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Respiratory Care - Bachelor

Respiratory Care - Bachelor

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Offered through Health Professions

@ Florissant Valley | Forest Park

This program prepares students for a career as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Students learn to assess, perform diagnostic tests, treat, and educate patients with cardiopulmonary disease. As a Bachelor of Science in respiratory care degree, this program additionally prepares future respiratory care leaders by including curricular content in management, education, research, and advanced clinical practice.

Overview of the Respiratory Care Profession

This program prepares 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). As a Bachelor of Science in respiratory care degree, this program additionally prepares leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objective related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research, and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization).

Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat and care for patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary disorders. A day in the life of a respiratory therapist might include:

Trio of students practice on a simulation patient

  • Assessing patients for lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment modalities.
  • Interviewing patients and performing physical examinations to determine what kind of therapy is best for the patient's condition.
  • Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on your evaluation of the patient.
  • Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who cannot breathe normally on their own.
  • Responding to Code Blue or other urgent calls for care.
  • Educating patients and families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery.

For more information about the respiratory care profession, visit be-an-rt.org and morerts.com.

Job Outlook and Salary

A career in respiratory care is one of the most in demand job fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations and the median annual wage of a respiratory therapist was $61,830 ($29.73/hour) in 2021.

Program Career and Salary Information

Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at scorecard.mo.gov. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.

The following limitations to the data apply - Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.

Overview of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program

Students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care will apply to the college as a degree-seeking student with intentions to obtain an Associate in Arts General Transfer Studies degree via the Health Science Pathway. The AA is 60 credit hours of oral/written communication, social/behavioral sciences, mathematics, biomedical/natural sciences, medical terminology, and biomedical ethics. 

Admission into the third year of the program (professional program) is selective – admission to the college does not guarantee entrance into the BSRC program. A maximum of 16 students will be admitted into the professional program each fall semester.

The professional program starts in the fall each year, is four semesters and an intervening summer, and is 60 credit hours. Students must attend the program full-time, and all courses must be taken at STLCC. To progress through the professional program, a student must maintain a grade of “C” or higher in each required course in the major. If a student receives a “D” or “F” grade in any required course, the student must re-apply for admission for the next academic year. More information can be found in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC), students must complete the 120 credit hours required as stated in this academic plan. Additional graduation requirements include completion of the AHA ACLS certification and a minimum of 20 professional credit points received throughout the program major. Please see the Respiratory Care Student Handbook for more information about these requirements.

Four-Year Academic Plan

Degree Requirements

AA General Transfer Studies – Health Science Pathway 60 credits
Professional Program Requirements 60 credits
Total 120 credits
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Admission Requirements to the Professional Program

Students must be admitted to both the college and to the program, requiring separate application processes. Admission into the professional program is selective – admission to the college does not guarantee entrance into the program. To apply to the program, a student must meet with an advisor to ensure the following have been met:

  1. Complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway
    • All AA – Health Sciences coursework must be completed with “C” or higher grades
    • The cumulative GPA of the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway must be a 2.5 or higher
    • Required science and math coursework completed within 5 years of the application date. Exceptions to this time frame can be made on case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Program Director.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) Admissions Requirements Checklist

Once the application is accepted, students will be notified of their placement on the admissions list via their STLCC email account. Students must complete the following to change their major to the BS in Respiratory Care degree:

  1. Completion of the remainder hours needed to obtain the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway
    • All required coursework must be completed with "C" or higher grades.
    • The cumulative GPA of the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway must be a 2.5 or higher
  2. Attend a mandatory orientation in June.
  3. Complete a criminal background check and drug screen.

Additional requirements for clinical courses (RC300, RC340, RC380, RC400, and RC450) include immunizations, TB testing, and AHA Basic Life Support certification. Detailed information on these requirements can be found in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

 

 

Applying to the BS in Respiratory Care program

STLCC’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program is a selective admission, college level program.

Each year 16 students who meet the application requirements are accepted into the professional portion (Year 3 and 4) of the program on a first come/first serve basis.

Students cannot apply until a minimum of 45 credit hours of the AA General Transfer Studies - Health Science Pathway has been completed with “C” or higher grades in each course. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher of this coursework must be met to apply.

Academic Advising

Prior to application, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to help plan courses and clarify program requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) Admissions Requirements Checklist

Admission Process

Once a student has completed a minimum of 45 credit hours of the AA - Health Science Pathway with “C” or higher grades and a minimum GPA of 2.5, the student must meet with an academic advisor to complete an application. Applications are submitted to the Program Coordinator Lindsay Fox at STLCC-RespiratoryCare@stlcc.edu and are accepted on a continuing basis. Students will be notified via their STLCC email on the status of their application.

Once the application is accepted, students will be notified of their placement on the admissions list via their STLCC email account. Students must complete the following to change their major to the BS in Respiratory Care degree:

  1. Completion of the remainder hours needed to obtain the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway
    • All required coursework must be completed with "C" or higher grades.
    • The cumulative GPA of the AA General Transfer Studies – Health Sciences Pathway must be a 2.5 or higher
  2. Attend a mandatory orientation in June.
  3. Complete a criminal background check and drug screen.

Additional requirements for clinical courses (RC300, RC340, RC380, RC400, and RC450) include immunizations, TB testing, and AHA Basic Life Support certification. Detailed information on these requirements can be found in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program, CoARC program #210050 at Forest Park holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). 

