DACC – Las Cruces

Dona Ana Branch Community College (Las Cruces)

Respiratory Therapy Program
Associate of Applied Science Degree
(575) 527-7607

Information based on the 2009-10 DACC Catalog

Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty encompassing the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of problems affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system.

Respiratory Therapy practitioners work side-by-side with physicians, and other healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. They set up oxygen, perform pulmonary function testing, maintain ventilators, administer respiratory drugs, and evaluate patient health status. Respiratory therapy is a rapidly growing, people-oriented profession. The demand for practitioners is increasing in New Mexico and throughout the United States. While most graduates continue to find employment in hospitals, opportunities are opening up with medical equipment suppliers and agencies providing home health care to pulmonary patients…….

The Respiratory Therapy program at Doña Ana Community College is a full-time program that leads to an associate of applied science degree. Through classroom instruction and laboratory practice, students develop the knowledge needed to care for patients. They acquire additional hands-on experience in the clinical setting at surrounding hospitals.

CoARC

CoARC
1248 Harwood Rd
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835
(817) 354-8519 (fax)

The curriculum and clinical hour content is based on the National Standard Curriculum from the American Association of Respiratory Therapy (AARC) and the national accrediting body CoARC (coarc.com). The Respiratory Therapy Program is designed to prepare students to have mastered competency in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the cardiopulmonary patient. Upon completion of the program graduates are eligible to sit for their national licensure certification and registry examinations.

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Required Skills and Abilities

Students should be able to demonstrate good oral expression (speech clarity) and written comprehension, critical thinking skills, the ability to hear through a stethoscope or augmented listening device, and physical stamina (e.g., the ability to stand for long periods of time, manipulate respiratory therapy equipment, and move/lift patients and equipment up to 50 pounds, unassisted).

Program Admissions Criteria

Respiratory Therapy is a limited-entry program. The following items are among the criteria considered in the selection of successful program applicants:

  • Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test scores care curriculum
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Completion of the following courses:
    • CHEM 110GCHEM 110G: Principles and Applications of Chemistry – 4 cr. (3+3P)
      A survey of the properties and uses of the elements and their compounds. In addition to classical chemistry, attention is paid to the materials from which consumer products are made, to the production of energy, and to environmental considerations. Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math or CCDM 114N. – Principles and Applications of Chemistry
    • OEHO 116OEHO 116: Math for Health Occupations – 3 cr.
      Principles of math and pharmacology necessary for administration of medications. Prerequisite(s): CCDM 114N or equivalent. Restricted to: All Community Colleges. – Math for Health Occupations
    • OEHO 153OEHO 153: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 cr. (3+3P)
      Survey of human anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: high school biology or high school chemistry, or CHEM 110G, or consent of instructor. – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I
    • OEHO 154OEHO 154: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 cr. (3+3P)
      Continuation of OEHO 153. Prerequisites: CHEM 110G and OEHO 153, or consent of instructor. – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II
    • OEHO 253OEHO 253: Microbiology for Health Occupations – 4 cr. (3+3P)
      Study of the relationship between pathogenic organisms and disease processes. Prerequisites: high school biology and high school chemistry, CHEM 110G, and OEHO 153 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Corequisite: OEHO 154 or equivalent. – Microbiology for Health Occupations

A complete list is included in the application packet, available at the Respiratory Therapy program office in room 191 (phone: 527- 7607).

Requirements to Participate in Clinical Practice

Clinical course work is required for completion of this program. Upon admittance and throughout the program, students will be required to meet requirements of each clinical site in order to complete the required course work. Requirements include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Background check through the designated college affiliate (adverse findings may disqualify a student from continuing in the program)
  2. Current CPR certification
  3. Current TB test
  4. Record of immunizations for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis B
  5. Drug screening

NOTE: In a majority of cases, continuing employment in the field is contingent upon successful completion of both the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam, as well as the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam. The RRT designation serves as the only credential officially recognized in the field. It provides evidence that the holder possesses the skills and abilities essential to the practice of respiratory therapy, among them critical thinking, problem solving, and advanced patient-assessment skills.

Associate Degree (72–76 credits)

NOTE: Respiratory Therapy majors must earn a C or better in all Respiratory Therapy and related courses in order to remain in the program. Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus. In addition to the requirements listed here, certain Special Topics and Independent Study courses may be recommended by the advisor.