Respiratory Care

Want to help people with lung or breathing disorders? Respiratory therapists provide direct patient care, patient education, and care coordination. They practice in acute care facilities, long-term acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, subacute care units, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic units, and in the home. Respiratory therapists use sophisticated medical equipment and perform complex therapeutic procedures and diagnostic studies and must possess an in-depth understanding of human physiology and apply that knowledge in the clinical setting.

The Be An RT Video, which can be found at the following webpage,  https://be-an-rt.org/, shows the roles and responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners and interviews with real-life therapists, students, and physicians, and shows the various work settings and types of patients, as well as educational requirements.

How do I complete this program?

 

Accreditation

The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by CoARC (The Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.  

Website: https://coarc.com/

Address: 264 Precision Blvd Telford, TN 37690 USA

Telephone: (817) 283 - 2835

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, CoARC utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.  The following link provides program outcome proformance information:  Programmatic Outcome Performance (SCC 200362)

In selecting programs for the recognition, the CoARC Board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics documented in the 2019 Annual Report of Current Status RCS.  These programs were required to:

      1. have three or more years of outcomes data
      2. hold accreditation without a progress report
      3. document RRT credentialing success 90% or above
      4. meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success, and retention

Keep in mind that the conferral of this achievement award does not imply the CoARC’s recommendation, endorsement, or ranking of your program in relation to other CoARC-accredited programs.  Publications or announcements of this award shall not imply such recommendation, endorsement, or ranking.  The primary responsibility of CoARC is to accredit programs based on their compliance with established accreditation standards.

CoARC 2020 Awards

Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2020
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2019
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2018
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2017
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2016
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2015
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2014
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2013
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success 2012

To see how our program compares with others across the United States:  See Programmatic Outcome Data

The AARC Online Home Page contains links to many articles. Obtain legislative updates from Washington D. C. regarding health issues and e-mail comments to your senator. There is an on-line application for membership registration and dues renewal.
 
Check us out on Facebook: SCC Respiratory Care
 
Program Director
Anna Marie Peacock, MBA, BA, RRT 
HSB 349 864.592.4489

Clinical Director 
Brittney Sutton, BSRT, RRT-NPS
HSB 348  864.592.4463

 

Applying to Respiratory Care Program

RES courses are offered in the day only on the main campus of SCC. Clinical practice may be scheduled in Cherokee, Rutherford, Spartanburg and Union Counties. Clinical practice starts at 6:45 a.m. Students are discouraged from working more than 20 hours per week and when clinical practice starts, students should have a backup system in place for daycare and transportation.

To apply, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. This interactive PDF can be used to calculate your GPA.

We highly recommend you spend some time shadowing with a respiratory therapist before applying so you will better understand what we do.

Students wanting to complete an observation at one of the designated clinical affiliates can find the information here Clinical Observation Sheet (PDF)

All applicants must be screened for criminal background and drugs.

 

Information Sessions:

September 22, 2023 (Friday) at 10:00am, Giles Campus, Health Science Building Rm. 319

October 9, 2023 (Monday) at 3:00pm, Giles Campus, Health Science Building Rm. 319

 

Respiratory Care Expenses

An estimation of your program expenses is as follows:
Below is only an estimation! Actual cost may vary.

Tuition

Refer to: Current Schedule

 

Refer to: Current Schedule

Books

Approximately $1700 for the two years excluding the general education courses

Uniforms

Approximately $150 for the two years

Criminal Background Investigation & Drug Testing

Approximately $85; required before final admission into the program

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Approximately $45 through the American Heart Association

Memberships

Approximately $25 for American Association for Respiratory Care student membership

Certification Self Assessment Exam

Provided free by the program

Registry Self Assessment Exam

Provided free by the program

Liability Insurance

$8 each year ($16 total)

Health Form

Cost Varies - To be completed by your physician

Immunizations

Cost Varies - Depends on your immune status


* These costs are an estimate only. This list does not include transportation costs, meals, laundering of uniforms, etc.,..