Respiratory Therapist
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Collaborative Programming between Western Technical College & Southwest Tech
Respiratory therapists work to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. Therapists are involved in clinical decision making such as patient evaluation, treatment selection, and assessment of treatment efficacy, and patient education.
Graduates are qualified for admission to the entry-level and advanced practitioner examinations to become a registered respiratory therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, on recommendation of the Committee
Career Opportunities
The program prepares practitioners to work with physicians in diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients of all ages with lung diseases or disorders. Respiratory care practitioners are responsible for delivery and monitoring of patients on oxygen, inhaled medications and breathing exercises/treatments and the management of patients requiring artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Career opportunities are within hospitals, home health care agencies, clinics and extended care facilities. The graduate must be prepared to work in a highly technical environment under pressure to perform life-preserving procedures.
Program Outcomes
- Review patient records and recommend diagnostic procedures to gather additional data including lab tests, X-rays, hemodynamic monitoring, and respiratory monitoring.
- Collect and interpret additional clinical information including inspection, percussion, auscultation, palpation, X-ray interpretation, pulmonary function testing, and respiratory monitoring.
- Perform diagnostic procedures, interpret results, and analyze care plans.
- Select appropriate equipment and assess and assure clean lines.
- Assemble equipment, perform calibration, and correct malfunctions.
- Monitor and evaluate patients response to therapeutic procedures.
- Maintain airways, remove secretions, and assure ventilation and oxygenation.
- Modify therapy and make recommendations based on patients’ response including incentive breathing, aerosol therapy, oxygen therapy, He/O2 therapy, bronchial hygiene, mechanical ventilation, suctioning, IPPB and recommending the use of pharmacologic agents
- Perform emergency procedures including ECG monitoring, pupillary reactivity, recommending defibrillation, performing intubation, recommending capnography and assisting with special procedures.
- Assisting physicians and conducting pulmonary rehabilitation and home care.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with patients, peers and other health care personnel.
- Adapt to ethnic, age and educational diversity in the health care setting.
- Practice respiratory care according to established codes of ethics.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude and responsibility for self-learning.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically in all settings.
Program Basics
- Students take classes at Southwest Tech in the first year.
- Students take classes and clinical experiences at Western Technical College (WTC) in the second year.
Program Admission Requirements
- High school subjects (with a grade of C or better):Two years of math, including one year of algebra; three years of science including one year of chemistry; and three years of English.
- Physical examination, immunization, two-step TB testing, and criminal background check.
- Must apply to WTC (Western Technical College) by April 1st for second year of program.
Program Fees
Please contact Student Services at 800.362.3322, Ext. 2354, or email student-services@swtc.edu for current fee information.
A Program Fee list is provided (please note the costs are approximate and based on the current academic year).
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