Respiratory Care Technology

RCT Admission Information

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, the following criteria must be met:

  1. Obtain admission to Jackson State.
    1. Apply to JSCC for regular admission. Students who score at least 19 on the ACT on the English, mathematics, and composite sections will be fully admitted to the college. Students who score less than 19 on the English, mathematics, and/or composite sections of the ACT will be placed in courses in the Developmental Studies Program.
    2. If the applicant is 21 years and older: Take the placement test. See Admissions Office for information.
  2. Submit a completed RCT program application by June 1 of the desired year of entry.
    1. Students who complete the general education courses before applying to the program are more competitive for selection for admission to the program. The general education courses include MATH 1410, 1530 or 1630, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Intro to Chemistry or Physical Science II, General Psychology, English Comp I and a humanities elective.

      Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for college level courses. (The higher your GPA the better your chances of getting into the program and being successful in meeting the degree requirements.) Students with a grade below a "C" in Anatomy and Physiology, and/or Introduction to Chemistry or Physical Science II may not be considered for admission.
    2. Submit a student copy of ALL college transcripts with the RCT program application.
    3. Submit documentation of eight (8) hours of observation/volunteer experience in a respiratory care department. The form for documentation is available in the Allied Health Department or on the web site. If the applicant is not selected to begin the program, these hours will carry over to the next application process. Observation/Volunteer Form
  3. Submit official transcripts of high school and/or college work to the Admissions Office by the application deadline.
  4. The number of students admitted to the program is limited by the college and hospital's ability to provide good clinical education and supervision. Students accepted into the program, which begins in the fall term, will be selected based on the following criteria:
    1. Personal interview with the Program Admissions Committee
    2. Overall grade point averageand grades in math and science courses.
    3. Medical background experience.
  5. Qualified applicants will be notified, in writing, of scheduled interviews.

Following the admission process, applicants will be notified of the result of their application in time to allow for registration for the fall semester.

If accepted into the program, each student will be required to submit to drug testing and background checks, at student's expense, prior to the clinical portion of the program. Findings or results may interfere with student clinical placement and/or program status. Each student will also have to provide documentation of immunizations as indicated on the Health Record form that will be given to the students in the fall semester.

What are the technical/academic standards for the program?

Students admitted to the Respiratory Care Technology program must be able to comply with the following performance standards as established by the Respiratory Care Technology Program Advisory Committee. These standards are based on the National Board for Respiratory Care Job Analysis Report.

  1. The RCT student must be able to review existing clinical data and collect additional pertinent clinical data for determining appropriateness of the prescribed respiratory care plan, and/or development of the respiratory care plan.
    1. The student must possess visual and reading skills to enable review of existing data in the patient record.
    2. The student must possess visual, auditory, and tactile sensory skills.
    3. The student must possess communication skills necessary to conduct patient interviews and explain planned therapy to the patient.
    4. The student must possess verbal and written skills to communicate information to appropriate members of the healthcare team.
  2. The RCT student must be able to select, assemble, operate, and assure cleanliness of all equipment used in providing respiratory care.
    1. The student must possess bilateral manual dexterity.
  3. The RCT student must be able to initiate, conduct, or modify respiratory care techniques in an emergency setting.
    1. The student must be able to make accurate observations, perceive events realistically, and think clearly, objectively and rationally.
  4. The RCT student must be able to meet the physical demands of an eight-hour clinical shift.
    1. The student must be able to lift or assist a patient onto a stretcher, lift medical gas "E" cylinders, and other medical equipment as needed.
    2. The student must be able to walk, or stand on feet, for extended periods of time.
    3. Due to limited physical space in some clinical practice areas, the student must be able to fit into small spaces (such as between the patient's bed and the equipment).

Transfer and Advanced Credit Policy

Advanced credit may be given to transfer students from another accredited respiratory care program if credits to be transferred correspond with the Respiratory Care curriculum at Jackson State Community College.

Readmission to the Program

If a student is not successful in completing the requirements to maintain a 2.0 GPA in any RCT course, he/she may reapply for admission into the program prior to the June 1 deadline. If the student is selected for readmission, he/she is required to repeat all RCT courses, regardless of the grade achieved previously.

If a student is dismissed from the program due to clinical misconduct as outlined in the clinical handbook, the student is not eligibile for readmission.