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Respiratory Care
Respiratory care is a professionally and personally rewarding career with a balanced blend of technology and patient interaction. Working under the medical direction of doctors to provide treatment to patients with heart and lung disorders, respiratory therapists are important members of the health care team.
Featured Story
Respiratory Grad Finds Health Care Niche
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Precious Logan always dreamed of a career in health care. She wanted to help people.
After graduating from Greenwood High School, Logan took her first step into the health care field by earning her certified nursing assistant certificate (CNA). She enrolled at a four-year university, but...
A Career in Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory care is a professionally and personally rewarding career with a balanced blend of technology and patient interaction.
Working under the medical direction of doctors to provide treatment to patients with heart and lung disorders, respiratory therapists are important members of the health care team. As a respiratory therapist, you’ll provide treatment for all age groups—from infants to the elderly.
Employment for respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 23 percent through 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to greater demand for respiratory therapy services and
treatments, mostly in hospitals and nursing homes.
Special Application Requirements
The Respiratory Care program has special program admission criteria which must be completed prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program. A student may be admitted to the college at any time in order to complete prerequisite and general education coursework.
What Will I Do as a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory care is used primarily in the treatment of heart and lung diseases such as cardiac failure, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and shock. The registered respiratory therapist is trained to assist the medical staff with the treatment, management and care of patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities or deficiencies.
Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Others may work in nursing care facilities or travel to patients’ homes.
Some Job Duties May Include:
- Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
- Consult with physicians to develop patient treatment plans
- Perform diagnostic tests such as measuring lung capacity
- Treat patients, using a variety of methods, including chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications
- Monitor and record the progress of treatment
- Supervise respiratory therapy technicians during tests and evaluate the findings of the tests
Career Quick Facts
- Career Outlook
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- Median Salary Average: $55,190
- SC Salary Range: $42,670-$73,920
- 100% placement rate for 2017-2018 graduates
Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Entry Level Positions
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- Respiratory Therapy Technician
- Respiratory Therapist
- Advancement to supervisor and management positions possible
- Employers
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- Abbeville Area Medical Center
- Aiken Regional Medical Centers
- B-L Family Practice, P.A.
- Carolina Bone & Joint Clinic
- Carolina Health Centers
- Carolina Imaging Center
- Carolina Nephrology
- Doctors Care
- Edgefield County Hospital
- Encompass Health
- Express Medical Care
- Greenwood Family Practice (Physicians Care Walk In Clinic)
- Greenwood Genetic Center
- Greenwood Urological
- Lakelands Orthopedic Clinic
- Laurens County Health Care (Now Prisma Health)
- Lexington Medical Center
- McCormick Correctional Institution
- McCormick Family Practice
- MD360 Convenient Care
- Mobilex USA
- Newberry County Memorial Hospital
- Palmetto Bone & Joint P.A.
- Providence Hospital
- Pruitthealth
- Regency Hospital
- Saluda Family Medicine
- Self Medical Group
- Self Regional Health Care
- St. Francis Health System
- Tower Pointe Medical Center
- United Mobile Imaging
- Vanderbilt University
- Vista Women's Healthcare
- Ware Shoals Center for Family Medicine
Program Information
With instruction in anatomy and physiology, respiratory physics, pharmacology and clinical training, the graduate of this program is prepared to provide care in various medical facilities.
Proficiency in all aspects of respiratory care, including diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic applications, prepares the student to take the entry and advanced level exams.
The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. Proficiency in all aspects of respiratory care, including diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic applications, prepares PTC students to take the entry and advanced level NBRC exams.
State Licensure Eligibility Information
Respiratory Care Application Process
Respiratory Care is a limited enrollment program that has special admissions requirements. These requirements must be completed before you can be accepted.
If you are a new student, there are three key steps to complete before entering the Respiratory Care program:
- Step 1: Apply to the college and complete the enrollment process
- Step 2: Take the necessary courses to become Program-Ready
- Step 3: Apply to the program
Are You Program-Ready?
Before applying for program entry, be sure you meet the requirements for acceptance. Start by connecting with an advisor and review program requirements.
We've also provided the resources below to assist you with the program acceptance process.
- Respiratory Care Fact Sheet
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Fact Sheets are designed for students and advisors to review program-specific requirements and program application procedures. Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic goals and progress, and to develop your individualized degree plan.
- Application Worksheet
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The application worksheet is used to calculate points toward competitive program entry.
- Health Care Program Acceptance Data
- Graduation Plan
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Our semester-by-semester graduation plans will show you when required courses in your major are offered. Following this plan will help you stay on track and graduate on time.
Students in the Health Care Certificate that are focusing on Respiratory Care should consider the following coursework to complete the appropriate program-ready and general education coursework needed for Respiratory Care.
- Health Care Division Handbook
- Health Care FAQ
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We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
- Guided Pathways
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Guided Pathways are designed to assist students in scheduling the order of courses to become program-ready or to complete the Health Care Certificate for their desired program.
College Prep Pathway
College Ready Pathway
Transitional Pathway
Apply to the Respiratory Care Program
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to become program ready, it’s time to apply to the program.
Applications are accepted for the fall entry into the Respiratory Care program on the following schedule
- Application Dates - May 1-16 (*application dates have changed to June 1-16, 2020 due to COVID-19)
- Notification of Program Acceptance Emails Sent - Mid July*
Program applications must be submitted during the scheduled dates for this program to be considered.
Note: If you haven't already done so, you must apply to the college before completing the Respiratory Care program application.
* Students accepted into any Health Care program will be required to attend a program orientation. Accepted students will NOT be excused from attending this mandatory orientation.