Respiratory Therapist (RPT)

The Respiratory Therapist program is designed to provide the student with didactic and clinical training in various techniques used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients who suffer from disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. The Respiratory Therapist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Graduates of the program are able to sit for national examinations to earn the credentials of CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist). CRT and/or RRT credentials are used as the basis for the licensure in all of the 49 states that regulate the practice of respiratory care.

The Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry-level respiratory therapists, as well as determine eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). There are two established cut scores for the TMC Examination, the first of which earns one the CRT credential and a higher cut score that qualifies examinees to sit for the CSE. Individuals who attempt and pass the TMC with the higher cut score and attempt and pass the CSE will be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Applicants to the Respiratory Therapist program should be aware that the Alabama State Law Governing Licensure of Respiratory Therapists requires submission of a complete application for licensure and must disclose information on the application regarding the following questions:

1. Are you currently charged with, or ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor
    
2. Have you ever pleaded “no contest”, “nolo contendre”, or “guilty” in any criminal case?
    
3. Have you ever had an adjudication withheld in any criminal case?


4. Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional impairments that would hinder your ability to perform duties assigned in the profession of Respiratory Therapy?
    
5. Are you or have you ever been addicted to alcohol or drugs?
    
6. Have you ever been treated for alcohol/substance abuse in a treatment center, hospital, or outpatient setting? If yes, give name of institution, date, and length of treatment.
    
7. Has any state licensing board refused, revoked, or suspended a certificate/license issued to you or taken other disciplinary action?
    
8. Have you voluntarily or otherwise surrendered your Healthcare or Respiratory license or certification/registry in any jurisdiction, state, or territory?
    
9. Are you currently under investigation by any health care licensing board or agency?
    
10. Have you had any malpractice suits filed against you or your employer on your behalf?

Criminal background checks and full disclosure are requirements of licensure. If applicants to the Respiratory Therapist program have questions concerning potential problems with licensure, they should contact the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy.

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

On successful completion of all Respiratory Therapist curriculum requirements, graduates are awarded the associate in applied science degree.

ADMISSION

Program requirements for health programs offered within the Alabama Community College System may be reviewed and revised between publication deadlines for this and future College Catalog and Student Handbook documents. Admission requirements below were in effect at the time this document was published and may or may not be current. Prospective students should contact the program office to obtain requirement updates.

Students admitted to the Respiratory Therapist program must meet all College admission requirements as listed in this catalog. Students are admitted to the program without discrimination regarding age, creed, marital status, race, religion, gender, or national origin. Selected applicants are admitted to and begin classes only in fall semester. Applications for admission may be obtained in March of each year. Complete application packets must be submitted prior to the deadline date provided in the application packet.

Acceptance into the Respiratory Therapist Program is conditional and depends on the student’s ability to perform the essential functions identified. A copy of the essential functions is available from the RPT program office and published on the College website, www.wallace.edu. Reasonable accommodations will be considered. Completion of a physical examination documenting the student’s ability to perform essential functions and proof of required  immunizations will be required prior to final acceptance. The applicant will incur the cost of the physical examination, laboratory tests, and immunizations.

Admission to the program is competitive and applicant ranking will determine final acceptance. Applicants will be ranked for admission based on academic performance (grade point average, completed courses) and performance on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills, ATI TEAS. Additional points are awarded for previously earned Associates or higher degrees from regionally accredited institutions. The applicant will incur the cost of the  ATI TEAS. Scores received on the ATI TEAS are good for three years from the testing date. It is highly desirable that general academic coursework be completed prior to application to the Respiratory Therapist Program. Applicants will be ranked in descending numerical order based on admission criteria. Final notification of admission status will be provided to each applicant by email.

