Associate Degree Program - Harrisburg
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC),1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244, (817) 283-2835

Respiratory therapists provide the hands-on care that helps people recover from a wide range of medical conditions. Therapists get to know their patients, and their patients’ families, and have the opportunity to help them through trying times. Whenever breathing is an issue, they are there.  Graduates are eligible to become registered respiratory therapists (RRT) after completion of the national credentialing examination.

About the career

If you are a pre-respiratory student at HACC and have not already met with the program director, Professor Leidich, please email him to schedule your appointment. Provide your name and  HACCid. Meeting with him is a requirement for the program. (See Admission Criteria for additional information.)

Courses required/suggested schedule   includes sample time commitment (pdf) rev 5/12
Program revision information - January 31, 2010 - please read!

Estimated Expenses (pdf) 5/11
Admission Criteria and Point System, Essential Qualifications and Shadowing Form (pdf) rev 3/12
Policies Affecting Program Admission

CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) Outcomes data from the 2011 Annual Report of Current Status (RCS). Includes attrition, job placement and success on the credentialing exam. Note that in Pennsylvania, HACC has the second highest success rate (94%) for the RRT exam (one graduate has not scheduled the exam yet).  HACC has the second highest pass rate in PA on the national registry exams (94%) and is in the top 5% of programs nationally.

Respiratory Fall 2012 clinical application is completed ON-LINE using Survey Monkey (deadline May 1).

Selective program. Admission to the college doesn't guarantee admission to the clinical component of the program. You will be admitted as a pre-respiratory student and work with your advisor to apply to the clinical/core component of the program.

REQUIRED VIEWING PRIOR TO MEETING WITH PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

• Respiratory Therapist AARC "Life and Breath" video (Windows Media) (This video is required viewing for RESP students)
  
• Health Careers Orientation
  
  • Overview of Health Career Professions  (rev 10/10)
    
  • Academic/Advising Overview (rev 10/10)

Length of Program and College Degree Conferred - The respiratory therapist program is 86 credits, including 7 clinical semesters, with the awarding of an associate in science degree upon successful completion. Completion time can vary depending on a candidate's background and need for identified preparatory skills and coursework and the student's rate of study. The complete program is offered at the Harrisburg campus. Some required courses offered at other campuses and sites. The Respiratory Therapist program uses local healthcare facilities in the Dauphin, Cumberland, and Franklin County areas, however, the student may be required to travel to other areas in order to meet the learning objectives. Questions regarding these rotations should be discussed with the director of clinical education.

Graduates are eligible to become a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). This reflects recent changes in accreditation for respiratory therapist programs nationwide.

Program goal:  To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Respiratory Therapist Program Contacts
Initial contact should be made to HealthCareers@hacc.edu
(717) 780-1988 or (800) 222-4222 ext. 1988

Bradley A. Leidich, Program Director
Harrisburg Campus
Blocker Hall Room 101
baleidic@hacc.edu

To arrange shadowing - contact: Curtis Aumiller, Director of Clinical Education
rcaumill@hacc.edu