Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Respiratory Care Technology - A.A.S.


For more information on this program, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

This program prepares students to become Respiratory Therapists at the Advanced Practitioner level. Respiratory Therapists work under the supervision of a physician to assess, treat, and manage all patient populations who have cardiopulmonary-related issues. Therapists are typically employed within the hospital, clinic and home-care setting, and may also be employed within diagnostic labs with further training. 

After fulfilling the college admission requirements, students are required to complete all of the general education courses as outlined, with the exception of Anatomy and Physiology II, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, prior to beginning the program in the spring. Students may complete AHC 115* as a recommended optional course. Students are required to submit an application to the Respiratory Care program by the October 1st deadline.  Formal screening for program admission is conducted in November. Classes begin in the spring and seating is limited. The RESP program consists of a total of four full-time semesters. The last semester meets one day a week in addition to clinical rotations. 

Interested students should contact the Health Sciences Division for an information packet. For more information about the program, refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees section for Respiratory Care at https://www.volstate.edu/academics/health-sciences/respiratorycare/courses. 

Licensure requirements for respiratory therapists vary according to state statutes. In Tennessee, practitioners are required to pass the national examinations for certified and/or registered respiratory therapist respectively.

Students must complete the general education courses prior to acceptance into the program.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP). More information can be found at http://www.volstate.edu/Testing/Services.php.

General Education Requirements - Credits (17)


Total Degree Requirements - Credits (71)


Computer Literacy Requirement


See http://www.volstate.edu/ComputerLiteracy/ for Computer Literacy Requirements

Career and Salary Information


The salary for a first year graduate may vary.  Typically, first year RRT graduates average a base pay of approximately $22+ per hour.  With the addition of shift differential, graduates may average more.  The median annual salary for a Respiratory Therapist is approximately $50,000 according to the U.S. Department of Labor at http://www.onetonline.org/.  The percent of projected growth in the job market is faster than average at 11% to 19% for 2012-2022.  Salaries are not guaranteed. 

Career Median Annual Salary in Tennessee Median Annual Salary Nationwide
Respiratory Care Therapist $50,010 $59,710

 

Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (13)


  • Social/Behavioral Sciences (Any Except GEOG - See General Education Requirements in Catalog - ) Credits: (3)