PROGRAM INFORMATION
Respiratory Care is the health care discipline that specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and is practiced under medical direction across the health care continuum. Respiratory care focuses on the assessment, treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, education, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system, as well as on the prevention of the development of these deficiencies. Respiratory care is practiced in acute care hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, patients' homes, patient transport systems, physician offices, convalescent and retirement centers, educational institutions, and wellness centers.

• SCHEDULING AND ENTRY OPTIONS
  
• PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
  
• DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

SCHEDULING AND ENTRY OPTIONS
The Respiratory Care program begins in the Fall Semester and consists of four semesters and two summer terms. The majority of classes are available during the day only, with some evening classes to enhance clinical opportunities. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be completed at any time before or during the program. Because Respiratory Care courses build on each preceding course and must be taken in sequence, readmission and progression criteria in the program are different from those of the College as a whole.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has placed the Advanced Respiratory Care Program at Tri-County Technical College on Probationary Accreditation effective January 26, 2007. Probation is a temporary status of accreditation for programs that are not currently in substantial compliance with the accreditation standards but are expected to be in compliance within a specific time. While a program is on probation, it is still an accredited program.

The program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601-2208, Telephone: 312-553-9355, Fax: 312-553-9616.

DEGREE:
Associate in Applied Science
Major: Respiratory Care
Graduation Credits Required: 83

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
General Education: 26 Semester Credit Hours

NOTE: See also “General Education Course Requirements/Substitutions”

Required Program Courses:
58 Semester Credit Hours

RES 101 Introduction to Respiratory Care - 3 credits
RES 111 Pathophysiology - 2 credits
RES 121 Respiratory Skills I - 4 credits
RES 123 Cardiopulmonary Physiology - 3 credits
RES 131 Respiratory Skills II - 4 credits
RES 141 Respiratory Skills III - 3 credits
RES 151 Clinical Applications I - 5 credits
RES 152 Clinical Applications II - 3 credits
RES 204 Neonatal/Pediatric Care - 3 credits
RES 206 Respiratory Care for the Gerontological Patient - 2 credits
RES 232 Respiratory Therapeutics - 2 credits
RES 236 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics - 3 credits
RES 244 Advanced Respiratory Skills I - 4 credits
RES 246 Respiratory Pharmacology - 2 credits
RES 255 Clinical Practice - 5 credits
RES 274 Advanced Clinical Practice - 4 credits
RES 277 Advanced Clinical Practice II - 5 credits

Elective Program Courses:
0 Semester Credit Hours

General Elective:
0 Semester Credit Hours

Also see COURSE DESCRIPTIONS