Respiratory Care is a career for highly motivated individuals seeking to apply their technical, scientific, and human relation skills in the fast-paced environment of health care. Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) are highly respected members of the health care team responsible for the prevention, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of people of all ages with lung and medical problems such as:
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Cystic fibrosis
Croup
Heart attack
Paralysis
Pneumonia
Drug overdose
Asthma
Postoperative complication
Stroke
Respiratory distress and failure
Available Programs
For program specific information click on the program below:
Associate of Applied Science
Respiratory Care
Respiratory care practitioners are responsible for the prevention, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients of all ages with deficiencies or abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The Respiratory Care program is designed to be completed in six (6) semesters on a full-time basis. The degree program consists of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses. To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the Applicant Information packet located on the webpage. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required and an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 is necessary for continuance in the program and graduation. Note: For students under age 18 there may be restrictions on participating in certain Health Sciences programs. Any student under age 18 must contact the program director/department chair to discuss whether he or she may enroll.
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Short-term Technical Certificate
Respiratory Care of the Newborn
Provides education to respiratory care practitioners to be oriented to neonatal respiratory care including history, fetal development, stabilization, evidence-based practices, and multi-disciplinary approaches. Includes respiratory devices employed for ongoing support of term and pre-term infants. Graduates will have a better knowledge of newborn resuscitation and stabilization. Student must be a licensed respiratory care practitioner.
Important Information about Health Sciences Programs: The Health Sciences (HS) Programs consist of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses. To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the program specific information packet located on each HS program's webpage.
It is very important that you meet with an Academic Advisor by calling 937-512-3700, or visiting Building 10, Room 301, to make sure you are scheduling the correct classes for your program choices. They can also direct you to financial services for any information you require about finances.
Why major in Respiratory Care?
Our program is specifically designed to provide you with the educational skill development and clinical experience to function under medical direction as a competent respiratory care practitioner. The coursework for this program ranges from human biology to pathophysiology and respiratory critical care to pediatrics.
Respiratory care practitioners' daily routine may involve:
Working with sophisticated equipment in the adult, pediatric, or newborn intensive care unit
Assisting patients in the recovery room or labor and delivery room
Administering drugs and breathing treatments
Performing pulmonary function testing,
Participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Providing rehabilitation to patients in the hospital, subacute facility, or home
And discussing patient care plans with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team.
The RCP may choose to expand their expertise to the areas of management, research, medical sales, or education.
Available Programs