Michael Walls, Program Director
116-N Advanced Technology Center/ (304)367-4874
Michael.Walls@pierpont.edu
Hollie McDaniel-Brown, Director of Clinical Education
116-M Advanced Technology Center/ (304)367-4876
Hollie.Brown@pierpont.edu
Accrediting Agency
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
P.O. Box 54876
Hurst, TX 76054-4876
Phone: (817) 283-2835
Fax: (817) 354-8519
Program holds Provisional Accreditation
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.
Program Purpose
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 Therapist (RPTs).
Program Description and Application Process
The Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care is an intensive two-year limited enrollment program. Respiratory Therapy is a competitive admission program that admits one cohort each year. Cohorts are limited at 20 seats maximum. All program candidates must meet the published application deadline.
All courses in this model schedule must be passed with a grade of “C” or better for successful completion of this program. Upon completion of the required curriculum, graduates are eligible for national certifying examinations for Respiratory Therapist.
Before applications are reviewed by the Respiratory Care Selection Committee, students must have all documents relating to admission on file. The following must be received:
Program candidates will be evaluated and ranked by committee with a score sheet which compiles academic achievement, including overall GPA in high school and college; ACT composite and subscores; and grades in 10 credits of pre-requisite courses.
High School transcripts will be evaluated for those candidates with fewer than 12 completed college credit hours or no prior college credit. If a candidate is still attending high school, the grades of any completed higher level/advanced science and/or math courses with a “C” or better will be considered provided that the 10 credits of pre-requisite credits have also been completed. No other Science classes can substitute for the college-credit Anatomy & Physiology regardless of other indicators.
Minimum grade point average for admission is 2.50 or greater in High School OR 2.50 overall on college transcripts. Completing general education courses does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Once accepted into the program, courses must be taken in the sequence listed in the model schedule. All RESP courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Students are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and charges for physical examinations, uniforms, supplies, and textbooks. Accepted students must submit a complete annual physical examination form, including a doctor’s verification of physical and emotional ability to pursue a Respiratory Care career.
Prior to and during clinical practice rotations, a background check, minimum of one drug screen, immunization(s), and interview may be required to facilitate lab arrangements with area hospitals. It is up to the individual clinical sites to determine a student’s eligibility to participate in a clinical rotation there; Pierpont has no influence on a clinical site’s decision to accept a student based on the results of a background check, drug test results, or other criteria. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee job placement or success on NBRC exams.
Progression Requirements
- To progress in the respiratory program, a student must receive a grade of “C” or above in each course in the model schedule.
- All Respiratory courses must be completed in the sequence displayed in the model schedule.
- Failure to meet either of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program.
- Dismissed students may re-apply and will be assessed and scored by the system in place at that time. Re-applying does not guarantee re-entry into the program.
- A student who has been dismissed from the program twice, may not re-apply to the program.
Exit Requirements: To successfully graduate from the Respiratory Care Program
- A student must have a grade of “C” or above in each course in the model schedule and have a cumulative G.P. A. of 2.0 or higher.
- Students must meet or exceed the cut score of 79 out of 140 correct answers on the program self-assessment exit exam administered within the last semester of the program.
- Students with scores of less than 79 will be given an incomplete for RESP 2260 and will be given a year to pass a version of the exam with a score of 79 or higher.
- Students not meeting the cut score and wishing to retest are required to pay for any additional exam attempts.
- Students receiving incomplete grades who pass the exit exam with a score of 79 or higher within the calendar year will be given a final grade of “C” for RESP 2260 ; students who do not retest within the calendar year or who receive a score below 79 will be given a grade of “F” in RESP 2260 .
- The initial cost of the self-assessment exit exam is included within RESP 2260 course fees. Students needing to retake the exam will do so at their own cost.
Opportunities
Completion of this program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care and eligibility for the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) which can result in the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and/Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials. Additional credentials that may be challenged include: Certified and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT, RPFT), Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Asthma Educator Certificate (AE-C) and Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS).
As certified or Registered Therapist graduates may expect to find employment in home care, acute and sub-acute setting, diagnostic laboratories, research, case management, sleep laboratories, and asthma education.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapist is expected to increase faster than average over the next decade. According to the 2009 Human Resources study from the AARC, the projected average annual earnings of RTs working in the U.S. is $62,223. In this study, and depending on the areas of the country, therapists just beginning their careers reported average annual earnings ranging from $42,078- $47,297
Successful completion of the AAS Respiratory Care program of study does not guarantee success on the NBRC examination or job placement.
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