About the Program
The Butte College Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (www.coarc.com).
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care:
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
(631) 912-7920
The Respiratory Care program is designed to prepare students to become licensed Respiratory Care Practitioners in the state of California. In addition, the program prepares the successful graduate to participate in the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Respiratory care practitioners are highly skilled allied health professionals involved in the therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities that affect the cardiopulmonary system. They are employed in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, physician's offices, home health agencies, specialized care hospitals, medical equipment supply companies, diagnostic laboratories, and patients' homes. They may further specialize in such areas as adult critical care, neonatal or pediatric intensive care, pulmonary function testing, transport medicine, hyperbaric medicine, home care, management or education.
Graduates practicing in California are required to take a state licensure examination. *Note: A person convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation may not qualify to be licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in California. Questions regarding this should be directed to the Respiratory Care Program Director.
Admission to the Program:
- Requirements for Application:
- Age 17 or older.
- Prerequisites: BIOL 15, BIOL 20, BIOL 21, CHEM 51, and Math Competency (which may be satisfied by high school coursework). Must be completed with a C grade or better.
- Requirements for Admission to Program:
- Students must pass a background check, drug screening, and physical exam, and verify their physical ability to perform the tasks required of a Respiratory Therapist.
- Requirements for Completion of Program (courses may be taken prior to or during the program):
- ALH 6 – The Critical Six Soft Skills in the Professional Healthcare Environment
- PSY 1 – Principles of Psychology
- CMST 2, 2H, 4 (select one option)
- All prerequisites and program required courses must be completed with a C grade or better.
The Respiratory Care program admits students once a year. The program begins in a Fall semester.
Students are admitted by application only. Contact the Health Occupations office or visit www.butte.edu/healthoccupations for application dates and materials. In the event that there are more qualified applicants than spaces in the program, a computerized lottery will be used to select the individuals to be enrolled.
Estimated expenses average about $6,000 - $7,000 for the entire program, including licensure. Financial aid may be available to qualified students.
Program Requirements
Program Code: 01342.00AS
Type: Career
General Education: Butte Local
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate a solid professional and general medical knowledge base.
Accurately interpret pertinent clinical information from medical records and physical findings.
Recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions based on physiological data and patient assessment data.
Demonstrate sound clinical judgment and is proficient in the clinical skills required on the job.
Demonstrate efficient performance of an overall patient assessment.
Competently perform the therapeutic procedures and modalities, and diagnostic procedures required on the job.
Demonstrate effective oral and communication skills.
Exhibit ethical and professional manners, including timely and prepared entrance to clinic and contributing to a positive work environment.
Function effectively as a member of the health care team, accepts supervision and works effectively with supervisory personnel.
Demonstrate self-direction and responsibility for his/her own actions.
Display respect for beliefs and values of all persons regardless of cultural background, religion, age, or lifestyle.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the RT Program, ALH 6 (or concurrent enrollment)
Corequisite(s): RT 118
Unit(s): 7.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
102.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 204.00
Total Course Hours: 357.00
This course is designed to introduce the student to basic atmospheric physics, cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, blood gas chemistry, and ventilatory dynamics. The student will be introduced to basic concepts of health and disease with emphasis on cardiopulmonary disorders, fundamentals of problem solving techniques and safe handling of medical gases and equipment. Selected respiratory care and diagnostic equipment, techniques and problems will be introduced in the laboratory. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 110, RT 118, ALH 6
Unit(s): 0.50
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 36.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 36.00
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of clinical respiratory care as practiced in the acute care hospital. Students will become conversant with bedside examination, monitoring, and care of medical/surgical and respiratory disease patients.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the RT Program
Corequisite(s): RT 110
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course introduces students to fundamental pharmacological concepts and applied pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on drug action and interaction as well as the practical aspects of routes of administration. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 115
Corequisite(s): RT 125
Unit(s): 7.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
102.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 204.00
Total Course Hours: 357.00
This course is a survey of cardiorespiratory disease with a focus on the role that the respiratory care practitioner plays in professional and culturally appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Cultural awareness, sensitivity and communication will be emphasized. Selected respiratory care techniques, equipment, and procedures will be introduced in the laboratory. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 115
Corequisite(s): RT 120
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 272.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 272.00
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of clinical respiratory care as practiced in the acute care hospital. Students will become conversant with bedside examination, monitoring, and care of medical/surgical and respiratory disease patients. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 120, RT 125
Unit(s): 3.50
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
30.00 hours Lecture
/ 96.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 60.00
Total Course Hours: 186.00
This course is a supervised clinical respiratory therapy experience in the hospital setting, including the application of theories and therapeutic modalities taught in previous RT classes. Mechanical Ventilation concepts will be introduced in the lecture portion. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 135
Corequisite(s): RT 142, RT 145
Unit(s): 6.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
85.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 170.00
Total Course Hours: 306.00
This course is a study of the fundamentals of respiratory care in the critical care setting. Emphasis is placed on the critical care environment, advanced patient assessment, monitoring, advanced techniques of airway management and continuous mechanical ventilatory support. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 135
Corequisite(s): RT 140, RT 145
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 12.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 165.00
This course is an introduction to respiratory care of the neonatal and pediatric patient. Emphasis is placed upon growth and development, pathophysiology, clinical assessment, treatment, resuscitation and mechanical ventilatory support. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 135
Corequisite(s): RT 140, RT 142
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 272.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 272.00
This course is designed to support continued in-hospital development of clinical respiratory care skills with emphasis on the application of scientific principles to the therapeutic environment and life support of the critically ill patient. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 140, RT 142, RT 145
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 118.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 118.00
This course is designed as a clinical experience to allow the respiratory care student to hone skills learned in previous RT courses while developing new skills in the performance of day-to-day tasks of the staff respiratory care practitioner. Emphasis will be placed on both self assessment and critique of clinical performance by hospital personnel. Offered in Winter Session only. Travel to out-of-area clinical facilities will be required. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 155
Corequisite(s): RT 165
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
68.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 136.00
Total Course Hours: 204.00
This course is designed to explore the historical, contemporary and technical issues germane to respiratory care as an allied health profession through lecture/discussion/literary review. Emphasis will be placed on issues relevant to the current practice of respiratory care and credentialing requirements. Preparation for post-graduate credentialing examinations will be included in the course work. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): RT 155
Corequisite(s): RT 160
Unit(s): 8.00
Transfer Status: NT
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 408.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 408.00
This course supports the continuing practice and evaluation of skills for advanced respiratory care students in the hospital setting. Development of skills pertaining to the organization and completion of patient care assignments in both the medical-surgical and critical care environments are emphasized. American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications are incorporated in the course, as these are required for employment in Respiratory Care.
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Contacts
Donna Davis, Chair
(530) 895-2827
Department Office: AHPS 251
(530) 893-7533
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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