Respiratory Care (2148)
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| Program Website |
http://www.pbcc.edu/RespiratoryCare.xml
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| Program Description |
This degree program is designed for the student who wants to be employed as a respiratory care practitioner. Earning the A.S. degree in respiratory care enables the student to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registry Exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Graduates of this American Medical Association recognized and nationally accredited program have high employment success because of training in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation, pediatric life support, electrocardiography, pulmonary function technology and more.
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| Employment Opportunities |
Respiratory care is one of the fastest growing professions in the country and in Florida. PBCC graduates have enjoyed 100 percent job placement.
Respiratory care, also known as respiratory therapy, is an allied health profession that cares for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory therapists see a diverse group of patients ranging from newborn and pediatric patients to adults and the elderly. They bring help and relief to patients suffering from asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, infant respiratory distress syndrome, acute respiratory distress, congestive heart failure and conditions brought on by shock, trauma or post-operative surgical complications. Respiratory therapists also are involved in many specialty areas of the hospital such, as labor and delivery, neonatal pediatric and adult intensive care, pulmonary function laboratory, sleep centers, pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation, hyperbaric therapy, bronchoscopy and more. There are many opportunities outside of the hospital as well.
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| Career Path Notes |
This program transfers into PBCC’s Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management. For more information, see the web at www.pbcc.edu/BAS.xml.
Earning the A.S. degree in respiratory care enables the student to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registry Exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
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| Admission |
1. Special Application and Deadline(s)
A. Beginning program students: Attend mandatory group counseling session; complete program application prior to the deadline on the Respiratory Care application to be considered for eligibility in selection process.
B. Respiratory care technology transfer students: Arrange appointment with program director prior to application submission. Transcripts from college transferring from must be evaluated prior to placement consideration.
C. Other transfer students: Arrange appointment with program director prior to application submission. Advanced placement for previous experience and/or academic preparation may be considered. Competency testing may be required at the discretion of the program director for advanced placement or transfer requests.
2. Standard High School Diploma or GED
Proof of a standard high school diploma or a U.S. GED certificate must be submitted.
3. Transcripts
Official transcripts of high school and all previous college work must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office at the Palm Beach Gardens location.
4. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Cumulative grade point average must be at least 2.6 on a scale of 4.0 in previous college work attempted. The student must have at least 12 or more semester hours of college in order to use college GPA; otherwise, high school GPA will be used.
5. Placement Test Score
College Placement Test scores must meet minimum requirements for entrance into college-level English, math and reading courses or required remediation must have been successfully completed. Successful completion (C or higher) of a minimum three college credits for College Algebra and College English may be used in lieu of placement scores for the selection eligibility. Placement scores must be less than two years old.
6. Medical Exam
Once accepted into the program, applicants must submit a completed PBCC Allied Health Medical Examination Form documenting laboratory tests and immunizations completed by a medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), or physician assistant (PA). All accepted applicants for this program are strongly encouraged to be currently immunized against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Documentation of completion of or refusal to obtain Hepatitis B vaccine must be provided upon entrance into the program.
7. Background Checks and Drug Screening
Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to provide results of clear criminal background check and drug screening.
8. Program/Interview Counseling
Mandatory group counseling sessions are scheduled throughout the year at various locations of PBCC. These sessions offer the student guidance through the application process.
9. Special Notes
All professional courses (RET prefix) are taught in a sequence. Each RET course serves as the prerequisite for the subsequent course. Consequently, all professional courses must be taken in sequence. Failure to successfully complete a professional course with a grade of C or higher means the student may not advance to the next course in the program. The student may request to re-enter the program and take the course again at the next offering. Students wishing to repeat the course must request consideration in writing to the program director at least two months prior to the semester they wish to return. There is no guarantee of reinstatement to the program. Readmitted students may be required to repeat corequisite courses even if a grade of C was earned in the previous attempt. This is necessary to ensure that the student is current in his/her skills. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the program either passing or failing have no guarantee for readmission. Students dismissed from a clinical affiliate due to patient safety issues may NOT be eligible for readmission.
Respiratory Care Program Readmission Procedure
Students wishing consideration of readmission must petition in writing to the department chair/program director at least two months prior to the semester they wish to return. The following procedure is required:
1. At the time the student does not successfully complete a sequenced course, the department chair/program director conducts an exit interview/counseling session with the student to document the reason(s) for leaving and develop an action plan for remediation.
2. At least two months prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student wishes to re-enter, he/she must submit a request in writing to the department chair/program director. A copy of this letter is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office limited access admissions counselor.
