Respiratory Care, AAS
Attendance at an Information Session is mandatory for all Health Science programs prior to applying.
Accreditation
North Central State College’s Respiratory Care Program (Program Number 200335) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. www.coarc.com.
- “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.”
- Program Outcomes can be viewed by accessing CoARC’S outcomes webpage at the link below.
- https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Please note, you will scroll to the bottom of the COARC page linked above. You will then click on the blue rectangle on the far right side labled “Map of Program Outcomes”
According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), Respiratory Care is: “a healthcare specialty under medical direction in the assessment, treatment, management, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.” There are more than 185,000 respiratory care practitioners in the United States. Respiratory Therapists are members of the allied healthcare team.
In a recent study conducted by the AARC, seventy‐five percent of respiratory care practitioners work in hospitals side‐by‐side with physicians and nurses as a vital part of the health care team. They work in intensive care, the emergency department, medical‐surgical floors, and labor and delivery. The additional twenty‐five percent of practicing therapists work in laboratories, home care settings, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, in sales, education and research. Respiratory therapists are highly motivated individuals. They are intelligent, caring, able to employ critical thinking skills, and are willing to grow with the profession. You may learn more about the Respiratory Care profession by contacting the AARC or the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care.
What to Expect
The Respiratory Care program of North Central State College provides the student with a strong background in the use of respiratory equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiology. The student receives direct hands‐on patient care experience in various hospitals and facilities throughout their clinical education.
Graduates are eligible and well‐prepared to begin the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examination process to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist and to attain the Respiratory Care license in the state of Ohio. North Central State College re‐confirms the position of total support through human resources and fiscal measures towards the accreditation process.
Contact Information
Enrollment in the Respiratory Care program is limited. There is a special admission procedure. Please contact the Admissions Office at 419‐755‐4761 or the Health Sciences Office at 419‐755-4805 for details.
The Respiratory Care department publishes a student handbook which delineates specific department/program policies which are not explained in the general catalog. The specific policies as described in the department’s student handbook take precedence over any general policy outlined in the College catalog. A copy of the handbook is available for review in the Admissions Office. An acceptable health physical and verification of immunizations/immunities are required. A Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) report/FBI background check and drug screening are required in order to enter the technical (RESP) clinical sequence.
The Respiratory Care program contains a sequence of technical (RESP) classes that begin in the Fall Semester each year. Entrance into this sequence is limited to students who have successfully completed the entrance requirements. Copies of the entrance requirements are available from the Admissions Office. Persons who are currently Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians by the National Board for Respiratory Care may apply for advanced standing in the program. A minimum grade of 77% is required in BIOL 1730, BIOL 1550, CHEM 1030, ENGL 1010, STAT 1010, and all RESP classes in order to meet prerequisite and graduation requirements.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for successful completion of this program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Upon completion of the program, students will comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their roles as registered respiratory care therapists.
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate technical proficiency in all the skills necessary to fulfill their roles as an registered respiratory care therapist.
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate professional behavior consistent with employer expectations as an registered respiratory care therapist.
Where You Could Go
Employment settings include hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care, physicians’ offices, education organizations, and research facilities. With further training, graduates can specialize in polysomnography, echocardiography, vascular studies, cardiac/exercise stress testing, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), and transportation.
NC State has over 40 agreements with four year colleges and universities, to provide a smooth transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Through university partnerships, some four-year courses are also offered on the NC State campus or online.
Job Demand
NC State graduates in respiratory care consistently score very high on the state required licensure exam.
While enrolled in the program, students can obtain limited permits to practice through the Ohio Respiratory Care Board, the state licensing board for this field. Students’ lab fees include membership in the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care (OSRC) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
Out of State Licensure Information
North Central State College offers courses, that with successful completion of the program, may potentially lead to professional licensure, registration or certifications. Licensure, registration or certification may be global, national or state-specific. Click here to see a state specific listing (PDF).
If you currently live in a state other than Ohio or intend to move to a state other than Ohio and use the education completed at North Central State College to sit for such an exam, be aware there may be additional requirements. Please contact the appropriate administering body for specific questions. You will also need to keep our registrar informed of any address changes post-graduation.