This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Additional Resources

American Association for Respiratory Care – professional organization
National Board for Respiratory Care Accreditation – credentialing

Respiratory Care Technical Skills and Competencies

Respiratory Care Practitioner's General Job Description

  • Utilizes the application of scientific principles for the identification, prevention, remediation, research and rehabilitation of acute or chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction thereby producing optimum health and function
  • Reviews existing data, collects additional data, and recommends obtaining data to evaluate the respiratory status of patients, develop the respiratory care plan, and determine the appropriateness of the prescribed therapy
  • Initiates, conducts, and modifies prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures such as:
    • administering medical gases, humidification and aerosols, aerosol medications, airway clearance therapy, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
    • providing support services to mechanically ventilated patients
    • maintaining artificial and natural airways
    • performing pulmonary function testing, hemodynamic monitoring and other physiologic monitoring
    • collecting specimens of blood and other materials
  • Documents necessary information in the patient’s medical record and on other forms, and communicates that information to members of the health care team
  • Obtains, assembles, calibrates, and checks necessary equipment
  • Uses problem solving to identify and correct malfunctions of respiratory care equipment
  • Demonstrates appropriate interpersonal skills to work productively with patients, families, staff and co-workers
  • Functions safely, effectively, and calmly under stressful situations
  • Maintains composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Prioritizes multiple tasks
  • Accepts directives, maintains confidentiality, does not discriminate, and upholds the ethical standards of the profession

Essential Functions: Physical and mental standards

The Respiratory Care Program requires agility and strength sufficient to move from room to room, lift and position patients, maneuver in small places, and perform clinical services. Students must possess gross and fine motor abilities as well as auditory, visual, and tactile acuity, which are required to assess health status and perform effective patient care. To achieve the necessary requirements for issuance of a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care, the graduate must meet technical skills with or without reasonable accommodations. Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations are encouraged to contact the Access Office to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. See the chart below for specific requirements by the Respiratory Care program.

Frequency: O = Occasionally (1-33%) F = Frequently (34-66%) C = Constantly (67-100%)

Physical Stamina Required (Description) Frequency Specify need for accommodation
Lift - up to 50 lbs. to assist moving patients, supplies, equipment.
lift - up to 200 lbs. when moving patients.

F

O

 
Stoop - adjust equipment. F  
Kneel - manipulate equipment, perform CPR, plug in electrical equipment. O  
Reach - overhead lights, equipment, cabinets attach oxygen to outlets, stocking. C  
Motor skills, manual dexterity - small and large equipment for storing, moving; apply sterile gloves; take BP; operate computers; perform CPR; utilize syringes, tubes, catheters; set up and maintain sterile field. C  
Stand for prolonged periods of time (to deliver therapy, check equipment and patient; perform surgical procedures). C  
Climb Stairs to respond quickly to an emergency on another floor when elevators are unavailable or full. O  
Feel - palpate pulses; perform physical exams; feel arteries or veins for puncture; assess skin temperature. C  
Push/Pull large wheeled equipment, i.e. mechanical ventilators, wheelchairs, patients, x-ray, equipment, EKG machines, and office equipment. C  
Walk for extended periods of time. C  
Walk quickly or run to respond to emergency calls or assist in critically ill patient transports. O  
Manipulate - knobs, dials associated with diagnostic or therapeutic devices; small instruments, syringes. C  
Respond - verbal directions, alarms, telephone; hear through a stethoscope for heart sounds, lung sounds, and blood pressure. C  
Assess - patient conditions such as skin color, work or breathing; read small print and calibration on equipment; perceive color. C  
Communicate - goals and procedures to patients in English. C  
Communicate - pertinent information (patient assessment, outcome assessments) in English. C  
Comprehend - typed, handwritten, computer information in English. C  
Mental Attitude (Description)    
Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations. C  
Maintain composure and concentration while managing multiple tasks simultaneously. C  
Prioritize multiple tasks. C  
Social skills necessary to interact with patients, families, co-workers - of same or different cultures; respectful, polite, discrete; able to work as a team. C  
Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close contact during direct patient care. C  
Display actions, attitudes consistent with ethical standards of the profession. C  
Exposure to blood borne pathogens - Hepatitis, HIV. F  
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The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. The information on outcomes of all accredited programs can be found at https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/.

Estimated expenses in addition to your tuition and fees

  • ~$1,500 for textbooks (professional portion of program only)
  • $300-350 for supplies (lab coat, scrubs, stethoscope, second-hand watch, personal protective equipment, etc.)
  • $13.80 for a criminal background check (price increases with additional residences)
  • $28.80 for drug testing
  • $27.50 for compliance tracking through CastleBranch
  • Physical examination and immunizations (cost varies)
  • $109 for American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support course at STLCC
  • $300-350 for American Heart Association ACLS course
  • $150 for Trajecsys Clinical Tracking System
  • $25/year for AARC Early Professional Membership

For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.

Lindsay Fox, Program Coordinator
lfox40@stlcc.edu

Blake Anyan, Clinical Coordinator
banyan@stlcc.edu

Danielle Gutierrez, Adjunct Instructor
dferguson74@stlcc.edu

Dr. Kurtis Sobush, Medical Director
ksobush@stlcc.edu

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