Respiratory Care, Associate in Applied Science
Total Program Credits: 68
Triton College is pursuing accreditation for the Respiratory Care program through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Respiratory Care is the health care discipline specializing in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function, health and wellness. Respiratory care practitioners are educated, trained and licensed professionals who employ scientific principles to identify, treat and prevent acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory care practitioners may be found in acute-care hospital settings, including the emergency room, the intensive care unit, the newborn or pediatric intensive care unit, or the pulmonary diagnostics laboratory. In addition to general procedures, respiratory care practitioners also monitor and maintain complex life-support systems such as mechanical ventilators. They work with patients of all ages, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs, to senior citizens with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Outside of the hospital setting, respiratory care practitioners may work in pulmonary rehabilitation clinics, performing pulmonary rehabilitation.
Respiratory Care program provides students with academic and clinical training in preparation for employment as a respiratory care practitioner. Students have the opportunity to develop professional skills in advanced respiratory care techniques (including neonatal, pediatric and adult special care procedures), general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics. Upon completion of the program, a graduate is considered eligible and qualified to take the certification and registry examinations, and the specialty examinations for pediatrics/neonatology, adult critical care specialist and pulmonary function technology offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Additionally, graduates are eligible for a license to practice in states with licensure and/or registration laws.
Program prerequisites:
- Must read and write at a college level; can be demonstrated by course equivalency, or by meeting all current reading and writing requirements forRHT 101◊ (Freshman Rhetoric & Composition I) placement;
- MAT 085 (Algebra and Geometry II), or must meet current college Math requirement for completion of MAT 085; and
- AHL 120 (Comprehensive Medical Terminology); and
- BIS 136 (Functional Human Anatomy I) or BIS 240 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I); and
Completion of the Math and Science prerequisites must not be more than five years from the start of the Respiratory Care program. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. All test scores must be within the last two years.
Admission is determined by a point system based on a grade point average for college level prerequisite courses (MAT 085, AHL 120, BIS 136 or 240, and CHM 110 or 140) and previous college academic history. Candidates are required to meet CPR, health, criminal background check with no findings, alcohol breath testing and drug screening requirements prior to entry into the clinical setting. Students with a positive background check that include any disqualifying conditions, as defined by Federal and State law will not be allowed to enter the program (TITLE 77: PUBLIC HEALTH).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Care program the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the following aspects of communication skills and interpersonal relationships: verbal, nonverbal, listening, conflict, gender, and diversity.
- Demonstrate the ability to acquire and evaluate clinical data and modify therapy to achieve therapeutic objectives.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess the cardiopulmonary status of patients, and implement respiratory care plans.
- Determine the correct management and maintenance of the artificial and anatomical airway as well as the lung mechanics pertinent to the mechanically ventilated patient.
- Demonstrate proficient clinical skills by performing prescribed adult, pediatric, and neonatal respiratory care procedures.
- Demonstrate the skills necessary to set-up, manage, and troubleshoot advanced modes of ventilation.
- Interpret diagnostics such as arterial blood gasses, capnography, hemodynamic values, hematology, and electrolytes as they apply to the assessment of the care of the critically ill patient.
(Reviewed Fall 2023)
Placement Measures
Program Map for Students
| AHL 109 Drug Calculations | Core Course | 1 |
| | | |
| BIS 137 ◊ # Functional Human Anatomy II | Core Course | 4 |
| OR | | |
| BIS 241 ◊ # Human Anatomy & Physiology II | Core Course | 4 |
| | | |
| RSC 102 # Introduction to Respiratory Care Profession | Core Course | 1 |
| RSC 104 # Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | Core Course | 3 |
| RSC 108 # Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | Core Course | 3 |
| RSC 111 # Basic Respiratory Procedure | Core Course | 4 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 16 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan.
Explore transfer institutions and admissions requirements by attending transfer events (if intending to transfer). |
| BIS 222 ◊ # Principles of Microbiology | Core Course | 4 |
| RSC 122 # Advanced Respiratory Procedures | Core Course | 4 |
| RSC 128 # Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | Core Course | 2 |
| RSC 135 # Cardiopulmonary Diseases I | Core Course | 3 |
| RSC 141 # Applied Respiratory Care I | Core Course | 1 |
| RHT 101 ◊ # English Rhetoric & Composition I | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 17 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
If intending to transfer, create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers and attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. |
Note: Grade of “C” or higher is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊.
BIS 222◊ meets Triton's Biological Sciences general education requirement.
| RSC 151 # Applied Respiratory Care II | Core Course | 1 |
| RSC 155 # Basic Intensive Respiratory Care | Core Course | 4 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 5 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop. (Minus the GECC Credential) |
| RSC 202 # Cardiopulmonary Diseases II | Core Course | 3 |
| RSC 205 # Advanced Intensive Respiratory Care | Core Course | 4 |
| RSC 207 # Pulmonary Function Testing | Core Course | 2 |
| RSC 214 # Hemodynamic Monitoring | Core Course | 2 |
| RSC 230 # Applied Respiratory Care III | Core Course | 1 |
| Take Credits Humanities | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop. (Minus the GECC Credential) |
| RSC 235 # Neonatal-Pediatric Intensive Respiratory Care | Core Course | 3 |
| RSC 237 # Long Term Respiratory Care | Core Course | 1 |
| RSC 239 # Advanced Respiratory Care Techniques | Core Course | 2 |
| RSC 245 # Applied Respiratory Care IV | Core Course | 1 |
| RSC 252 # Respiratory Care Board Review | Core Course | 2 |
| SPE 101 ◊ # Principles of Effective Speaking | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Take Credits Social and Behavioral Science | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to finalize your transfer plan and apply to your transfer institution(s) if intending to transfer.
Submit graduation petition by deadline (check for the specific date in catalog or syllabi.) |
Notes:
- All coursework must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Science and AHL program requirements must not be taken more than five years prior to the start of the Respiratory Care program or may be taken while in the program.
See Associate in Applied Science Graduation Requirements by discipline: https://triton.smartcatalogiq.com/2023-2024/triton-college-catalog/applied-science-programs/associate-in-applied-science-degree-requirements/
See RSC course descriptions.
Chairperson: Peter Jaswilko, Ext. 3928; email: peterjaswilko@triton.edu
KEY
(AAS/CERT) |
| General Education |
Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements). |
| Core Course |
Course(s) listed in a semester the student is required to take. |
| Program Elective |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program. |
If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution. |
| General Elective |
Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits. |
| ◊ symbol |
This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course) |
| # symbol |
This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course) |