Respiratory Care Practitioner

Course Descriptions  |  Degree Requirements

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Department Chair: Delia Lechtenberg Location: Medical Arts & Tech. Building, Rm. 102 Phone: 719-549-3266 E-Mail: Delia.Lechtenberg@pueblocc.edu Director of Clinical Education: Cassandra Curtis Office: Medical Arts & Tech. Building, Rm. 112  Phone: 549-3265 E-mail: Cassandra.Curtis@pueblocc.edu Faculty: Shawna Tracy Office: Medical Arts & Tech. Building, RM 169 Phone: 549-3099 E-mail: Shawna.Tracy@pueblocc.edu

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Admissions Information

Job Opportunities

Career Opportunities
The RCA program prepares you for a career in respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapists work in a variety of settings: hospital, homecare, neonatal nursery, diagnostic testing, and flight for life. Respiratory care is one of fastest growing health professions in the U.S. We provide our graduates with a listing of national placement opportunities.

Program Description
This program prepares you to work in a unique area of health care: the diagnosis, therapy, management, and prevention of diseases associated with cardiopulmonary illness. Due to the demanding training requirements and the critical life support responsibilities of the respiratory therapist, you must have a high degree of personal maturity, strong motivation, a solid science and general studies background, and excellent reasoning skills.

Entrance requirements
To enter the program, you must meet all basic skills requirements including computer literacy, complete at least four of the seven required General Education courses (with a “C” or higher in natural science courses), and undergo a screening and selection process. You must also obtain CPR certification before entering into the clinical setting, pass a drug screening,and background check before you are accepted into the program.

A new program begins every fall semester. The application process begins every spring semester. Admission to the program is a selection process.  Students applying to the program will be required to complete an application, take an entrance exam (math and apptitude), and participate in an interview process, successfully pass a drug screening and background check.  Only 25 students are accepted each year.  If you are interested in receiving an application when the application process opens, please call 549-3480 and your name will be added to a prospective student list. When the application process opens, you will be notified of the process. 

Graduation requirements
The program consists of five semesters of theory, laboratory, and clinical internships in the techniques of respiratory care. You must take the Respiratory Care courses in sequence and complete them with a “C” grade or higher. Graduates of the program become eligible for registry by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

The Pueblo Community College Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).