, ensuring it meets high standards, allowing graduates eligibility for NBRC exams. This accreditation affirms program quality and student readiness for professional certification.
100%
TMC High Cut Score
100%
Graduate Satisfaction Score
100%
Employer Satisfaction Score
Career Outlook
Career and Salary Information
The following is a list of career choices that may be obtained upon completing a bachelor's degree or higher in this discipline. Please visit the following website: http://www.onetonline.org or speak to an advisor for additional career opportunities, salary information, and education requirements. Salaries are not guaranteed.
|
Career |
Experienced Salary Median |
|
Respiratory Therapists |
$66,536+ |
Further education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree in Respiratory Care, can unlock specialized career opportunities and advancement. Transfer opportunities to four-year colleges or universities provide a pathway for continued education and expanded career prospects in the dynamic field of Respiratory Care.
Respiratory Care
The Respiratory Care Program, CoARC Program Number 200626, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Care, and Jackson State Community College main campus holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (https://coarc.com/)
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