2361: A.S. Degree in Respiratory Care (76 Credit Hours)
CIP: 51.0908
FL CIP: 1351090800
SOC: 29-1126
The College of Central Florida is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a Respiratory Care program. However, the college can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC, 264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN 37690, telephone 817-283-2835 ext. 102, website www.coarc.com.
The College of Central Florida prepares qualified individuals to become Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT). Respiratory therapists are health care members who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patient’s suffering from acute and chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. Caring for patients in all stages of the life span, from newborns to geriatrics, the respiratory therapist is employed by hospitals, clinics, and home care agencies. Respiratory therapists are credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care, an independent agency that administers a national examination that sets the base entry competencies required to practice respiratory care. In addition, respiratory therapists are licensed in their states of practice, which may impose additional requirements to practice Respiratory Care in their jurisdictions.
The program content includes, but is not limited to, cardiopulmonary health assessment; medical gas administration; humidity/aerosol therapy; cardiopulmonary drug administration; broncho-pulmonary drainage; airway management; emergency care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; mechanical ventilation; physiologic monitoring; measurement and reporting of cardiopulmonary blood and gas sampling; pulmonary function testing; and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The program utilizes traditional classroom instruction, supplemented by laboratory practice and simulations, and supervised clinical practice where the student gains real-world experience evaluating and treating patients with cardiopulmonary distress and disorders.
The Respiratory Care program is a two-year, 76 credit hour Associate in Science degree. This is a limited access program with additional requirements beyond the general CF admissions processes. The CF service district is Citrus, Levy and Marion counties. In-district residents will be accepted into the Respiratory Care program first before any consideration is given to out-of-district applicants.
This program is eligible for federal and state financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further information about your individual eligibility.
The Economic Security Report provides students, parents and others with employment, earnings and other outcome information on graduates of Florida’s public institutions of higher education, e.g., State University System, Florida College System and District Technical Centers. To view the report, please go to https://pr.cf.edu/files/community/economic-security-report.pdf.
Criteria for Application:
Be admitted to CF in good standing.
- Completion of online information session
- Minimum 2.0 college GPA and minimum 2.5 GPA for required general education courses
- Required testing for this program are the PERT or ACT or SAT and the Wonderlic
- General Education Classes are required prior to final acceptance into the respiratory care program
Additional Criteria Apply Once Admitted to the Program:
- Criminal background check
- New student orientation
- CPR certification
- Physical Examination Form, Current Immunization Form, and a 10 Panel Drug Screening
- Professional liability insurance, retained by the college and included in tuition and fees
- It is necessary that students have reliable transportation to the assigned clinical facilities, which may be in Citrus, Levy, and Marion counties
Full time professional classes usually begin at both the Ocala and Citrus campuses in the Fall semester.
Program Goals:
The primary goal of the Respiratory Care program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
- Upon successfully completing the program of study, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate clinical data as it pertains to cardiopulmonary disorders and diseases. [National Board for Respiratory Care Content Matrix (NBRC #1).
- Demonstrate appropriate use of therapeutic devices in respiratory care and infection control. (NBRC#2)
- Perform evidenced-based respiratory care interventions in the treatment of patients suffering from a wide range of respiratory pathologies. (NBRC#3)
- Demonstrate compassionate, ethical, and professional behaviors with patients, peers, supervisors and members of the community
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