Respiratory Care

AAS

Respiratory Care

The Respiratory Care Program is a seven-quarter full-time program offering an associate of applied science degree. The program prepares individuals for entry into respiratory care and for the Registry Credentialing Exam given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Under the direction of a physician, the respiratory care practitioner works with other health-care professionals to deliver health care in the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders including the use of medical gases, medications, aerosols, lung drainage, ventilatory support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, respiratory disease management and diagnostic testing. Classroom and laboratory instruction is combined with clinical experiences in various local health-care facilities. The program meets respiratory care practitioner licensure requirements of the State of Washington, and is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The Respiratory Care Program is for, (1) new students with no prior experience entering the field of health care; and (2) students with previous pre-professional science classes or those holding degrees in other areas. Enrollment into the program occurs only in fall quarter. New students can begin taking support courses in preparation for the fall quarter start.

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities are available in every area of the country. Employment can be found in acute care hospitals, sub-acute and skilled nursing facilities, medical clinics, research, home care, rehabilitation, sales and education. Practitioners work side-by-side with nurses and doctors as a respected member of the health care team. Hospitals encourage their staff practitioners to continually learn and to improve their skills and often pay for continuing education. Respiratory care is also a career with job mobility and advancement opportunities.

Learning Outcomes (AAS)

The graduate of the SCCC Respiratory Care program is able to:

Implement the respiratory care procedures in a systematic manner to provide a high standard of care to individuals and groups.
Provide a safe environment in all aspects of respiratory care delivery.
Perform quality respiratory care demonstrating affective, psychomotor, cognitive, and communication skills, demonstrating the ability to make sound, accurate decisions based on scientific and cardiopulmonary theories.
Integrate knowledge from the biological, physical and life sciences into respiratory care of individuals and groups.
Incorporate an understanding of health, illness, and cultural diversity into all aspects of respiratory care.
Teach individuals or groups to achieve and maintain an optimum level of wellness.
Communicate effectively with clients, including families and significant others.
Collaborate effectively with clients, including families and significant others.
Identify their own limitations of knowledge, skills and respiratory care functions, and take appropriate actions.
Incorporate knowledge of legal and ethical issues into respiratory care practice.
Participate in activities that support the profession of respiratory care.

Entrance Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.
Test requirements: Must be eligible for English 101 and Math 084. The test is waived if transcripts show completion of English 101 (Composition) and Math 084 (Algebra I) with at least a 2.0 grade. Entrance into the program is on a first-come, first-served basis after prerequisite testing has been completed.

Any of the required support courses may be taken before entrance into the program to reduce the academic load during the year. (Some science prerequisites may have other requirements not listed.)

How To Get Started

Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
After matriculation by Admissions, contact the division counselor's office, (206) 344-4347, for an appointment/interview to evaluate test scores and for counseling assistance to determine your eligibility to enter the program. Bring copies of your high school and any college transcripts, test results, and/or Transfer of Credit form with you to your interview.
In accordance with health facility affiliation agreements, students enrolled in clinical courses are required to complete a Request for Criminal History form. All information will be kept confidential. Students should be aware that certain convictions may prevent clinical placement and employment and that completion of this program does not guarantee certification, licensing or employment.
Satisfactory physical and immunization records must be on file in the division office prior to the first day of clinical.

Applicants having previously earned credits in science/general education courses must apply for Credit by Direct Transfer in the Admissions Office, room BE 1107. This is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants are also responsible for submitting all prerequisite and/or supporting class grades to the division office.

Estimated Training Costs

Tuition
Photo ID Card (one-time fee)
Student Activity Fee (per quarter)
Transportation Mgmt Fee (per quarter)
Computer Lab Fee (per quarter)
Universal Technology Fee (per quarter)
Books and Seminar Attendance $950.00
Lab Fees ($29.25 per quarter) $204.75
Clinical Supplies (varies) $125.00
Malpractice Insurance (varies)

Curriculum

1'st Quarter		Cr
BIOL 128	SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY	5