Our Goal
Program Outcomes
$49,000 - $61,000*
These estimated earnings are for employees who have completed their associate degree in Respiratory Care. Career advancement is available if you transfer your credits toward a bachelor’s degree. As experience and education increase, you can expect to earn significantly more during your career.
For more information on regional jobs and pay, go to NC State’s Career Coach, opens in a new window page.
*Earnings figure is based on EMSI employment information for north central Ohio.
$25,412 - $12,690 = $12,722 in net cost*
The calculation above includes the following:
- The estimated current cost of tuition, fees and books to complete this two-year associate degree at NC State is $25,412.
- Minus the average amount of financial aid ($6,690 x 2 years) students received. NOTE: Your financial aid could be higher or lower than this average.
- Leaving just $12,722 to be funded by other sources — which may include additional scholarships, grants and loans. Many students opt for payment plans to avoid debt. Employed students should inquire with their employers about the possibility of reimbursement for educational expenses.
Three out of four NC State graduates have $0 college debt. We will work with you to explore every source of financial aid available.
*These figures were calculated using data available when this information was published.
$47,336*
Estimated cost of two years of instruction and attendance at a four-year public institution in Ohio.
$86,064*
Estimated cost of two years of instruction and attendance at a four-year private institution in Ohio.
*This estimate is an average of the cost including room and board for residential students.
Year One
Fall Semester
BIOL 1730 - Basic Anatomy and Physiolo
This course presents the basic terms and concepts that deal with the structure and processes of the human body. It involves examination of the body as a whole, the cell, and tissues. The basic structure and physiology of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems are presented. Laboratory exercises enhance and support the lecture topics and include microscopy, the study of models, specimen dissection, cadaver study, and physiological experiments. Day - F, Sp Evening - F, Sp
CHEM 1030 - Chemistry
The course is to give the Allied Health and Nursing student an appreciation and understanding of general inorganic chemistry. Includes atomic and molecular structure, molecular forces, properties and states of matter, naming of chemical compounds, types and behaviors of solutions, types of reactions, acid base chemistry, carefully chosen organic topics with their applications to specific health problems. Laboratory exercises will enhance and reinforce lecture topics. (OTM approved course in Natural Sciences TMNS)
RESP 1110 - Respiratory Care Equipment and Procedures I
In this course students will learn techniques and procedures for providing basic respiratory care: assessment, communication, body mechanics, medical gas supply systems, oxygen therapy, special gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, oxygen analysis, pulse oximetry, blenders, lung expansion therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene (including coughing techniques), sterilization/infection control procedures, manual resuscitators, use of chest tubes, and basic pulmonary function testing. Semesters available: Day - F
RESP 1140 - Pharmacology
This course is a study of those drugs directly and indirectly affecting therapeutic management of cardiopulmonary patients and includes pharmacologic principles, administration of drugs, drug mixing calculations, and major cardiopulmonary drug therapy used by the respiratory therapy technician and therapist. Additional systemically administered drugs are discussed in reference to their effect on the cardiopulmonary system. In order to successfully complete the course the student will be required to pass a written examination (Drug Proficiency Exam) on Respiratory Care pharmacologic agents with a 77%.
RESP 1190 - Practicum I
This is a clinical course. The student will be assigned to a hospital 8 hours per week for eight weeks (64 total hours) to work under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor. This is an introductory clinical experience for the student to the practice respiratory care skills the student obtained in RESP 1110. The student will perform direct patient care by evaluating patients' medical records, assessing patients' oxygen therapy needs, practice administration/assessment of medical gas therapy, humidity/aerosol therapy, perform oxygen analysis, perform sterilization/infection control procedures, perform hyperinflation therapy, and bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques on patients. The student may be involved in emergency medical procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of manual resuscitators. Semesters available: Day - F
Spring Semester
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I
This is a basic course in expository writing and critical reading. Students read a variety of nonfiction works and write summaries, analysis, essays, and a researched argument in response to their reading. Students learn to read actively and accurately and to organize, develop, and revise coherent papers appropriate for a college-educated audience. (OTM for First Writing Course TME001)
RESP 1220 - Respiratory Care Equipment & Procedure II
In this course students will learn techniques and procedures for providing advanced respiratory care: airway management (to include oral/nasal airways, intubation, tracheostomy tubes, cuff inflation, and suctioning), noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, capnography, arterial blood gas analysis, and adult mechanical ventilation (to include indications, hazards, initial set-up, modes, monitoring, troubleshooting, and weaning.) An introduction to patient death, dying, and quality of life issues is included.
