Respiratory Therapist

Program Description

Respiratory therapists, as members of a team of health care professionals, work to evaluate, treat and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision-making (such as patient evaluation, treatment selection and assessment of treatment efficacy) and patient education.

The scope of practice for respiratory therapy includes, but is not limited to: assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients, drawing blood samples, performing blood gas analysis and pulmonary function testing, initiating ordered respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients' responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives, providing patient, family and community education, and participating in life support activities as required. At graduation, the student is qualified for admission to the entry-level and advanced practitioner examinations to become a registered respiratory therapist. The Respiratory Therapist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). At its meeting on September 24-25, 2012, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the recognition application submitted by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The board of directors accepted the committee's recommendation and granted recognition to CoARC.

*Outcomes data from the 2011 Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: http://www.coarc.com/47.html.

Statewide Salary Range for Recent Graduates

$35,977 $54,138

Approximate Costs

• $122.20 per credit (resident)
• $183.30 per credit (out-of-state resident)
• *Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.

Program Outcomes

• Apply advanced-level respiratory therapy concepts to patient care situations.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency required to fulfill the role of an advanced-level Respiratory Therapist.
• Practice respiratory therapy according to established professional and ethical standards.

Career Opportunities

• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Respiratory Care Therapist
• Staff Therapist
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist
• Perinatal/Pediatric Therapist
• Pulmonary Function Technologist/Therapist
• Sleep Disorder Center Technician
• Nursing Home Therapist
• Respiratory Care Educator
• Home Care Therapist/Manager
• Acute Care Respiratory Therapist

Program Applications

Applications for admission to the Respiratory Therapist program will continue to be accepted until further notice. Please check our Application Deadlines for periodic updates.

Entrance Scores

Admission Process

• Submit the college admission application.   
• Submit the $30 one-time fee.   
• Submit high school and other official college transcripts.   
• Take the college assessment test (ACCUPLACER, ACT or other). The ACCUPLACER assessment can be taken at MPTC.   
• Meet with Admissions to discuss order of courses and prerequisites (required for this program).   
• Health Requirements need to be met and a Criminal Background Check is required.   
• Check with Admissions if any additional steps are required.   

Please visit the Admissions page for general information.