Respiratory Care

Respiratory care is a rapidly growing health specialty concerned with the diagnosis and care of persons with cardiopulmonary diseases. An individual choosing this career will be involved in a rapidly expanding medical specialty with vast opportunities in future years. The respiratory therapist works as a member of several health care teams, since a therapist is instrumental in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and control of patients with cardiopulmonary problems, as well as is involved in preventive care.Respiratory therapists provide assessment, diagnostic evaluation, treatment and care of patients with breathing disorders. Respiratory therapists have special expertise in artificial ventilation, resuscitation, and airway management. They care for patients in a variety of settings, such as the emergency room, nursery and intensive care units. Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, and physician offices.

The two year respiratory care program at Tallahassee Community College is located at the Ghazvini Center for Healthcare Education and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (COARC). The program is designed for students who desire preparation for employment as registered respiratory therapists. Graduates are eligible, upon completion of the program and the required clinical experience, to sit for the registry examination offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. The program requires six semesters of study which includes technical courses in respiratory care, clinical experience in the respiratory care department of clinical affiliates, and support courses in science and general education. The two years of study culminate in the achievement of an associate in science degree providing the graduate with greater opportunities for work in settings requiring broad competencies and providing opportunities for advancement.

Program Goals

1. To prepare graduates to successfully complete the professional credentialing exams.
2. To prepare graduates with knowledge, skills and behavior learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists.

Program Description

This is a 76 credit hour program over 5 semesters that begins each Fall.  Instruction is provided in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings to prepare students to function safely and efficiently at the beginning and advanced levels of practice. Instructional units include fundamentals of respiratory care, pharmacology, cardiopulmonary physiology, advanced respiratory procedures, chest medicine, respiratory diseases, diagnostic testing, emergency procedures, and ethics and professionalism in respiratory care. Support courses include anatomy and physiology, general chemistry, microbiology, and mathematics. Appropriate general education courses in English, humanities and social sciences are included in the curriculum to help prepare students to perform effectively in roles identified for the graduate of this program.

Program Performance Goals

Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge base adequate to pass the examination for designation as a Registered Respiratory Therapist;
2. Demonstrate competence in respiratory care skills including respiratory care modalities, patient teaching, equipment care,
    and equipment function pertinent to basic therapy;
3. Recognize, intervene as necessary, or alert appropriate persons, to changes in patient's condition which removes him/her from the
    category of basic care;
4. Assume responsibility for his/her own personal and educational growth by making decisions based on sound judgment, seeking help
    when necessary, and seeking knowledge on his/her own;
5. Function in a middle-management position within the health team to affect patient care;
6. Apply the principles of communication in various situations involving patients, families, significant others, and health team members;
7. Monitor and manage patients in critical care settings;
8. Maintain ethical behavior as it relates to respiratory care and patient care; and
9. Perform diagnostic testing related to respiratory care including, but not limited to, pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas studies.