RESOURCES FOR:
Admission to this program requires a special application.
The Respiratory Care program prepares graduates for entry-level and advanced-level practitioner positions in the RC profession. Respiratory therapists, under the supervision of a physician, see patients of all ages to assist in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of pulmonary problems.
The practice of respiratory care entails:
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting patients' cardiopulmonary status
- Providing treatments to keep the airway open
- Sleep studies
- Metabolic studies
- Patient and family education
- Home care
- Discharge planning and follow up
- Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation
See RC program Mission and Goals.
The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), located at 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244; phone: 817-283-2835. Verification of program accreditation can be viewed at the CoARC Web site. The SWIC RC graduate licensure pass rate, averaged over the last three years, is 100 percent.
Educational Program
Associate in Applied Science (020A)
Refer to the RC Application Planning Guide and Special Application FAQ for detailed information. Upon acceptance, a criminal background check and random drug testing is required.
Career Opportunities
Respiratory therapists work in a variety of settings:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Skilled care facilities
- Physician's offices
- Home health care agencies
- Medical product companies
Job opportunities for respiratory therapists are very good, especially for therapists with experience working with infants. Employment is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2006-2016, faster than average from all occupations. SWIC RC graduate survey results (averaged over a three-year period) indicate 100 percent of graduates are employed six months after graduation.