Your Future is So Bright!
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for respiratory therapists is between $39,800 and $61,330. Employment opportunities are projected to grow 19% from 2020 – 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Why Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory Therapists care for people with breathing disorders. They work with premature infants with underdeveloped lungs, patients who have had heart attacks or strokes and patients who have chronic diseases like asthma or emphysema.
The scope of responsibilities ranges from patient education to the performance of emergency life-sustaining procedures. Respiratory therapists work closely with nurses and physicians in devising and implementing patient care plans. The demand for the services of the respiratory therapist remains great.
At Jefferson State Community College, the Respiratory Therapy Program is a two-year associate degree program. Our main purpose when educating our students is to shape them into well-rounded registry-level respiratory therapists and industry healthcare leaders, by offering a comprehensive didactic, laboratory and clinical curriculum following the accreditation requirements of CoARC. After graduation our mission is to make sure our students are highly trained and ready for the workforce.
Accreditation
Jefferson State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and the Associate of Applied Science degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Jefferson State Community College.
Accreditation for Respiratory Care Program
Accreditation has been awarded by the Commission on Accreditation Respiratory Care, 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690; (817) 283-2835 https://coarc.com/
Important Dates
See the Respiratory website for enrollment information and application deadlines. www.jeffersonstate.edu/rt
Submit the packet in its entirety, including observation form(s), to JSCC’s Office of Enrollment Services Admissions & Records on-line. Also, it is important to keep in mind that Respiratory Therapy admits a maximum of 40 new applicants once a year, during the fall term.
RT Admission Requirements
- Completion of all general education requirements with agrade of C (70) or better (ENG 101, SPH Elective, MTH 100 or higher, BIO 201 & BIO 202 {must betaken within last 5 years}, HUM and Fine Arts Elective, PSY 200) before applying for admission to the program. (*HUM /Fine Arts and PSY 200 may be completed after acceptance to the program, but it is strongly encouraged they be completed prior to starting in the fall.)
- The Respiratory Therapy program admits a maximum of40 new applicants once a year, during the fall term. For information on the Respiratory Therapy application process contact the Pre-Respiratory therapy advisors [email protected].
- Student must possess a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
- Official ACT Official ACT composite score of 18 or higher within 5 years of deadline (National or Residual), or official SAT score of 940 or higher within 5 years of deadline, or proof of bachelor’s degree must be on file with the college by the application deadline.
- Not a requirement for admission, however, all students admitted to the program must submit to a drug screening and background check and provide other required documentation (current CPR Certification{at the Provider level}, Health/Hospitalization Insurance, Liability Insurance, Immunizations, etc.) Applicants with a history of criminal arrest or convictions should discuss the matter with the director.
- Complete the Respiratory Therapy (RPT) Observation form (optional). See instructions.
- Once admitted, student must attend a MANDATORY Orientation. Date and time to be determined.
Standard Associate Degree Respiratory Therapy Curriculum
First Semester
RPT 210 Clinical Practice I 2
RPT 211 Introduction to Respiratory Care 2
RPT 212 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I (Lab 2:1) 4
RPT 213 Anatomy & Physiology for the RCP 3
RPT 214 Pharmacology for the RCP 2
*Humanities and Fine Arts Elective (AHUM) 3
Total First Semester 16 hrs.
Second Semester
RPT 220 Clinical Practice II 2
RPT 221 Pathology for the RCP I 3
RPT 222 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II 4
RPT 223 Acid Base Regulation and Arterial Blood Gas Analysis 2
RPT 254 Patient Assessment Techniques 2
*PSY 200 General Psychology 3
Total Second Semester 16 hrs.
Third Semester
RPT 230 Clinical Practice III 2
RPT 231 Pathology for the RCP II 3
RPT 234 Mechanical Ventilation for the RCP 4
RPT 242 Perinatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care 3
RPT 244 Critical Care Considerations for RCP 2
Total Third Semester 14 hrs.
Fourth Semester
RPT 232 Diagnostic Procedures for the RCP 2
RPT 233 Special Procedure for the RCP 2
RPT 240 Clinical Practice IV 4
RPT 241 Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Home Care 2
RPT 243 Computer Applications for the RCP 2
RPT 266 Seminar in Respiratory Medicine I RPT 1
**Clinical rotations for these courses will consist of two 12-hour shifts per week.
Total Fourth Semester 13 hrs.
Need More Information?
David W. Trott, BS, RRT
Director, Respiratory Therapy Program
Shelby-Hoover Campus
Health Sciences Building, Room 328
[email protected]
(205) 983-5271
Jennifer Chesser, BS, RRT
Director of Clinical Education
Shelby-Hoover Campus
Health Sciences Building, Room 329
[email protected]
(205) 983-5310
Beth Ray
Office Assistance
[email protected]
Pre-Respiratory Therapy Advisor’s
Kathleen Johnson
Advisor, Nursing & Allied Health
Jefferson Campus
Allen Library, room 100
[email protected]
(205) 856-7947
Kim Rigg
Advisor, Nursing & Allied Health Shelby-
Hoover Campus
General Sciences Building, room 100
[email protected]
(205) 983-5949
Applicants with a history of criminal arrest or convictions should discuss the matter with the director.
