Respiratory Therapy

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty encompassing the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of problems affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system.

Respiratory Therapy practitioners work side-by-side with physicians, and other healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. They set up oxygen, perform pulmonary function testing, set up and maintain ventilators, administer respiratory drugs, and evaluate patient health status.

Respiratory therapy is a rapidly growing, people-oriented profession. The demand for practitioners is increasing in New Mexico and throughout the United States. While most graduates continue to find employment in hospitals, opportunities are opening up with medical equipment suppliers and agencies providing home health care to pulmonary patients.

The Respiratory Therapy program at Doña Ana Community College is a full-time program that leads to an associate of applied science degree. Through classroom instruction and laboratory practice, students develop the knowledge needed to care for patients. They acquire additional hands-on experience in the clinical setting at surrounding hospitals.

The curriculum and clinical hour content is based on the National Standard Curriculum from the American Association of Respiratory Therapy (AARC) and the national accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)

264 Precision Blvd Telford, TN 37690 USA

www.coarc.com

The Respiratory Therapy Program is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The program is designed to prepare students to have mastered competency in assessing, diagnosing, and treating cardiopulmonary patients. After completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for their national licensure certification and registry examinations.

Required Skills and Abilities

Students should be able to demonstrate good oral expression (speech clarity) and written comprehension, critical thinking skills, the ability to hear through a stethoscope or augmented listening device, and physical stamina (e.g., the ability to stand for long periods, manipulate respiratory therapy equipment, and move/lift patients and equipment up to 50 pounds, unassisted).

Program Admissions Criteria

Respiratory Therapy is a limited-entry program. The following items are among the criteria are used in the selection of successful program applicants:

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Science GPA of 2.7 or better
  • Completion of the following courses:
    Prefix Title Credits
    ENGL 1110GComposition I 14
    CHEM 1120GIntroduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) 14
    AHS 120Medical Terminology3
    MATH 1220GCollege Algebra3
    BIOL 2310
    & 2310L    		Microbiology
    and Microbiology Lab 1    		4
    BIOL 2210Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences 14
    BIOL 2225Human Anatomy and Physiology II 14
    PSYC 1110GIntroduction to Psychology3
    or SOCI 1110G Introduction to Sociology

A complete list is included in the application packet, available at the Respiratory Therapy program office in room DAHL-191; Phone: (575) 527-7607.

1

Courses are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.

Requirements to Participate in Clinical Practice

Clinical coursework is required for completion of this program. Upon admittance and throughout the program, students will be required to meet the requirements of each clinical site in order to complete the required coursework. Requirements include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Background check and fingerprinting through the designated college affiliate (adverse findings may disqualify a student from continuing in the program)
  2. Current CPR certification
  3. Current TB test
  4. Record of current tuberculin, rubella, tetanus, varicella, and Hepatitis B immunizations and titers.
  5. Drug screening

NOTE: There are two established cut scores for the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination. If a candidate achieves the lower cut score, (s)he will earn the CRT credential. If a candidate achieves the higher cut score, (s)he will earn the CRT credential and become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination (provided those eligibility requirements are met and the candidate is eligible to earn the RRT credential). The CRT and/or RRT credentials are used as the basis for the licensure.

Course Fees

In addition to tuition, a fee of $120 is charged for each of the following courses:

Prefix Title Credits
RESP 110 LRespiratory Therapy I Lab2
RESP 120 LRespiratory Therapy II Lab2
RESP 230 LRespiratory Therapy V Lab2
RESP 240 LRespiratory Therapy VI Lab2

Respiratory Therapy - Associate of Applied Science

RESP 110. Respiratory Therapy I

3 Credits (3)

Introduction to basic respiratory care techniques. Includes history, professional organizations, medical gas administration, oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary AP, patient assessments, and medical terminology. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 110 L. Respiratory Therapy I Lab

2 Credits (2)

Laboratory practice of basic respiratory care procedures. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 115. Respiratory Therapy Pharmacology

3 Credits (3)

Concepts of physics as they apply to the physiology of the lungs. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 120. Respiratory Therapy II

4 Credits (4)

Advanced respiratory care techniques. Emphasis on airway management, aerosol treatment, chest physiotherapy, pharmacology, posture pressure breathing, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Requires a C or better to remain in program. May be repeated up to 4 credits. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 110.

