Respiratory Care

Keeping hearts beating and people breathing.

Imagine: it could be 7:30 a.m. and you’ve already brought a newborn back to life. But first you would need to study respiratory care, where jobs are growing faster than the national average and median annual income was $47,420 in 2006. The Respiratory Care Program prepares you to take an active role in the maintenance and/or restoration of cardiopulmonary homeostasis. The curriculum includes intensive course work in the supporting sciences and general education areas. Classroom instruction is supplemented with learning experiences in the campus laboratory and in area hospitals.

Available Credentials

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

• Respiratory Care (73-74 credit hours)

Certificates

• Electrocardiographic and Cardiac Monitoring Technician (18-20 credit hours) (This certificate is only available to currently enrolled Respiratory Care program students.)
• Polysomnographic Technologist (29 credit hours)
  Polysomnographic technologists, often called sleep technologists, are the healthcare practitioners who perform a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Polysomnographic (PSG) technologists operate a variety of sophisticated monitoring devices, which record brain activity (EEG), muscle and eye movements, respiration, blood oxygen levels, and other physiologic events. Technologists are also involved in the evaluation of various treatment methods. Polysomnographic technologists are typically employed in sleep laboratories located in medical centers, clinic/office settings, or free standing sleep labs. Some technologists transition into management and marketing of sleep centers, product sales and support, public and patient education regarding sleep disorders. Due to growing awareness of sleep disorders the need for sleep techs is on the rise. The average yearly salary is comparable to other allied health fields.

For course description, see the Program Brochure.
For class listings for advising session see, Class Listings Sheet.
For specific course requirements, see the KCTCS Course Catalog.
For program cost, see the Respiratory Care estimate worksheet.

Admission Requirements

This program has specific requirements that must be completed before acceptance into the program.

Forms

• Respiratory Care Program Application for Admission

Length of program

You can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

For more information

• Marcia Fuller, Professor - (270) 901-1078
• Jim Bronson, Associate Professor - (270) 901-1076

CoARC 2011 Annual Report Outcomes.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.