Respiratory Therapy Technology

Associate of Applied Science

Overview

COTC’s respiratory therapy program prepares you for a career as a respiratory therapist. A respiratory therapist is trained to help people with lung diseases or disorders. They assess, diagnose and treat patients who have difficulty breathing. They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, in conjunction with physicians and nurses to come up with treatment plans aimed at best helping restore as much natural breathing function as possible. Most respiratory therapists are employed in hospitals as staff therapists with the opportunity to advance into lead, charge, and supervisory therapist roles. Respiratory therapists are also employed by homecare companies that provide care to patients in the home.

In addition to classroom learning, you will practice skills in our state-of-the-art simulation lab and gain real-world experience through clinical placements at several hospitals in central Ohio. At COTC, you will learn:

  • the different pathologies of cardiopulmonary disease
  • how to manage patient airways and establish airways through endotracheal intubation
  • the various modes of invasive and non-invasive ventilation
  • to communicate and work collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team
  • selection of appropriate oxygen and humidification delivery devices
  • the various equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease

Limited Permit

After one year, you can apply for a limited permit through the state medical board. This limited permit allows you to work as a respiratory therapist directly under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist where you will gain valuable experience to help you be successful for the remainder of the program and throughout your career.

License/Credentialing Eligibility

Graduates who have successfully completed the program are eligible to sit for the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Future Start Dates

The respiratory therapy technology program begins each autumn semester at the Newark campus. The deadline to apply is June 15.

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Program Accreditation

The Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) Respiratory Therapy Technology (program number 200679), AAS degree program at the Newark, Ohio, campus location holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690 USA 
817.283.2835

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

Coarc programmatic outcomes data

Program Outcomes

The goal of COTC’s respiratory therapy associate degree program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate theoretical competence in applied respiratory care.
  • Demonstrate clinical competence in applied respiratory care.
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior consistent with professional and community expectations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to measure, evaluate, and document patient data and recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions for patient care.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply and evaluate information relevant to his/her role as a registered respiratory therapist.
  • Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, time management skills, interpersonal communication skills, and technical skills necessary to provide competent respiratory care in multidisciplinary care settings.
  • Demonstrates an appreciation for and acceptance of cultural diversity.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I complete the respiratory therapy technology associate degree?

Students who enroll full time will complete the respiratory therapy technology associate degree in two years.

Can I take classes online or face-to-face?

Students are required to take classes on campus for the respiratory therapy program. Some general education courses may be available online, but students should plan to be on campus to use equipment and engage in hands-on learning.

What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?

COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.

Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.

See scholarships for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.