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Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Learn more about a rapid growing career in respiratory care and our two-year Respiratory Therapist Associate of Science Degree program.


Apply for Clinicals

What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists:
  • Provide hands-on care to help people recover from various medical conditions
  • Work with all kinds of patients, including accident victims on mechanical ventilators, elderly people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, children suffering from asthma and premature infants with underdeveloped lungs
  • Draw and analyze blood specimens to determine the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases in order to assess the best course of treatment
  • Use mechanical ventilation for treating patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own
  • Administer medications to help alleviate breathing problems and help prevent respiratory infections
  • Have good communications skills and attention to detail
  • Learn more about the career (American Association for Respiratory Care- AARC -website)
  • Attend a respiratory therapist program information session - check back for Spring dates

How much does the program cost?

 

Will I be eligible for credentials? 
  • You can become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) after completing a national credentialing exam.
  • You will be eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania.

What are the required courses and what is the suggested schedule? How long does the program take to complete? Where are the clinical classes held?
  • Download Courses Required/Suggested Schedule (pdf).
  • HACC holds Respiratory classes at the Harrisburg Campus. Prerequisite courses are offered at other campuses and sites.
     
Is the program accredited?

The program is in continuing accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 364 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN  37680, 817-283-2835.  Program #:200296. 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.


Can I advance my education in this field?


What are the program goals?

The program goal 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)."


What is the most current program effectiveness data?
 
How can I get more information?


Who can I contact for more information? 

Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu


Respiratory Therapy Program Office
HACC Harrisburg Campus
Blocker Hall Room 101
Harrisburg, PA  17110
717-221-1392