Respiratory Therapist

Program Specific Requirements

1. Appropriate Accuplacer scores or successful completion of ENGL0095, MATH0090 must be completed before entering any RESP courses. Acceptance into the Respiratory Therapist program requires an information session with the program advisor. All eligible students are allowed to enroll until program enrollment capacity is reached.

2. Minnesota Department of Human Services Licensing Division Background study must be completed upon program entry and annually thereafter. Evidence of approval to provide healthcare must be on file prior to entering second semester courses.

3. A laptop computer is required for semester four through six.

4. All required courses for the program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

5. Immunization and health screening data must be submitted on the college Health Screening Form prior to enrollment in RESP courses.

6. Current CPR certification. CPR for Health Care Providers (American Heart Association) or CPR for Professional Rescuer (Red Cross).

Program Learner Outcomes

1. Student will communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and colleagues based upon respect for the dignity and work of each person.
2. Student will apply principles of basic sciences to the required duties and skills in the practice of respiratory care.
3. Student will perform safely and accurately, entry-level clinical tasks in a structured health care setting.
4. Student will perform job duties within existing ethical and legal parameter for healthcare professionals.
5. Student will exhibit professional characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes appropriate to scope of practice for respiratory care practitioners.
6. Student will perform accurate and efficient patient assessments according to policies and procedures required of respiratory care practitioner professionals.
7. Student will accurately interpret and integrate patient data.
8. Student will apply safety and infection control measures to patient care at all times in the classroom, lab, and clinic or hospital setting.

Northland Career Center

Counselors are available in the Career Center to assist with career advising, job search resources, employer connections, occupational descriptions, employment outlook, earnings, education/training requirements and sources.

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The graduate of the AAS in Respiratory Care will be eligible, as required by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), to take first the entry Level exam, followed by the advanced level examination to be credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Both levels require national credentialing examinations to earn the credentials of Certified or Registered respectively. Demand for the Respiratory Care Practitioner is very high, with a nationwide projected increase of over 50%.

The employment outlook for respiratory therapists in the state of Minnesota from 2009 to 2019 is 26.5%, a well above average growth percentage.