College of the Great Smoky Mountains - Southwestern Community College, serving Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties and Cherokee/ Qually Boundary

 

 




 

Meet the Faculty:
Mitchel Fischer, Respiratory Therapy Program Coordinator
Mitch Fischer
Program Coordinator
A.A.S., Brookdale Commnity College; B.A., Thomas Edison State College; J.D., Widener University School of Law
800.447.4091, ext 472
828.586.4091, ext 472
mfischer@southwesterncc.edu
office location: 2nd floor, Balsam Center, 220
Jackson Campus, Sylva, NC




Amy Macbeth
Amy Macbeth
Clinical Coordinator/ Instructor
828.586.4091, ext. 459
800.447.4091, ext. 459
2nd floor, Balsam Center
a_macbeth@southwesterncc.edu
Respiratory Therapy Home
 

 


 
 

Respiratory Therapy

 

Transfer agreements between Southwestern Community College and other colleges or universities allow graduates of certain SCC programs to transfer credits towards a Bachelor of Science degree to the participating university or college. The amount of transferable credit varies among programs and colleges. Please refer to the specific agreements for details on transferable credits.The Respiratory Therapy curriculum prepares individuals to function as respiratory therapists. In these roles, individuals perform diagnostic testing, treatments and management of patients with heart and lung diseases.

Students will master skills in patient assessment and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. These skills include life support, monitoring, drug administration, and treatment of patients of all ages in a variety of settings.

Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to take entry-level examinations from the National Board of Respiratory Care. Graduates may also take the Advanced Practitioner examination, which is required to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Graduates may be employed in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, education, industry and home care.

Associate in Applied Science Degree - (AAS) A45720

Fall Semester 1        
Prefix Number Title
Class
Lab
Clin
Credit
click on title for course descriptions
BIO 168 Anatomy & Physiology I 3 3 0 4
ENG 111 Expository Writing 3 0 0 3
MAT 110 Mathematical Measurement 2 2 0 3
RCP 110 Intro to Respiratory Care 3 3 0 4
RCP 114 C-P Anatomy & Physiology 3 0 0 3
RCP 122 Special Practice Lab 0 2 0 1
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 14 10 0 18
              
Spring Semester 1        
BIO 169 Anatomy & Physiology II 3 3 0 4
ENG 114 Professional Research and Reporting 3 0 0 3
RCP 111 Therapeutics/Diagnostics 4 3 0 5
RCP 113 RCP Pharmacology 2 0 0 2
RCP 115 C-P Pathophysiology 2 0 0 2
RCP 123 Special Practice Lab 0 3 0 1
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 14 9 0 17
              
Summer Semester 1        
RCP 112 Patient Management 3 3 0 4
RCP 134 Clinical Practice I 0 0 12 4
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 3 3 12 8
              
Fall Semester 2        
PSY 150 General Psychology 3 0 0 3
RCP 146 Clinical Practice II 0 0 18 6
RCP 210 Critical Care Concepts 3 3 0 4
RCP 214 Neonatal/Pediatric RC 1 3 0 2
RCP 222 Special Practice Lab 0 2 0 1
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 7 8 18 16
               
Spring Semester 2        
RCP 158 Clinical Practice III 0 0 24 8
RCP 211 Adv Monitoring/Procedures 3 3 0 4
RCP 212 Home Care/Rehabilitation 2 0 0 2
*** *** Humanities Elective 3 0 0 3
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 8 3 24 17
              
Total Semester Hour Credits: 76  
         

Admissions Criteria
The program has a limited enrollment and only admits a class in the fall of each year. Applications must be completed and submitted and supporting documents must be received no later than March 1 of the same year. If all slots have not been filled after the above deadline, there may be extensions to the deadline. Please check with the Admissions Office about the status of the program.

PHASE I - To be complated by March 1
The applicant must:
1. Complete an application for admission to the College.
2. Be a high school graduate or have earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
3. Submit official copies of all transcripts (high school and college). Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution. It is the responsibility of the applicant to assure that all necessary records are sent to the College Admissions Office.
4. Have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale of the most recent academic transcript (high school or postsecondary).
5.
Meet the Southwestern Community College Placement Test requirement.

This may be met by one of the following methods:
a) Take and pass the basic components of the Computerized Placement Test. These consist of algebra, arithmetic, reading comprehension, grammar and basic computer skills. The test is administered several times each week on the Jackson and Macon Campuses and is free of charge. To schedule a test session, contact Testing Services at extension 332. If you do not pass the basic components of the placement test, it is recommended that you enroll in and successfully complete the appropriate developmental coursework. If you are unsuccessful in achieving the appropriate cut-off scores in any component of the test, please see the academic retest policy.
b) Appropriate SAT or ACT scores and successful completion of high school or college computer literacy course within the past six years. See admissions section for additional details.
c) Successful completion of a college-level math, algebra, English and computer literacy course.
6. It is required that the applicant spend a minimum of six hours observing in a hospital Respiratory Therapy Department. Contact the program director or clinical director to get a list of available sites to visit. There is a form that must be taken to the site. You may pick up the observation form from either the Admissions Department or the Health Sciences Administrative Assistant. Return the completed form to the Admissions Department.
7. Take the Health Occupations Aptitude Exam. The cost of this test is $15. The applicant will be required to pay this fee when registering for the test. Details for testing dates and times can be secured from the Advisor. This is not a pass or fail test. It is used to measure your potential to be successful in the program. You may take the test one time per annual application period.

PHASE II
Those individuals who have completed all parts of Phase I by the appropriate deadlines will be scheduled for a personal interview. Applicants will be notified of date and time.

PHASE III
Those individuals who are notified of acceptance status will be provided with SCC health forms to be completed by the appropriate medical personnel. The completed medical forms must indicate that you are capable of meeting the physical requirements for the program. The deadline for submitting the completed forms to the program director is Aug. 1.

Notes:
1. Applicants are responsible for submitting all the necessary records to the Registrar's Office.
2. Applications must be updated annually by applicants who were not accepted the previous year.
3. Applicants may take non-respiratory care, general education and related coursework prior to being accepted into the program.
4. All students admitted into a health science program may be required, by clinical or Co-op site, to submit to a criminal background check and/or drug testing, prior to, or during clinical education coursework. The results of these tests could affect the student’s ability to progress in the program.
5. All students completing a health science program may be required, by an external testing agency, to submit to a criminal background check and/or drug test prior to a state or national licensing/certification board approving the graduate to sit for licensure/certification exams.

Academic Standards:
The program requires that students maintain a high level of academic and clinical performance in accordance with program policies. Failure to meet these standards will prevent normal progression through the program.

Upon completion of the program graduates will be eligible to take the national exams and may apply for a state license to practice.

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 Last updated 11/4/09


   
   
 
 
 
Southwestern Community College • 447 College Drive • Sylva, NC 28779
828·586·4091 or 800·447·4091
fax 828·586·3129