RCP 101	RESPIRATORY CARE ORIENTATION	1
	Intro to concepts and principles of the Respiratory Care program. Emphasizes preparation for school, college resources, financial assistance, classroom, study and communication skills, strategies for taking exams, time management, and stress and anger management.
RCP 110	INTRODUCTION TO RESPIRATORY CARE	2
	Intro to the respiratory care profession. Focus on historical development as well as current overview of the respiratory care practitioner role, medical ethics, death and dying.
RCP 112	APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY	2
	Overview of microbiology including development, fundamentals of chemisTeaches students to identify the founding components of microbiology, try, basic cell structure, relationships between humans and microbes, list the classifications of microorganisms, list and describe the fourand chemical and physical requirements of microbes. Covers microorgani major microbe groups and differentiate between them and the types of sms, differentiation of microbes, factors in disease and resistance, rdiseases each cause, describe the factors that relate to disease and resistance, identify the components of respiratory care infection contrespiratory care infection control procedures, and means for controllinol procedures, and list the physical, chemical, and chemotherapeuticalg organisms.
RCP 114	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS I	4
	Intro to procedures used to assess and treat common respiratory diseases. Emphasis on skills necessary to safely and effectively apply medical gas and aerosol therapy.
RCP 115	PHARMACOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE I	1
	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: list and ideIntro to pharmacology including calculation of drug dosages, respiratontify basic concepts of pharmacology; calculate respiratory care drug ry drug classifications and names, and dosages for aerosolized bronchodosages; identify the various respiratory drug classificastions/names;dilators.
2'nd Quarter		Cr
Humanities/Social Science Elective (5 cr.)
AHE 150	HIV/AIDS EDUCATION	0.5
	Meets requirements for health care professionals under RCW 18.130. Covers etiology and epidemiology of HIV, transmission and infection control, testing and counseling, clinical manifestations and treatment, and psychosocial issues. Approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
RCP 120	CLINICAL PRACTICE I	4
	Covers organization and function of an acute care hospital and typical respiratory care department. Continuation of skill development from RCP 114.
RCP 123	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE I	1
	Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: explain thIntro to pathophysiology including pathogenesis of diseases, inflammate basic concepts of the pathogenesis of disease; describe the inflammaion, disease transmission, etiology, epidemiology, pathology, clinicaltion and disease transmission; and discuss etiology, pathology, clinic findings, treatment and prognosis. al findings, treatment and prognosis.
RCP 124	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS II	5
	Continuation of RCP 114. Emphasis on skills to safely and effectively care for patients with artificial airways. Apply concepts of asepsis to respiratory therapy equipment to prevent spread of infection and disease. Intro to electrocardiography, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, arterial blood gas interpretation and bedside spirometry.
RCP 125	PHARMACOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE II	1
	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: calculate prCovers respiratory drug dilution and solution strengths, classificatioecise respiratory drug dilution and solution strengths; identify the cns of respiratory drugs and effects on the body, and the effects of calassifications of drugs used to treat the respiratory system and theirrdiopulmonary drugs on the autonomic nervous system. action and effect on the body systems; and realate and describe the various functions of the Autonomic Nervous System and how cardiopulmonary drugs affect the ANS.
3'rd Quarter		Cr
RCP 130	CLINICAL PRACTICE II	5
	Continuation of RCP 120, with emphasis on sterile technique, managing patients with artificial airways, and performing chest percussion and bronchial drainage.
RCP 133	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE II	1
	Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: describe tCovers infectious diseases of the lungs, and pulmonary considerations he assessment of the pulmonary patient; discuss the etiology, epidemioof HIV and AIDS. logy, pathology, clinical findings, treatment, and prognosis for the infectious diseases of the lung; and describe the pulmonary considerations associated with HIV/AIDS.
RCP 134	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS III	5
	Continuation of RCP 114 and RCP 124. Intro to techniques and equipment used in mechanical ventilation.
RCP 135	PHARMACOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE III	1
	Upon completion of this couse the students will be able to: describe Covers mucus-controlling agents, surfactant agents in RCPs, aerosolizethe mucus-conrolling agents used by RCPs; describe the surfactant and d anti-infective agents, and chemical mediators. describe the surfactant agents given by RCPs; list aerosolized anti-infective agents; and describe the inflammatory process, including the antigen-antibody reaction and list the corticostreiods given by RCPs.
RCP 137	CARDIOPULMONARY ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY	4
	Provides an in-depth investigation into the structure and function of Covers functional characteristics of the human cardiopulmonary system the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of teh human body. The indand methods of measuring pulmonary component function. Includes lab prterdependence of the two systems will be emphasized and the physiologyactice of basic pulmonary function tests. of respiration will be examined in detail. The student will also be introduced to the theory and procedures of basic bedside and laboratory pulmonary function testing. This course is intended to help understand the logic and reasoning of an expert Respiratory Care Practitioner.
4'th Quarter		Cr
PSYC&100	GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY	5
	(Formerly PSY 110) Intro to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking, development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and abnormal behavior, and research methods.
PSYC&200	LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY	5
