Respiratory Therapy
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- Program
- Associate of Applied Science
- Admission Process
- Admission Deadlines
- Prerequisite Courses
- Goals of the Program
- What is a Respiratory Therapist
- Advisory Committee
- Professional Organizations and Accreditation
- Faculty and Staff
Program
The Associate Applied of Science in Respiratory Therapy is a program offered at South Arkansas Community College and area hospital clinical affiliates to prepare graduates as competent Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT). Respiratory Therapy is a specialty employed with medical direction in the treatment, management, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. The education of Respiratory Therapy students relates to the performance of diagnostic tests, the administration of therapeutic agents and procedures, the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the process and maintenance of the equipment involved in these procedures. The Respiratory Therapy graduate provides an essential link between the physician and the patient with abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.
SouthArk’s Respiratory Therapy program requires 35 hours of science-focused prerequisites followed by 35 semester hours of Respiratory Therapy education courses and 10 semester hours of Clinical Practice at area hospitals. The Respiratory Therapy program admits up to 12 students for each professional class. Upon successful completion of the course work, the graduate will receive the Associate Applied of Science degree and be eligible for the NBRC CRT exam. Following a successful passing score on the NBRC CRT exam and receipt of the AAS degree in Respiratory Therapy, the graduate will be eligible to sit for the NBRC RRT examination.
The Respiratory Therapy program at South Arkansas Community College holds Initial Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program that has Standards of Accreditation and been approved for a five year accreditation period. It is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) toward eligibility to the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). Enrolled students completing the program under Initial Accreditation are considered graduates of a CoARC accredited program.
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Associate of Applied Science – Respiratory Therapy Degree Checklist
Associate of Applied Science
Professional Courses COURSE SEM.HR.RESP 2003Cardiopulmonary Physiology and Pathophy3RESP 2013Patient Assessment3RESP 2112Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology2RESP 2113Respiratory Equipment3RESP 2122Respiratory Disease Pathology I2RESP 2123Therapeutic Assessment I3RESP 2133Respiratory Basic Skills3RESP 2223Clinical Practice I3RESP 2512Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care2RESP 2522Critical Care2RESP 2523Mechanical Ventilation3RESP 2532Home Care and Rehabilitation2RESP 2542Respiratory Disease Pathology II2RESP 2543Clinical Practice II3RESP 2553Therapeutic Assessment II3RESP 2612Professional Development2RESP 2614Clinical Practice III4Total Hours 45Professional courses are completed in four semesters. TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS 80
Basic Studies Requirements:
Reading – ACT 19 or above or ASSET 41 or above or COMPASS 82 or above or complete BSTD 0113 Reading Skills II. Students testing into basic studies reading are required to take the Nelson-Denny reading test for placement into the appropriate reading class.
Writing – ACT 19 or above or ASSET 42 or above or COMPASS 75 or above or complete BSTD 0213 Fundamentals of Writing II
Math – ACT 19 or above (or) ASSET Intermediate Algebra Skills 43 or above (or) COMPASS 71 or above (or) complete BSTD 0513 Intermediate Algebra.
SAS – A course required for all first-time, full-time degree-seeking students and students who test into two or more basic studies courses
If you are interested in further information regarding this program, contact:
Joan Gauthreaux, Program Director
South Arkansas Community College
300 South West Avenue, El Dorado AR 71730
Phone (870) 875-7286 (room 370) Fax (870) 864-7140
Admission Process
Applicants to the professional program MUST:
- 1. complete general admission procedures to the college
- 2. complete all necessary basic studies requirements according to placement tests as listed above
- 3. complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or above
- 4. have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- 5. have successfully completed the TEAS V exam with minimum acceptable scores as outlined by South Arkansas Community College Respiratory Therapy program
- 6. request and complete a Health and Natural Sciences application packet obtained from the Health and Natural Sciences advisor or the Respiratory Therapy program
- 7. submit three (3) letters of reference
- 8. students who have met all admission requirements and are being considered for acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy program must meet with the Respiratory Therapy Program Director and the Director of Cllinical Education
- 9. provide proof of current AHA CPR certification – Health Care Provider or Arkansas Department of Health approved equivalent course
- 10. submit an unencumbered drug screen and background check prior to entry into the professional program
- 11. If accepted into the Respiratory Therapy program, students are required to submit the following: a) proof of PPD skin test, IGRA test or chest x-ray (if positive PPD test) b) proof of hepatitis B immunization series or signed declination statement, c) proof of immunity to varicella. Proof of varicella may consist of : 1) proof of vaccination, 2) statement from physician verifying that the student had varicella or, 3) varicella antibody titer indicating immunity.
Student rank and selection is based on the following criteria: a) cumulative GPA, b) science GPA, c) TEAS V scores. Meeting the minimum requirements outlined above does not guarantee admission into the Respiratory Therapy Program.