Corequisite(s): RESP 120 L.

RESP 120 L. Respiratory Therapy II Lab

2 Credits (6P)

Continuation of lab practices and procedures learned in RESP 120, Respiratory Care II, using equipment and simulations. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted to the program to enroll in this course. Corequisite(s):RESP 120. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 110, RESP 110L and RESP 112.

RESP 124. Respiratory Therapy II Clinical

3 Credits (9P)

Supervised practice and application in a hospital setting. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 110, RESP 110L and RESP 112.

Corequisite(s): RESP 120 and RESP 120L.

RESP 155. Respiratory Therapy Special Topics

1-4 Credits

Topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 10 credits. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to program.

RESP 210. Respiratory Therapy III

2 Credits (2)

Introduction to adult, mechanical, neonatal ventilator theory and concepts of critical care medicine. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 115, RESP 120, RESP 120L, and RESP 124.

Corequisite(s): RESP 210L.

RESP 210 L. Respiratory Therapy III Lab

2 Credits (2)

Advanced practice procedures using mechanical ventilation devices. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 115, RESP 120, RESP 120 L, and RESP 124.

Corequisite(s): RESP 210.

RESP 224. Respiratory Therapy IV Clinical

3 Credits (9P)

Continuation of RESP 124. Emphasis on mechanical ventilators. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to program, and RESP 115, RESP 120, RESP 120 L, and RESP 124.

RESP 230. Respiratory Therapy V

3 Credits (3)

Continuation of RESP 215. Emphasis on special modalities. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 230 L. Respiratory Therapy V Lab

2 Credits (2)

Advanced practice and procedures of respiratory care. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 233. Respiratory Therapy Cardiopulmonary

2 Credits (2)

Concepts of physics as they apply to the physiology of the lung. Emphasis on laws pertaining to gas flow, humidity, and the mechanics of the breathing process. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 234. Respiratory Therapy V Clinical

3 Credits (3)

Continuation of RESP 214. Emphasis on special modalities. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to DA-RESP-AA majors.

RESP 240. Respiratory Therapy VI

3 Credits (3)

Advanced theory of hemodynamics, neonate, pediatric, and new specialties that apply to respiratory care. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 230, RESP 230L, RESP 233 and RESP 234.

Corequisite(s): RESP 240L.

RESP 240 L. Respiratory Therapy VI Lab

2 Credits (6P)

Advanced laboratory practice and procedures. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 230, RESP 230L, RESP 233 and RESP 234.

Corequisite(s): RESP 240.

RESP 242. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

1 Credit (1)

Etiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and management of cardiopulmonary disorders related to respiratory care. Restricted to majors.

Corequisite(s): RESP 230.

RESP 243. Respiratory Therapy Neonatal Resuscitation

1 Credit (1)

Advanced practice of the neonatal resuscitation and certification. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 230, RESP 230L, RESP 233, and RESP 234.

Corequisite(s): RESP 240 and RESP 244.

RESP 244. Respiratory Therapy VI Clinical

3 Credits (9P)

Clinical experience on special modalities. Requires a C or better to remain in program. Students must be admitted into program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): RESP 230, RESP 230L, RESP 233 and RESP 234.

Corequisite(s): RESP 240.

RESP 255. Respiratory Therapy Special Topics

1-4 Credits

Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Restricted to RESP majors.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to program.

         Name: Vince Duran, Program Director

Office Location: DAHL 191H

Phone: (575) 527-7731

Email: vduran@nmsu.edu

Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/academics/programs/respiratory-therapy/index.html

      Name: Anthony Chasco, Director of Clinical Education

Office Location: DAHL 191G

Phone: (575) 527-7731

Email: ajchasco@nmsu.edu

Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/academics/programs/respiratory-therapy/index.html