	(Formerly PSY 206 [150](�) Developmental Psychology) Survey of human physical, psychological, and social development from conception through death. Emphasis on major developmental theories, research and research methods of studying life-span development.
RCP 240	CLINICAL PRACTICE III	4
	Continuation of RCP 130. Emphasis on managing patients with artificial airways, patients on mechanical ventilation and ICU monitoring techniques.
RCP 241	RESPIRATORY CARE FOR CRITICALLY ILL ADULTS	2
	Focuses on diagnosis, treatment and special considerations of the patient. Examines the logic and reasoning skills used by the expert Respiratory Care Practitioner. Apply clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic and significance through laboratory and physical means to provide safe and effective care.
RCP 243	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE III	1
	Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: discuss tCovers the etiology, epidemiology, pathology, clinical findings, treathe etiology, epidemiology, pathology, clinical findings, treatment andment and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Emphasisprognosis for the diseases categorized as COPD; define asthma and disc on asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, restrictive lung diseasesuss its etiology, pathogenesis, and management; discuss the etiology, and environmental lung diseases. epidemiology, pathology, clinical findings, treatment, and prognosis for both environmental and rstrcitve lung diseases; define Bronchiectasis and discuss its etiology, pathogenesis, and management; and define cystic fibrosis and discuss its etiology, pathogenesis and management.
RCP 244	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS IV	3
	Continuation of RCP 114, 124 and 134. Covers all aspects of monitoring critically ill patients (hemodynamics). Discussion of chest trauma, ARDS, and sepsis syndrome.
RCP 245	PHARMACOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE IV	1
	Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify Continuation of RCP 115, 125 and 135. Covers advanced concepts includidrugs and mediators directly involved with airway activity; describe dng identification of drugs and mediators involved in airway inflammatirugs used in critically ill patients and during CPR; and define the spon and critical care. ecial agents used in respiratory care.
5'th Quarter		Cr
ENGL&101	ENGLISH COMPOSITION	5
	(Formerly ENG 101) Intro to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation.
RCP 250	CLINICAL PRACTICE IV	6
	Emphasis on treatment of newborn infants and children suffering from various cardiopulmonary disorders.
RCP 251	RESPIRATORY CARE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN	3
	Covers respiratory care of infants from fetus to pediatric patient. IAdaptation of respiratory care practices for treatment of infants and ncludes developmental studies, assessment and care, causes of illness children. Focuses on anatomical, physiological and emotional differencand diseases, care of parents, and developmental outcomes. es from adults, and modifications of equipment and therapy techniques to effectively treat their cardiopulmonary disorders.
RCP 253	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE IV	1
	Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: discuss myCovers cardiopulmonary diseases and diseases of the pleura and chest wcardial infraction, disorders of pulmonary circulation, and respiratorall. Emphasis on myocardial infarction, disorders of pulmonary circulay care management of the cardiopulmonary compromised patients; describtion, ARDS, pleural effusion, pleural emphysema, pneumothorax, kyphosce disorders of pulmonary circulation including pulmonary edema, pulmonoliosis, chest trauma, and burn and inhalation injuries. ary embolism, pulmonary fat embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic Cor Pulmonale; discuss the etiology, pathology, clinical findings,treatment, and prognosis for pleura diseases; and describe diseases ofthe thoracic wall and chest trauma.
RCP 254	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS V	3
	Covers advanced concepts and skills to care for neonates and pediatric patients. Provides training in establishing and maintaining the patient including ventilation systems and pediatric equipment.
6'th Quarter		Cr
ENGL&102	COMPOSITION II	5
	(Formerly ENG 102) Continuation of the composition sequence with further instruction and practice in the writing process, concentrating on critical reading and writing techniques needed for the preparation and completion of documented essays.
RCP 260	CLINICAL PRACTICE V	6
	Covers safe and effective management of a patient on a mechanical ventilator.
RCP 264	RESPIRATORY CARE FUNDAMENTALS VI	3
	Builds on the concepts and skills needed to care for critically ill patients. Emphasis on advanced methods of diagnosing and monitoring respiratory disorders including pulmonary function studies and sleep studies.
7'th Quarter		Cr
RCP 270	CLINICAL PRACTICE VI	6
	Continuation of RCP 260. Focuses on determining ventilator discontinuance, transporting ventilator-dependent patients, and setting up and monitoring various auxiliary airway pressure devices.
RCP 272	COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF RESPIRATORY CARE	4
	Introduces computer use in health care. Emphasizes both resume and computerized board examination preparation. Covers preparation for National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level and Advanced Practitioners examinations. Focuses on logic and reasoning skills used by the expert Respiratory Care Practitioner.
RCP 274	PULMONARY REHABILITATION AND HOME CARE	2
	Intro to the concepts, knowledge, and procedures specific to the respiCovers general principles of long term health care including economicaratory care of adults and children with chronic cardiopulmonary disordl and ethical dilemmas in providing long term care at home and in extended care facilities. Also focuses on psychosocial aspects of chronicers. Emphasis on patient education. illness, disability and death.
RCP 276	ADVANCED PATIENT ASSESSMENT	3
	Covers appropriate assessment of the respiratory patient utilizing and analyzing history, physical examination, lab data, CXR, PFT and EKG data.
Total Credits = 110.5

Successful completion and eligibility for graduation requires that the student must have a 2.0 or better grade in all respiratory care, science and related instruction courses.

For Further Information:

Respiratory Care Program
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room 2BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 344-4347
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337

Program Contact:
Maureen Wood-Mottley mawood@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.6953