Respiratory Care Technology Major
Contact Information
Cathy Garner
731-424-3520 ext. 235
cgarner@jscc.edu
Program and Career Description
Respiratory Therapists are the health care specialists who work under the direction of a physician and assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Respiratory Therapists work with infants, children, adults, and the elderly in hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, home care and physicians’ offices. Students enrolled in the Respiratory Care Technology program will learn the latest respiratory care techniques, get to use advanced technology, and get on-the-job experience through clinical courses. Students successfully completing the program are eligible for the credentialing exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care and for licensure in Tennessee.
| Career | Beginning Salary Range with AAS | Experienced Salary Range | Projected % Job Growth Through 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapists | $28,600 to $32,000 | $38,100 to $48,800 | 35% |
Statistics are based on state averages from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System. Salaries are not guaranteed.
Accreditation Information
The Associate of Applied Science Respiratory Care Technology Major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, TX, 76021 800-874-5651). Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Program Requirements
(Students may require additional Basic and Developmental courses.)
Communication Requirement
ENGL 1010 English Composition I
Choose ONE Humanities Course
ART 1010 Art History I
ART 1020 Art History II
ART 1030 Art Appreciation
COM 1030 Intro to Film
ENGL 2111 American Lit: Pre-Colonial - 1865
ENGL 2121 American Lit: 1865 - Present
ENGL 2210 British Lit: Beginnings - 1785
ENGL 2220 British Lit: 1785 - Present
ENGL 2310 World Lit: Beginnings - 1650
ENGL 2320 World Lit: 1650 - Present
HUM 1010 Introduction to the Humanities I
HUM 1020 Introduction to the Humanities II
MUS 1030 Music Appreciation
PHIL 1030 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2110 Introduction to Ethics
THEA 1030 Introduction to Theatre
Choose ONE Social and Behavioral Science Course
PSY 101 General Psychology I
PSY 102 General Psychology II
Natural Science Course
BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Additional Course (Choose ONE)
MATH 1410 Topics in Contemporary Mathematics I
MATH 1530 Statistics and Probability
MATH 1630 Finite Mathematics
Major Required Courses
BIOL 2020 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
CHEM 1030 Intro to Chemistry or
PSCI 1020 Survey of Physical Science II
RCT 110 Intro to Respiratory Care
RCT 113 Foundation of Respiratory Care
RCT 114 Respiratory Care Science I
RCT 115 Respiratory Care Science II
RCT 116 Cardiorespiratory Pharmacology
RCT 117 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology\
RCT 214 Clinical Practice I
RCT 225 Clinical Practice II
RCT 234 Clinical Practice III
RCT 242 Prenatal and Pediatric Resp. Care
RCT 248 Airway Management
RCT 249 Respiratory Care Symposium
RCT 250 Foundation of Respiratory Care II
RCT 252 Foundation of Respiratory Care III
The Associate of Applied Science Respiratory Care Technology Major requires 72-73 college level credits. This is a career program which was granted an exception to the 60 hour limit requirement reached through Tennessee Board of Regents consensus. The exception was granted due to additional hours needed to adequately cover the necessary learning outcomes and/or to meet national accreditation agency requirements. Some courses have prerequisites and co-requisites. See JSCC Academic Catalog and Student Handbook for further information.
Sample Schedule
| First Year | Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2010 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| CHEM 1030 or PSCI 1020 | Intro to Chemistry or Survey of Physical Science II | 3-4 |
| RCT 110 | Intro to Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RCT 114 | Respiratory Care Science I | 3 |
| RCT 117 | Cardiopulmonary A&P | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15-16 |
| First Year | Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2020 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| MATH | Mathematics Course | 3 |
| RCT 113 | Foundation of Respiratory Care I | 4 |
| RCT 115 | Respiratory Care Science II | 3 |
| RCT 116 | Cardiorespiratory Pharmacology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 17 |
| First year | Summer Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RCT 214 | Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| RCT 248 | Airway Management | 3 |
| RCT 250 | Foundation of Respiratory Care II | 4 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 13 |
| Second Year | Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1010 | English Composition I | 3 |
| RCT 225 | Clinical Practice II | 6 |
| RCT 242 | Perinatal & Pediatric Resp. Care | 3 |
| RCT 252 | Foundation of Respiratory Care III | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| Second Year | Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 101 or PSY 102 | General Psychology I or General Psychology II | 3 |
| RCT 234 | Clinical Practice III | 6 |
| RCT 249 | Respiratory Care Symposium | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Respiratory Care Technology Faculty recommend students take CIS 101 Software Applications and HSC 100 Basic Life Support. These courses are not required for graduation from this program.