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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
Attend a mandatory orientation in June.
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.
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.
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:
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
Attend a mandatory orientation in June.
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.
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.
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.
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.