RESP 1250 - Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology
This course is a study of the physic principles as they apply to cardio-pulmonary physiology, anatomy of the lungs and heart, the mechanics of ventilation and pulmonary circulation, airway resistance, hemodynamics, lung compliance, and the non-uniform distribution of ventilation and perfusion. Gas Laws and other mathematical equations will be studied and applied to the cardiopulmonary system. Oxygen transport and Carbon Dioxide transport are also covered in detail. Semesters available: Day - F
RESP 1270 - Physician's Seminar I
This course is a discussion course focused on problem based learning of patient care. The course aides the student by relating previous and current laboratory, classroom, and clinical experiences into a more meaningful perspective of total patient care. Physician, faculty, and students present real patient cases to the class from their own clinical experience. Class discussion focuses on patient assessment, diagnostic laboratory testing, and analysis to rule out a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan with follow up assessment of therapy for effectiveness. Physician led discussion of medical topics such as: taking a patient history, past medical history, social history, assessing chief complaint, physical examination, evaluation of chest and upper airways, radiologic interpretation, special procedures, mechanical ventilation, differential diagnostic procedures, ethical-legal issues, pathology, pharmacologic intervention, and other related material are presented during the term. In this course, disease processes are explored in depth as to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapeutics, prognosis, and respiratory involvement. Semesters available: Day - Sp
RESP 1290 - Practicum II
This is a practicum course. The student will be assigned to a hospital 12 hours per week for 13 weeks (156 total hours) to work under the direct supervision of a practicum instructor. This is a continuation of RESP 1190. This course provides practicum experience for the student to the practice respiratory care skills the student obtained in RESP 1110. The student will perform direct patient care by evaluating patients' medical records, assessing patients' oxygen therapy needs, practice administration/assessment of medical gas therapy, humidity/aerosol therapy, perform oxygen analysis, perform sterilization/ infection control procedures, perform hyperinflation therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques on patients, airway management, bronchopulmonary hygiene, lung expansion therapy, intermittent aerosolize therapy via different modalities, dispensing respiratory pharmacologic agents, arterial blood gas punctures and analysis, and airway management techniques. The student may be involved in emergency medical procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of manual resuscitators. Seminar time is provided at campus. Semesters available: Day - Sp
Summer Semester
RESP 2310 - Respiratory Care Equipment & Procedures III
This course is a continuation of RESP 1210 and has instruction and laboratory application in adult critical care procedures such as: advance assessment in respiration of oxygen and carbon dioxide, hemodynamic monitoring, high frequency ventilation, and nitric oxide administration. The course transitions the student from the adult critical care experience to the neonatal and pediatric clinical settings focusing on infant and pediatric mechanical ventilation, ventilation techniques, CPAP, Bi-Level ventilation, Nitric oxide therapy, therapeutic procedures, and equipment specific to the neonatal and pediatric setting. The course will cover neonatal and pediatric pathologies such as HMD, BPD, CHD, Asthma, Meconium Aspiration, SIDS, and CF. Semesters available: Day - Su
RESP 2330 - Advanced Life Support Procedures
This course consists of the American Heart Association's Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). When the student successfully completes this course they will be issued certification cards for each discipline from the America Heart Association. The course is taught by certified AHA instructors. The laboratory hours are arranged. The course will be offered during the term as three separate modules, each two days (approximately 16 hours) dates and times to be announced. Semesters available: Day - Su
RESP 2390 - Practicum III
This is a practicum course. The student will be assigned to a hospital 16 hours per week for 10 week (160 total hours) to work under the direct supervision of a practicum instructor. This is a continuation of RESP 1290. This course provides practicum experience for the student to the practice respiratory care skills the student obtained in RESP 1220. The student will perform direct patient care in an ICU setting evaluating patients' medical records, assessing patients' oxygen therapy needs, practice administration/assessment of medical gas therapy, humidity/aerosol therapy, perform oxygen analysis, perform sterilization/infection control procedures, perform hyperinflation therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques on patients, airway management, bronchopulmonary hygiene, lung expansion therapy, intermittent aerosolize therapy via different modalities, dispensing respiratory pharmacologic agents, arterial blood gas punctures and analysis, mechanical ventilation, and airway management techniques including extubation. The student may be involved in emergency medical procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of manual resuscitators. Seminar time is provided at campus. Semesters available: Day - Su
STAT 1010 - Probability and Statistics
This course provides the student with an overview of probability and statistics. Probability terminology, concepts and rules are emphasized in solving probability problems. Descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, charts, tables and diagrams are used to summarize data. The student is introduced to the binomial, Poisson, hyper-geometric, normal and t-distributions. Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and linear regression are used to make conclusions concerning population parameters from sample data. This course meets the requirements for OTM Introductory Statistics TMM010.
