Respiratory Therapist
Learn more about a rapid growing career in respiratory care and our two-year Respiratory Therapist 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).
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 4/16/15). NEW FOR FALL 2016
- 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) 221-1392 (Christen) to schedule your appointment.
- Before meeting with the program director, view the Respiratory Therapist AARC "Life and Breath" video .
- 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. Check back in early 2018 for the link.
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.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu
Respiratory Therapy Program Office
HACC Harrisburg Campus
Select Medical Health Education Pavilion (SMHEP) Room 114
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-221-1392