South Ark’s Respiratory Therapy program requires 32 hours of science-focused prerequisites followed by 38 semester hours of Respiratory Therapy education courses and 10 semester hours of Clinical Practice at area hospitals. Twelve (12) students are admitted to the program annually. Upon successful completion of the course work, the graduate will receive the Associate Applied of Science degree and be eligible for the NBRC entry level exam (CRT) and the advanced practice level exam (RRT).
Admission Deadlines
To apply for admission to a HNS Professional Program, applicants must have completed:
- all basic studies requirements,
- all prerequisite classes (or be currently enrolled in) as specified in the SouthArk catalog for each professional program.
See SouthArk catalog for specifics regarding each program’s requirements and/or consult program advisor.
Program
Class Begins
Application Deadline
LPN – Spring Days and Warren
January, 2015
Spring Semester
September 25, 2014
By 5:00 p.m.
LPN -Evenings
January, 2016
Fall Semester
TBA
RN
January, 2015
Spring Semester
August 31, 2014
Surgical Technology
Fall Semester
2015
Currently Accepting Apps until filled
OTA
Summer Semester
2015
April 01, 2015
PTA
Summer Semester
2015
March 1, 2015
Radiologic Technology
Fall Semester
2015
March 30, 2015
EMT
Fall & Spring
Semester
No Application Process –
Open Enrollment Until Filled
Paramedic
August, 2013
Fall Semester
Applications Due
July 18, 2014
CNA
CNA Classes offered each Semester
Fall/Spring/Summer
Applications Available
until filled
Respiratory Therapy
Fall Semster
2015
April 28, 2015
Coding – HIT
August, 2014
No Application Process –
Open Enrollment Until Filled
Transcription – HIT
August, 2014
No Application Process –
Open Enrollment Until Filled
MLS
Fall Semester
2014
Applications Available until filled
Phlebotomy/EKG
Fall Semester
2014
Applications Available until filled
Prerequisite Courses
COURSE SEM.HR.ENGL 1113Composition I3BIOL 2064/LAnatomy & Physiology I4CHEM 1014/LChemistry I for Health Related Prof.4HIT 1003Medical Terminology3MATH 1023College Algebra3BIOL 2074/LAnatomy & Physiology II4MBIO 1124/LMicrobiology4ENGL 1123Composition II3PSYC 2003General Psychology3CSCI 1003Computers and Information Processing3RESP 1001Introduction to Respiratory Therapy1Total Hours 35
Goals of the Program
- To provide students with educational opportunities in respiratory therapy which will benefit them professionally as graduates and will prepare them to positively impact the medical community locally, regionally, and nationally.
- To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
- To serve as an intellectual and economic resource to the community and beyond by providing professional, skilled respiratory therapy graduates who are competent to practice respiratory therapy locally, regionally, and nationally.
- To prepare students to function as leaders in the field of respiratory therapy in order to provide employers, physicians, and the public a valuable, professional and competent health care resource.
What is a Respiratory Therapist
What is a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory Therapists, also known as Respiratory Care Practitioners, provide treatment, evaluation, monitoring, and management of patients with breathing disorders or cardiopulmonary problems. Care provided by Respiratory Therapists may include: oxygen therapeutics, ventilator management, administration of aerosol medications to the lungs, measurement of lung functions, and overall monitoring of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory Therapists treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants to elderly people with lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Therapists are also becoming involved in areas such as pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation counseling, disease prevention, case management, and polysomnography (the diagnosis of breathing disorders during sleep, such as apnea).
How do I become a Respiratory Therapist?
Following completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program, the student must then successfully pass the certification examination administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Upon passing the examination, the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will be governed by the licensure laws of the state in which they choose to practice.
Advisory Committee
Don Senterfitt, RRT
Director Respiratory Therapy
Medical Center of South Arkansas
700 West Grove Avenue
El Dorado AR 71770Rita Coker, RRT
Respiratory Manager
Homer memorial Hospital
620 East College
Homer LA 71040Shirley White
Director of Human Resources
Ashley County Medical Center
P O Box 400
Crossett AR 71635Gaye Brunson
Director Outpatient Services
Homer Memorial Hospital
620 East College
Homer LA 71040Public Member
Janna McCallars
1308 Wood Street
El Dorado, AR 71730
870-862-14279
Meagan Brooks
Respiratory Student
3073 Hwy 8 East
Hamburg, AR 71646
870-831-9501Mark Allman, RRT
Respiratory Therapist
Medical Center of South Arkansas
700 West Grove Avenue
El Dorado AR 71770Erin Carpenter
Respiratory Graduate
P.O. Box 604
Hampton, AR
870-918-8395
Professional Organizations and Accreditation
Professional Organizations
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
http://www.coarc.com
The National Board of Respiratory Care
http://www.armedicalboard.org
The National Board of Respiratory Care
http://www.nbrc.org
American Association for Respiratory Care
http://www.aarc.org
Accreditation
The Respiratory Therapy Program of South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado, holds an initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
Commission of Accreditation
for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835
Faculty and Staff
- Blake Nolan, BS, RRT, Program Director
- Chassidy Wyrick , Director of Clinical Education
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