3. Students who withdraw (“W”), regardless of academic status, from the program must make application for re-admittance to the Respiratory Care program one semester prior to requesting reentry to the program and no later than two years after dropping out.
4. Students who fail (“F”) or withdraw (“W”) must:
A. Make an application/written petition as described above.
B. Be interviewed by a review panel selected by the department chair, composed of Business Partnership Council members, clinical instructors, faculty and other PBCC staff.
5. All students who reapply for admittance to the program may be required to take challenge exams (cognitive, psychomotor and/or clinical) prior to readmission to help determine the point at which the student may be allowed to re-enter the program.
6. If any clinical affiliate refuses to allow a student privileges for their clinical internship due to theft, misconduct (including violations of the Code of Ethics) or negligence that may lead to patient harm, the student will not be allowed to continue.
7. Students who have two academic failures in two separate attempts to complete the program will not be considered for readmission.
8. If medical conditions were involved, written verification of good health and ability to function safely in clinical situations is required.
9. Students who withdraw, regardless of academic status, have no guarantee of readmittance to the program.
10. The student applicant will be notified in writing of the final program decision within seven working days.
Students are encouraged to complete as many General Education courses as possible prior to entering the program. Completion of co-requisite course work with a C or higher prior to beginning the program earns the applicant points towards the selection criteria. Required courses to be
completed prior to the program are BSC 2085/2085L Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab. Program graduates upon passing the NBRC examinations then apply for Florida state licensure to practice. Licensure in the state of Florida must meet Florida Department of Health, Board of Respiratory Care requirements. See program application packet for affidavit.
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| Completion Requirements |
Successfully complete all program requirements and all required courses with a grade of C or higher.
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| Program Length |
This is a two-year program beginning in August each year. It requires a full-time commitment.
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| Location |
The program is offered on the Palm Beach Gardens campus.
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| Financial Aid |
http://www.pbcc.edu/financialaid/
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| Application |
Students must complete a Respiratory Therapy Program Application (found on their website) in addition to the general PBCC application found at: www.pbcc.edu/AdmissionsApplications.xml.
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| Advising |
http://www.pbcc.edu/advising/
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| Career Center |
http://www.pbcc.edu/career
For more information about employment opportunities including job outlook and salary information visit:
Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
O-Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
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| For More Information |
Nancy Weissman, Ph.D., RRT
Department Chair/Program Director
Palm Beach Gardens Campus
LC 105
Office (561) 207-5068
Fax (561) 207-5011
E-Mail weissman@pbcc.edu
Stephanie Harwood, MBA, RRT
Faculty/Director of Clinical Education
Palm Beach Gardens Campus
LC 104
Office (561) 207-5064
Fax (561) 207-5011
Email harwoods@pbcc.edu
Michele Balik
Administrative Assistant
Palm Beach Gardens Campus
LC 126
Office (561) 207-5010
Fax (561) 207-5011
E-mail balikm@pbcc.edu
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For an individualized course sequence, please click here
To see when the course is offered, click the course number. To see a course description, click the course title.
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| Program Prerequisites |
Credits: 7 |
MAC1105
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College Algebra
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3
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BSC2085
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Anatomy and Physiology I
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3
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BSC2085L
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Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
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1
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| General Education |
Credits: 20 |
ARH1000
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Art Appreciation
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3
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-or- |
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MUL1010
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Music Appreciation
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3
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-or- |
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THE1000
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Theatre Appreciation
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3
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BSC2086
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Anatomy and Physiology II
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3
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BSC2086L
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Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
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1
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CHM1020
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Principles of Chemistry (or higher level Chemistry+) *
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3
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ENC1101
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College Composition I *
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3
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MCB2010
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Microbiology
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3
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MCB2010L
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Microbiology Laboratory
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1
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SYG2000
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Introduction to Sociology *
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3
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| Required Courses |
Credits: 49 |
PHY1001
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Applied Physics (or higher level physics++)
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3
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RET1272
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I
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9
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RET1272L
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I Laboratory
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3
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RET1273
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II
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6
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RET1273L
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II Laboratory
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2
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RET1874L
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Clinical Internship I
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1
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RET1875L
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Clinical Internship II
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3
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RET1876C
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Clinical Internship III
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4
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RET2280C
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy III
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7
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RET2534C
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Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Therapy IV
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7
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RET2877L
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Clinical Internship IV
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2
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RET2878L
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Clinical Internship V
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2
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| Total Program Credits: 76 |
*It is suggested that these courses be completed prior to program entry.
+CHM1025, CHM1045, CHM1046, CHM2210, CHM2211 or approved transfer credit.
++PHY2048, PHY2049, PHY2053, PHY2054 or approved transfer credit. |
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