Respiratory Care, Associate in Science

The program prepares graduates to work in Respiratory Care. Respiratory Care is a specialty dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiorespiratory diseases. The degree satisfies the requirements established by the National Board of Respiratory Care and qualifies the graduate as a candidate for the national registry examination. Graduates may apply for state licensure upon completion of the program.

The Eastern Florida State College Respiratory Care Therapist program, CoARC program number 200618, Associate in Science, Melbourne Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program that has been granted an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance to initiate a program through the completion and submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR), completion of an initial on-site visit, and other documentation required by the CoARC.

The conferral of Provisional Accreditation denotes a new program that has made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until achieving Continuing Accreditation. It is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) toward eligibility to the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). Enrolled students completing the program under Provisional Accreditation are considered graduates of a CoARC accredited program.

Visit the program page for more details and how to apply.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
General Education Courses
BSCC 1010	General Biology 1	4
ENC 1101	Composition 1	3
MAC 1105	College Algebra	3
PSY 2012	General Psychology 1	3
Humanities Requirement		3
Major Courses
RET 1024	Introduction to Respiratory Care	2
RET 1026	Fundamentals of Respiratory Care	3
RET 1264	Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2	3
RET 1265	Mechanical Ventilation	4
RET 1293	Cardiopulmonary Medicine	3
RET 1414	Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics	3
RET 1485	Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology	3
RET 1931	Special Topics in Respiratory Care	2
RET 2280	Critical Medicine in Respiratory Care	3
RET 2350	Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology	3
RET 2483	Patient Assessment and Interaction	2
RET 2714	Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care	3
RETL 1832	Clinical Respiratory Care 1	1
RETL 1833	Clinical Respiratory Care 2	2
RETL 2876	Clinical Respiratory Care 3	2
RETL 2877	Clinical Respiratory Care 4	2
RETL 2934	Respiratory Care Seminar	2
Support Courses
BSCC 2093	Human Anatomy and Physiology 1	4
BSCC 2094	Human Anatomy and Physiology 2	4
CHM 1015	Introduction to Chemistry	3
HSC 1531	Medical Terminology	2
MCBC 2010	Microbiology for Health Sciences	4
Total Credit Hours		76

Note: A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation.

Learning Outcomes: Respiratory Care A.S.

1. Explain Gas laws as pertaining to the medicine of respiratory care and in the delivery of therapeutics and diagnosis
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
2. Identify the use and rationale of positive pressure, treatments, including administration devices.
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively, Think Critically & Solve Problems
3. Identify the various lung abnormalities as seen on a chest x-ray.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
4. Describe the indications for the implementation of mechanical ventilation on adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively, Think Critically & Solve Problems
5. Identify techniques involved in educating patients with chronic lung disease: maintaining a functional and socially acceptable lifestyle, the value of a Pulmonary Rehab Program.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
6. Perform Patient assessment to include: vital signs, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy and other adjunctive breathing therapies
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
7. Describe the fetal cardiopulmonary system from the earliest developmental stages until the time of birth.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
8. Perform proper techniques for the installation, maintenance and removal of all types of artificial airways on adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
9. Complete applications for the entry-level examination through the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Advisory Council on Respiratory Care to be administered after graduation from the program.
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems