Program Information
As a respiratory care practitioner, breathing easily will become your expertise. Passionate practitioners care for a variety of patients, including newborn infants in respiratory distress, children with asthma or pneumonia, adult victims of trauma, and older patients with emphysema or cardiac failure.
The San Jacinto College Respiratory Care program:
- Offers a comprehensive curriculum for the preparation of respiratory care practitioners in the field of respiratory therapy and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care;
- Prepares students for the responsibility of treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system; and
- Allows graduates to gain hands-on experience as respiratory care practitioners by administering therapeutic gases, medications, chest therapy, pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, hemodynamic monitoring, and mechanical ventilation to patients in hospitals in the greater Houston area, including the Texas Medical Center.
Additional Information
Upon completion, students are eligible for admission to the credentialing examinations for respiratory therapy offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (CRT and RRT) and may also apply for a Respiratory Care Practitioner License from the Texas Medical Board.
Program Accreditation
The San Jacinto College Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). For further information concerning respiratory care accreditation, students may write or call:
CoARC
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, Tennessee 37690
817-283-2835 or visit http://www.coarc.com/
Career Opportunities
Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population. Respiratory Therapists are employed in:
- Hospitals,
- Respiratory therapy clinics,
- Nursing homes,
- Home health agencies, and
- Firms that supply respiratory equipment for home use.
Earning Potential
Respiratory Therapist: $77,3571 per year
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Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact 281-478-3612.
Campus
Central Campus
Links
Application packet and other important information: https://sanjac.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health/respiratory-care/admission-info
Information
The department of Respiratory Care offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Graduates are qualified to apply to take the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care for credentialing.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Philosophy
The philosophy of the department of Respiratory Care adheres to the philosophy of San Jacinto College. Respiratory Care is the allied health discipline that provides care through the use of diagnostic testing to patients with abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary systems. Respiratory therapists practice their specialty under the direction of licensed physicians and perform their duties in a variety of settings, including intensive care units, neonatal/pediatric special care units, general hospital wards, emergency/trauma units, extended care facilities, and the home.
Due to the nature of the services provided, respiratory therapists must be able to apply knowledge gained through academic education to clinical problems and rationally care for the patient. Graduates of the San Jacinto College Respiratory Care program are prepared as contributing members of the health care team.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Respiratory Care program, the student should be able to:
- Utilize patient care processes and scientific principles to provide respiratory care to patients in health care facilities.
- Participate as a contributing member of the health care team.
- Assume personal responsibility for continued learning in order to maintain professional competency and promote the advancement of the field of respiratory therapy.
- Successfully complete the credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Program Admission Criteria
Applicants must meet all College general admission requirements. A criminal background check and drug screen are required for all Respiratory Care students attending clinical courses, or practicum, and may be required prior to admission to the program.
Due to the limited number of clinical spaces, students are admitted on a competitive basis. All candidates must be counseled by the department of Respiratory Care at San Jacinto College Central campus.
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Before submitting an application, applicants must complete 12 semester credit hours (SCH) as specified below with a grade of at least C in each of those courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101 | Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) | 4 |
| BIOL 2302 & BIOL 2102 | Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods (Statistics) | ||
Higher level Math | ||
| RSPT 1101 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 1 |
All applicants are required to attend a mandatory information session. The dates and times for the sessions are published on the College's website at https://sanjac.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health/respiratory-care/admission-info
Students must apply for admission to the Respiratory Care program by submitting a formal online application through the Respiratory Care program page (link above). Copies of the student's unofficial transcripts (from all colleges and universities attended) must be uploaded with the online application. Applicants must also complete a background check at www.CastleBranch.com using the package code sy46bg.
Students who apply for admission to the Respiratory Care program will be ranked based on their scoring on the Respiratory Care Selection Criteria Scoring Rubric. Meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission. The following general education courses are required prior to completion of the program however, completion of these courses prior to application for admission into the program may increase your score on the admissions rubric.
PSYC 2301 General Psychology
ENGL 1301 Composition I
Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities), or Creative arts (Fine Arts)
A student currently on academic probation is ineligible to enroll in the Respiratory Care program.
Applicants to the Respiratory Care program will be notified by email regarding their program admission status. Applicants who are not selected for admission to the Respiratory Care program may re-apply. Applicants who are accepted for admission into the Respiratory Care program but who do not enroll must re-apply to be considered for admission at a later date.
After acceptance into the program, all applicants must have a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner, documentation of updated immunizations, and a drug screening.
Respiratory Care students must earn a grade of C or better in all Respiratory Care (RSPT) courses, science, and mathematics courses and must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from the Respiratory Care program. If the student earns a grade of D, W, or F in a Respiratory Care course, the student will be required to repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned and pass that course with a grade of C or better in order to progress in the program. A second earned grade of D, W, or F in a Respiratory Care course will result in the student’s dismissal from the program. To request re-admission into the program, the student must submit a written petition to the Respiratory Care Admission Committee. If re-admission is granted, the student must satisfy the re-admission criteria specified by the Committee to continue in the program.
All students should take the required academic foundation courses in sequence along with professional course work.
Application Periods
- Jan. 1 through June 1
- Aug. 1 through Nov. 1
Classes begin each fall and spring term. For more information, students may contact the Respiratory Care program at 281-478-3612.
Application packet and other important information: https://sanjac.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health/respiratory-care/admission-info
Plan of Study
3RESP
| Prerequisites | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| RSPT 1101 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 1 |
| BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101 | Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) | 4 |
| BIOL 2302 & BIOL 2102 | Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) | 4 |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| First Term | ||
| RSPT 1310 | Respiratory Care Procedures I | 3 |
| RSPT 1225 | Respiratory Care Sciences | 2 |
| RSPT 1340 | Advanced Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| RSPT 1160 | Respiratory Care Clinical I | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Term | ||
| RSPT 1360 | Respiratory Care Clinical II | 3 |
| RSPT 1311 | Respiratory Care Procedures II | 3 |
| RSPT 2310 | Cardiopulmonary Disease | 3 |
| RSPT 2372 | Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Third Term | ||
| RSPT 2360 | Respiratory Care Clinical III | 3 |
| RSPT 2414 | Mechanical Ventilation | 4 |
| RSPT 1113 | Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 1 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| RSPT 2361 | Respiratory Care Clinical IV | 3 |
| RSPT 2355 | Critical Care Monitoring | 3 |
| RSPT 2353 | Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| RSPT 2362 | Respiratory Care Clinical V | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| RSPT 2230 | Respiratory Care Examination Preparation | 2 |
| RSPT 2231 | Simulations in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Capstone Experience: RSPT 2230 Respiratory Care Examination Preparation
Verification of workplace competencies.
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Students desiring to obtain a baccalaureate degree should take MATH 1314 College Algebra.
Note: Course outline is representative of fall entry only. Adjustments will be made for spring entry.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all Respiratory Care (RSPT), Science and Mathematics courses and must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 to graduate from the Respiratory Care program.