Year Two
Fall Semester
BIOL 1550 - Microbiology for Health Professionals
This course is designed for allied health and nursing majors. It explores the major groups of microorganisms and the role they play in the environment and in disease. The host-parasite relationship, human immunity to disease, epidemiology, and the control of microorganisms are also addressed. Laboratory exercises provide the student with the basic techniques of microbial identification, microscopy, sterile technique, and basic infection control. (OTM approved course for Natural SciencesTMNS) Day - F, Sp Evening - F
COMM 1010 - Speech
This course involves instruction and experience in giving a presentation. Students are taught the principles of speech content and delivery so that they can effectively participate in a variety of practical speaking situations. Presentations will include the informative speech, persuasive speech, visual aid/demonstration speech, impromptu speech, and group presentation. (OTM for Oral Communication TMCOM and TAG# OCM013)
RESP 2410 - Respiratory Care Equipment & Procedures IV
In this course, students will learn about advanced pulmonary function testing techniques and equipment, electrocardiograms, breathing exercises, pulmonary and cardiac exercise testing, bronchoscopy, polysomnography, indirect calorimetry, pulmonary rehabilitation, and home care. Semesters available: Day - F
RESP 2470 - Physician's Seminar II
This course is a discussion course focused on problem based learning of patient care. The course aides the student by relating previous and current laboratory, classroom, and clinical experiences into a more meaningful perspective of total patient care. Physician, faculty, and students present real patient cases to the class from their own clinical experience. Class discussion focuses on patient assessment, diagnostic laboratory testing, and analysis to rule out a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan with follow up assessment of therapy for effectiveness. Physician led discussion of medical topics such as: taking a patient history, past medical history, social history, assessing chief complaint, physical examination, evaluation of chest and upper airways, radiologic interpretation, special procedures, mechanical ventilation, differential diagnostic procedures, ethical-legal issues, pathology, pharmacologic intervention, and other related material are presented during the term. In this course, disease processes are explored in depth as to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapeutics, prognosis, and respiratory involvement. Semesters available: Day - F
RESP 2490 - Practicum IV
This is a practicum course and is a continuation of RESP 2390. The student will be assigned to a hospital 12 hours per week for 13 weeks (156 total hours) to work under the supervision of a practicum instructor. six weeks will be spent in adult critical care and seven weeks will be spent in neonatal and pediatrics setting. This course provides a more intense look at adult mechanical ventilation focusing on the understanding of pathophysiology of the critical care patient as it applies to mechanical ventilation and critical care procedures. The student will learn to assess and troubleshoot mechanical ventilators, assess patient outcomes, analyze and apply mechanical ventilator techniques to adapt to the patient's pathophysiological needs. As a part of this practicum experience the student will perform an intubation rotation in a surgical environment under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. The course covers practical application in a pediatric hospital performing practicum procedures as they relate to the neonatal/pediatric patient including assessment, oxygen therapy, humidity/aerosol therapy, aerosolized medication delivery methods, airway management and suctioning, oximetry, apnea monitoring, conventional mechanical ventilation, CPAP, High Frequency Oscillation, and weaning procedures. The student may be involved in emergency medical procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of manual resuscitators. Seminar time is provided at campus. Semesters available: Day - F
Spring Semester
COMM 2070 - Intercultural Communication
Course explores the dynamic role intercultural communication plays in today's ever complex and changing world. Intercultural communication will be viewed through the lenses of individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal/cultural perspectives to help students understand the context of both their own behavior and the behavior of others. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010 - Speech ). Semesters Available: Based on need.