Contractual agreements between the College and clinical agencies impose additional requirements on students enrolled in health programs. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the areas of attire, confidentiality, criminal background check, liability insurance, and substance abuse screening. Health insurance coverage is strongly recommended as the expense for treatment of injury suffered during training is the responsibility of the student. Any student denied clinical privileges or having clinical privileges revoked by a healthcare facility due to positive background findings or clinical misconduct is not eligible for program admission or readmission.

Minimum requirements for application and admission to the Respiratory Therapist Program are:

1. Unconditional admission to Wallace Community College.
    
2. A 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for those with previous college credit.
    
3. Eligibility to enroll for or previous completion with a “C” or higher of ENG101, MTH100, and BIO201 at the time of program application. Eligibility will be determined by College placement policies. Students enrolled in courses pre-requisite to ENG101, MTH100, and BIO201 at the time of application may be considered for conditional admission pending grade results at the end of summer term.
    
4. Completion of the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills, ATI TEAS, and submission of score results in the application packet.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION AND PROGRESSION

Participation in clinical activities within the program requires strict adherence to program, institutional, and clinical affiliate policies, including those related to professional standards of attendance, behavior, dress, personal appearance, and speech. Written policies are provided to each student on entrance into the program, and penalties for non-compliance are clearly explained. Students who are unable or unwilling to comply with program institutional, and clinical policies will not be allowed continued participation in clinical activity, thus resulting in failure to successfully complete the requirements of the clinical course and/or program. In addition to the statements above, students must meet each of the following criteria to continue to participate in the program, progress from term to term, and graduate from the Respiratory Therapist program.

1. Complete each course listed as a Respiratory Therapist program curriculum requirement with a grade of C or above.
    
2. Receive a passing score on the Cumulative Clinical Proficiency Examination administered at the end of each term in which a clinical course is contained.
    
3. Maintain certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support at the Healthcare Provider level. On-line certification without hands-on skills sessions is not acceptable. Students may repeat any RPT-prefix course only once. Failure to pass a course with the minimum acceptable grade of C or above on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the program without the possibility of readmission.

GRADING SCALE

RPT-prefix courses will be evaluated on the following grading scale:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 75-79

D 60-74

F 59 and below

READMISSION

Students who withdraw or are unable to progress in the Respiratory Therapist program may apply for readmission. The Respiratory Therapist Admissions Committee will consider readmission requests on an individual basis. Decisions regarding readmission will be based on program readmission policies in effect at the time of request and availability of openings. Students must apply for readmission by writing a letter to the Respiratory Therapist Admissions Committee, Respiratory Therapist Program, Wallace Community College, 1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, AL, 36303. To allow timely scheduling of the readmission examination, this letter should be postmarked no later than 60 days prior to the desired date of readmission. Failure to submit this request on time will result in denial or delay of readmission. Students who have been dismissed from any clinical facility are ineligible for readmission. Students may be considered for readmission only once. If a student fails to progress during the first semester of the program they must reapply for acceptance as a new student.

To complete readmission requirements, students must achieve a passing score (80%) on a readmission examination. The readmission examination will be composed from the content of the last Cumulative Clinical Proficiency Examination and Clinical Skills Examination successfully completed by the student. Failure to achieve a passing score on the readmission examination will result in denial of readmission.

AUDIT

Effective September 12, 2012 there shall be no auditing allowed for any Health Science classes.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students previously enrolled in other Respiratory Therapist programs will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine appropriate placement. Validation examinations may be required. Transfer students should apply for admission at least 60 days prior to the term in which they desire to enroll. Acceptance may be limited by availability of openings.

NOTE: Before completing this program, students must prove competency in computer applications. Students who fail to demonstrate adequate competency in Computer Science by passing a computer competency exam must successfully complete CIS 146 with a grade of C or higher. 

Certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) at the health care provider level is required for all students prior to the first hospital clinical experiences. Certification may be obtained at the College through enrollment in EMS 100 or from any other approved agency or facility. A copy of successful completion must be presented and certification must remain current during the entire program. On-line certification without hands-on skills sessions is not acceptable.