RESPIRATORY CARE - 437
Associate of Applied Science Degree 
Total Credits: 108

Nature of the Profession: Respiratory Care practitioners are members of the health care team who provide respiratory care for patients with heart and lung disorders, under the direction of licensed physicians. The scope of practice of a Respiratory Care practitioner includes: general care, neonatal critical care, pediatric critical care, adult trauma care, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, home care, education and research

Program Design: The program is designed to be completed in seven quarters when taken on a full-time basis. Admission to the respiratory courses requires written acceptance by the Program Director according to the admission requirements listed on the special Respiratory Care application. Students may elect to complete some or all of the general education course requirements prior to being admitted into the respiratory courses. Continuation in the Respiratory Care Program requires a grade of C or above in all courses. The cumulative grade point average must be at least a C. There is a time limit on completion of science and respiratory course requirements.

Application Process:
1) Complete the Respiratory Care Program application as well as the SSCC application,
if not already completed.
2) Provide an official transcript verifying graduation from an approved high school or
copy of GED showing scores received.
3) Provide documentation via official transcript of completion of high school biology,
chemistry, and algebra (or equivalent courses). Achieving at least a grade of C is
recommended. (If these courses were taken longer than 5 years ago, updating knowledge is strongly recommended.)
4) Achieve satisfactory scores required by the Pre-entrance Testing Program. http://www.sscc.edu/academics/Nursing_testing.htm  
5) A cumulative college GPA of at least 2.5 or high school GPA of 3.0 is required to
enter the program.
6) All applicants must complete 6 hours (total) of job shadowing a Respiratory Therapist in a rural hospital, as well as in an urban hospital. Required forms can be obtained from the Respiratory Care Program Office.                                                                         7) Enrollment is limited. Applicants will participate in an interview process with the
Respiratory Care Program Director and/or faculty members. Applicants are encouraged to meet with the Program Director prior to application to discuss requirements and objectives of the Respiratory Care Program.
8) After acceptance, and before entering clinical experience, it is important to provide a
completed medical examination form and immunization record indicating that the
applicant has the physical and emotional stamina to pursue this career. Requests for
reasonable accommodations necessary for a student because of disability must be made in writing to the Program Director at least 6 months before the Respiratory Program begins. Current CPR for Healthcare Provider certification, the purchase of student liability insurance, and student uniform are also required.
9) It is important for a prospective Respiratory Care student to know that a past felony
or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify him/her from taking certification and registry
exams (as outlined in Section 4761.04 of the Ohio Revised Code).

Prerequisites:                                                                                                    CHEM 120    Intro to Chemistry I (4)                                                                     MATH 117    Elementary Algebra (4)                                                                     BIOL 205     Anatomy & Physiology I (5)                                                               CHEM 122   Intro to Chemistry II (4)