Program Description:  Take a deep breath and think about a career in respiratory care.  As a vital part of the health care team, respiratory therapists treat patients with breathing problems due to pulmonary and cardiac disease.  Respiratory therapists apply scientific principles to prevent, identify and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system.  Knowledge of the scientific principles as well as biomedical engineering and technology enable respiratory therapists to effectively assess, educate and treat patients.  Respiratory therapists also work with premature infants, pediatric and adult patients, trauma victims and patients who require life support.  Respiratory therapists administer inhaled medication, oxygen via various devices, monitor ventilators, draw and analyze blood and assist physicians with other related duties.Students learn pharmacology, basic treatments, critical care treatment and mechanical ventilation.  Successful completion of credentialing exam allows practitioners to become licensed, thus providing the student with the ability to work throughout the United States.   

Career opportunities:  The need for respiratory therapists is continuing to grow and job opportunities are expected to increase due to the large increase in the elderly population, the impact of environmental problems and technological advances in the treatment of lung disease, heart attack, cancer, accident victims and premature babies.  Respiratory therapists work in physician offices, homecare setting, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, sleep study departments and hospitals. 

Typical starting salary range:  The US Bureau of labor Statistics Report: “Occupational Employment and Wages for 29-1126 Respiratory Therapists”, May 2009 reports a mean hourly wage of $26.06 per hour and a mean annual wage of $54,200. 

Total number of credit hours in the program:  76 hoursAll students must bring an unofficial copy of all college transcripts from all high schools, colleges and university attended. Some students bring one transcript from one college and assume because it has mention of courses taken at other colleges that all is well. That is wrong. 

Certified Respiratory Therapists take note: You must get your transcripts evaluated NOW to determine what courses you need before you enter the program and to ensure that your non-Major courses are acceptable at HCC. Do not wait until just before the application deadline.  By then it is too late.
RESPIRATORY CARE ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

This applies to both “generic students” and advanced standing CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) students.

The following items must be on file with the Dale Mabry Campus Admissions Office by the posted deadline date in order for your application to be considered for this program.

 Send to:
Attention: Health Sciences Admissions              
Hillsborough Community College
Dale Mabry Campus
P.O. Box 30030
Tampa, FL  33630-3030

Deliver to:

HCC Dale Mabry Campus
Admissions and Records Office
First Floor
Student Services Building
Dale Mabry Campus

1. HCC application for admission and a $20.00 check payable to HCC.
2. Final official high school/GED transcripts sent to HCC
3. All official college transcript(s) sent to HCC.  You are strongly urged to request that these documents be sent to you in a sealed envelope
4. Proof of passing the prerequisite courses. (see ahead page 6 ) 

1. HCC Health Sciences application for admissions and a $53.00 check payable to HCC
2. Completed Florida Department of Law Enforcement consent form
3. Be at least 18 years old by the 1^st day of the start of the program
4. Copy of both your Florida license and your CRT card from the NBRC if you are a Certified Respiratory Therapist. 

The deadline to apply for August entry is February 15 for CRT students and May 15^th for generic students.

For students who have earned the credential Certified Respiratory Therapist from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): see last page of this documents regarding advanced standing (it is titled at the top: “AAS  Respiratory Care Transition  2010”.  If you do not possess this credential (CRT) you are a “generic” or regular student and this last page does NOT apply to you.