Respiratory Therapist

Learn more about our Respiratory Therapist Associate in Science Degree program

What does a respiratory therapist do?

Respiratory therapists:

Provide hands-on care to help people recover from various medical conditions
Work with all kinds of patients, including accident victims on mechanical ventilators, elderly people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, children suffering from asthma and premature infants with underdeveloped lungs
Draw and analyze blood specimens to determine the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases in order to assess the best course of treatment
Use mechanical ventilation for treating patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own
Administer medications to help alleviate breathing problems and help prevent respiratory infections
Have good communications skills and attention to detail
Learn more about the career (American Association for Respiratory Care- AARC -website)
Attend a respiratory therapist program information session - check back for Spring dates

Where do respiratory therapists work?

They work in hospitals where they perform intensive care, critical care and neonatal procedures
They are also vital to a hospital's life-saving response team that handles patient emergencies

How much does the program cost?

Download Estimated Expenses (pdf, rev 5/14).

What degree will I earn? Will I be eligible for credentials?

Upon successful completion you will earn a Respiratory Therapist Associate in Science Degree
You can become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) after completing a national credentialing exam.

What are the required courses and what is the suggested schedule? How long does the program take to complete? Where are the clinical classes held?

Download Courses Required/Suggested Schedule (pdf, rev 9/14).
NOTE: RESP 100 will now be offered SPRING and SUMMER semesters only.
HACC holds Respiratory classes at the Harrisburg Campus. Prerequisite courses are offered at other campuses and sites.

What are the program clinical admission criteria and how do I apply for clinicals?

Admission to HACC does not guarantee admission to the clinical component of the program. You begin as a pre-clinical student and work closely with your advisor to prepare to apply to the clinical/core component.
Download Admission Criteria and Point System, Essential Qualifications and Shadowing Form (pdf, rev 7/3/14).
If you are a pre-respiratory student, you are required to meet with Professor Aumiller, the program director. Call (717) 780-2303 to schedule your appointment.
Before meeting with the program director, view the Respiratory Therapist AARC "Life and Breath" video (Windows Media).
A shadowing experience is required within 24 months prior to submitting your clinical program application. Email Joy Hughes at jahughes@hacc.edu to make arrangements.
The clinical application is available online using Survey Monkey during Spring semester. Application deadline is April 15.

Is the program accredited?

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

Can I advance my education in this field?

This program leads directly to an occupation
HACC has an articulation agreement with University of Cincinnati for an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy.
Franklin University offers a BS in Healthcare Management.
Shippensburg University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration.
Immaculata University offers an accelerated BA in Health Care Management (classes are available in accelerated format at HACC's Lancaster Campus).
Widener University (transfer sheet) offers a BS in Allied Health.

What are the program goals?

Program goals are to prepare students to:

become registered respiratory therapists (RRT)
demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavioral) learning domains of respiratory care

What is the most current program effectiveness data?

CoARC Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status includes attrition, job placement and success on the credentialing exam.

How can I get more information?

Visit Career InfoNet for salary and job outlook statistics, career videos and licensing requirements.
Visit American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
Visit Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Visit AARC Career. It contains Life and Breath and several other videos showing the roles and responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners. It also features interviews with real-life therapists.
Attend a respiratory therapist program information session - Check back for dates.

Who can I contact for more information?

Health Careers
healthcareers@hacc.edu
717-780-1988 or 800-222-4222, ext. 211988