Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in people’s lives and seeking a rewarding career in healthcare? The Scc Respiratory Care Program offers a comprehensive pathway to becoming a skilled Respiratory Therapist (RT). This program, based at Spokane Community College, is designed to equip you with the knowledge and expertise necessary to excel in this fast-paced and vital healthcare field.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory Therapists are essential members of the healthcare team, providing care for patients of all ages, from premature infants to elderly adults, who are experiencing breathing difficulties and cardiopulmonary disorders. RTs are experts in managing and maintaining a patient’s airway, administering respiratory treatments, and operating advanced life support equipment.
Their responsibilities are diverse and critical, including:
- Operating Life Support Systems: Setting up and managing mechanical ventilators, administering therapeutic gases, and delivering aerosolized medications to patients facing cardiopulmonary emergencies.
- Emergency Response: Responding to critical situations like “code blue” calls, managing patient breathing, ensuring artificial airway patency, and performing CPR.
- Diagnostic and Monitoring Expertise: Utilizing advanced medical equipment to diagnose, treat, and monitor lung and heart function.
- Patient Education and Care: Working closely with patients to educate them about managing conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer, neuromuscular diseases, and pneumonia.
- Collaborative Healthcare: Functioning as an integral part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating with physicians and nurses across various settings including hospitals, clinics, air transport, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare environments.
Respiratory therapy is not only a demanding profession but also incredibly rewarding, offering excellent career growth prospects and the satisfaction of directly improving patient outcomes.
Why Choose the SCC Respiratory Care Program?
The SCC Respiratory Care Program at Spokane Community College provides a robust and competitive entry pathway into this dynamic field. The program’s curriculum is meticulously designed to meet industry standards and prepare graduates for successful careers as Respiratory Therapists.
Program Highlights:
- Competitive Entry: The program is a competitive entry program, ensuring a high standard of student quality and focused learning environment. Admission is based on GPA and letters of recommendation, reflecting the program’s commitment to selecting dedicated and capable individuals.
- Streamlined Curriculum: The program is structured to efficiently build upon your general education coursework. Upon acceptance into the respiratory-specific curriculum, your prior general education credits count as your freshman year. You then enter the program as a sophomore, with nine quarters of intensive, respiratory-focused content ahead.
- Technical Standards Focus: The program emphasizes the technical standards crucial for success in respiratory care. These standards encompass the physical, cognitive, and behavioral capabilities expected of practicing Respiratory Therapists. See Technical Standards for detailed information.
- Digital Application Transition: Spokane Community College is modernizing its application process. While transitioning to a fully online application system in the future, it’s important to check the ‘Special Application Requirements’ for the most up-to-date application guidelines.
Applying to the SCC Respiratory Care Program
To embark on your journey to becoming a Respiratory Therapist at SCC, ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements:
- Apply to SCC: Begin by applying to Spokane Community College.
- General Education Courses: Complete the required 45 credits of general education courses as outlined in the program map: program map.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit two letters of recommendation to support your application.
- Program Application: Apply directly to the Respiratory Care Program by the specified deadline.
Key Program Information:
- Program Start: Fall (competitive entry)
- General Education Credits: 45 credits
- Respiratory Care Specific Program Credits: 135 credits
- Class Size: Approximately 20 students per start
- Priority Application Deadline: June 30th for fall admission. Applications received after this date will be reviewed based on program capacity until September 1st.
- Application Packet: Application Packet
For deeper insights and to get your questions answered directly, attend the quarterly information sessions. Meet the program faculty in person or virtually to learn more. For session schedules, dates, and locations, please contact the department. If you are unable to attend a session, faculty are happy to schedule individual appointments with prospective students.
Take the first step towards a fulfilling and impactful healthcare career. Explore the SCC Respiratory Care Program and apply today! Contact Toni D’Amato at [email protected] or call 509-533-7307 for any inquiries.