RESP 2570 - Respiratory Care Administration
This course is a study of the responsibilities of the respiratory therapy supervisor/administrator to include staffing, scheduling, maintenance of equipment and supplies, policy and procedure, budget preparation, meetings, department reports, department planning and organization, quality assurance monitoring of patient care, JCAHO accreditation regulations, emergency preparedness, motivational theory, ethical and legal implications of practice, contemporary issues affecting health care, preparing a resume, and review of the Ohio Respiratory Care law: HB 4761. Semesters available: Day - Sp
RESP 2590 - Practicum V
This is a practicum experience course and is a continuation of RESP 2490 - Practicum IV . This rotation is 36 hours per week for 5 weeks (180 total hours). A faculty advisor is assigned to the student and they work together to set up the student's practicum experience. The student will be assigned to a health care facility to work under the supervision of a licensed respiratory care professional. The student may be assigned to various areas of respiratory care which may focus on therapeutics, critical care, emergency medicine, diagnostic, and rehabilitation. The faculty advisor will regularly visit and collaborate with the student's employer supervisor to provide feedback and evaluations to the student. Semesters available: Day - Sp
RESP 2599 - Respiratory Care Review
This course is a review of respiratory care in preparation for the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination, Written Registry Examination, and the Clinical Simulation Examination. The student will become familiar with the NBRC Examination Matrix and testing format for each of the national examinations. In order to successfully complete the course requirements, the student will be required to successfully complete, (based upon the minimum passing limit, MPL), and Entry Level Staff Assessment Examination produced by the NBRC. Semesters available: Day - Sp
Total Credit Hours: 65
Humanities Electives
Courses
HIST 1010 - American History I
This American Studies course is an introductory survey course covering the development of American politics, law, religion, philosophy, art and literature from 1600 to 1877. The goal of the course is to help students understand the cultural development of the United States especially in relation to its religion, art, philosophy, law, and political system. (TAG# OHS043 or if combined with HIST1030 OHS010. This course also meets the requirements for the OTM Arts and Humanities - TMAH)
HIST 1050 - Western Civilization I
This course presents an overview of European civilization from antiquity to about the year 1600, stressing the chief political, social, cultural, and religious developments within this span of time. This class will help students gain a better understanding of the historical narrative of European civilization, particularly as it relates to political institutions and structures and social and cultural developments; develop improved textual interpretation skills through the careful reading and discussion of ancient and medieval texts; and refine their ability to express ideas and produce convincing arguments through writing essays and short paper.
HUMA 1010 - Introduction to the Humanities
This course is a genre-based introduction to the humanities and the fine arts. The student will explore the six major means of artistic expression within the fine arts: painting, literature, drama, film, photography, and sculpture. The course focuses on an understanding of the genre itself as well as the various critical theories that apply to the fine arts, including but not necessarily limited to mimesis, formalism, didacticism, and postmodernism. Field trips are required in the course. This course meets the requirements for OTM in Arts and Humanities TMAH.
MUSC 1010 - Music Appreciation
Develop listening skills used for understanding elements of musical style in a historical perspective and the significance of music as fine art.
PHIL 1110 - Ethics
This course involves an examination of several ethical theories, including ethical relativism, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, social contract ethics, theological ethics, and rational ethics. Subjects covered may include the ethics of nuclear war, the ethics of suicide, ethical issues in abortion, the ethics of euthanasia, ethical issues in genetic engineering, sexual ethics, racism and sexism, capital punishment, ethics and the environment and so on. This course meets the requirements for OTM Arts and Humanities TMAH and slso TAG# OAH046.