Dec 14, 2024  
2024 - 2025 Catalog 
    
2024 - 2025 Catalog

Respiratory Care - AAS


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Program Code: AAS.20579

Respiratory Therapists in Michigan are licensed health care providers. In order to be licensed you must earn a minimum of an Associate degree and successfully complete National exams. As a Respiratory Therapist you will be qualified to assume primary clinical responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including responsibilities involved in the supervision of Certified Respiratory Therapist functions. The registered therapist is also capable of serving as a resource person to the physician with regard to current practices in respiratory care and to the hospital staff regarding effective and safe methods for administering respiratory care. Respiratory therapists who have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or its predecessors the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) are eligible to apply for registration by the National Board for Respiratory Care. The process consists of one written exam and clinical simulation. Applicants must pass both to be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Fall First Year:


Total Semester Credits: 12


Winter First Year:


Total Semester Credits: 12


Total Semester Credits: 13


Total Semester Credits: 14


Spring First Year Clinical:


Total Semester Credits: 3


Total Semester Credits: 16


Total Semester Credits: 16


Total Credits: 86


Notations


  1. Students must complete the Validation Application and receive a "Semester and Year of Validation" to be eligible to enter the program. It is recommended that this application be submitted during the final semester of pre-requisite courses. Validation is a process that allows the Registrar's Office to review and confirm that the student has completed pre-requisite courses and requirements of this program. 
  2. Validation requirements: 1) completion of prerequisite courses BIO 140W  & RT 100   with a “B” (3.0) minimum grade; 2) completion of HSC 105  with a “C” (2.0) minimum; 3) if BIO 152W  & BIO 153W  are taken instead of BIO 140W  a “C” (2.0) minimum grad is required; 4) During final semester of prerequisite courses students must submit the validation application to the Registrar’s Office.
  3. RT 100  has a prerequisite math requirement that Algebra must have been taken within the past 5 years.
  4. RT 100  may include a required job shadow experience to become validated. This may require that students complete an online training session, have proof of a negative TB tine test and other supporting documentation before gaining access to the agency.
  5. Students with prior respiratory therapy work experience may be eligible to waive or receive equivalent credit for some RT courses. Contact Respiratory Care program coordinator.
  6. The following courses are required for graduation and completion is strongly recommended prior to starting the clinical course sequence:  ENG 111 , ENG 113 , LW 221W , POL 103W , and PSY 211W .  These courses must be completed with a “C” (2.0) or better.
  7. Once validated, students must waitlist themselves each year during the Special Clinical Registration Period to be eligible to begin the program and to remain validated.  Failure to complete the waitlist process annually will result in removal from the validation list.  See the validation page on the website for more information and dates. 
  8. Following entry to the program via special clinical registration, students are required to complete health requirements including but not limited to 1) physical exam with completion of physical form, 2) current American Heart Association CPR certification for the healthcare provider/professional rescuer certification, 3) a successful ten (10) panel drug screen by the approved agency, 4) an annual TB skin test, 5) immunization records including MMR, Td/Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B or signed waiver, 6) an annual flu shot.  These requirements will be discussed at the required orientation along with submission instructions via an electronic storage and clinical placement system.  All certifications and immunizations must be up-to-date and remain current throughout the program.
  9. It is recommended that students meet with the RT program coordinator prior to validation to disclose any previous conviction, felony, misdemeanor, and/or traffic violation involving controlled substances.  All students are required to complete a Criminal Background Check following clinical entry registration.  Clinical sites may restrict students with a criminal record from being placed at the facility which could prohibit course completion and progression in the RT program.  Students should be aware that a felony/misdemeanor conviction may constitute grounds for ineligibility to sit for the RT licensure examination and/or obtain RT licensure in the state of Michigan.  Questions regarding RT state licensure can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense 
  10. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, students should plan for the following expenses following successful clinical entry: immunizations and CPR certification to meet health requirements, background check, drug screen, ACEMAPP registration, and appropriate laboratory and clinic attire including shoes, protective eyewear, name tags, two Self-Assessment Exams (total cost approximately $150), and fees for state licensure and the national board exam. Also, students will be required to attend one Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) seminar in the second year of the program.  Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from clinical sites and paying possible parking fees.  Students are responsible for paying the cost of any medical care that might be necessary if they are injured or become ill as a result of clinical practice activities.  The College does not provide insurance coverage for such situations.
  11. Respiratory Care courses are offered day hours only and generally must be taken together in the sequence shown.
  12. The Respiratory Care Student Handbook contains specific program policies, requirements, and information that you are required to comply with while enrolled in the program. All policies must be adhered to for progression in the program.
  13. Students must achieve a minimum “C” (2.0) grade in each Respiratory Care course to be eligible to continue in the program.
  14. Students who have a first course failure or withdrawal within the second or subsequent semester of their clinical program may be eligible to complete a request for reentry.  Reentry guidelines are published in the RT Student Handbook.
  15. Also see “Dual Degrees.”

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