According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), Respiratory Care is: “a healthcare specialty under medical direction in the assessment, treatment, management, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.” There are more than 185,000 respiratory care practitioners in the United States. Respiratory Therapists are members of the allied healthcare team.
In a recent study conducted by the AARC, seventy‐five percent of respiratory care practitioners work in hospitals side‐by‐side with physicians and nurses as a vital part of the health care team. They work in intensive care, the emergency department, medical‐surgical floors, and labor and delivery. The additional twenty‐five percent of practicing therapists work in laboratories, home care settings, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, in sales, education and research. Respiratory therapists are highly motivated individuals. They are intelligent, caring, able to employ critical thinking skills, and are willing to grow with the profession. You may learn more about the Respiratory Care profession by contacting the AARC or the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care.
The Respiratory Care program of North Central State College provides the student with a strong background in the use of respiratory equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiology. The student receives direct hands‐on patient care experience in various hospitals and facilities throughout their clinical education.
The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021‐2835, 817‐283‐2835. Graduates are eligible and well‐prepared to begin the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examination process to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist and to attain the Respiratory Care license in the state of Ohio. North Central State College re‐confirms the position of total support through human resources and fiscal measures towards the accreditation process.
Enrollment in the Respiratory Care program is limited. There is a special admission procedure. Please contact the Admissions Office at 419‐755‐4761 or the Health Sciences Office at 419‐755-4805 for details.
The Respiratory Care department publishes a student handbook which delineates specific department/program policies which are not explained in the general catalog. The specific policies as described in the department’s student handbook take precedence over any general policy outlined in the College catalog. A copy of the handbook is available for review in the Admissions Office. An acceptable health physical and verification of immunizations/immunities are required. A Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) report/FBI background check and drug screening are required in order to enter the technical (RESP) clinical sequence.
The Respiratory Care program contains a sequence of technical (RESP) classes that begin in the Fall Semester each year. Entrance into this sequence is limited to students who have successfully completed the entrance requirements. Copies of the entrance requirements are available from the Admissions Office. Persons who are currently Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians by the National Board for Respiratory Care may apply for advanced standing in the program. A minimum grade of 77% is required in BIOL 1730 , BIOL 1550 , CHEM 1030 , ENGL 1010 , STAT 1010 , and all RESP classes in order to meet prerequisite and graduation requirements.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for successful completion of this program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Upon completion of the program, students will comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their roles as registered respiratory care therapists.
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate technical proficiency in all the skills necessary to fulfill their roles as an registered respiratory care therapist.
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate professional behavior consistent with employer expectations as an registered respiratory care therapist.
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