Refer to Admission: Respiratory Therapy (RESP) Program in Admission Information for special admission procedures and criteria.

Respiratory Therapists, also known as Respiratory Care Practitioners are allied health professionals trained and educated to care for patients in need of cardio-pulmonary support. Respiratory therapist assess, use diagnostic tests to evaluate, treat, educate, and provide care to patients from birth until the end-of-life. A respiratory therapist has probably provided you with care if you have or have ever had asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, suffered trauma, delivered a baby prematurely or by cesarean section, suffered a respiratory or cardiac arrest, or needed life support.

Specific testing techniques are employed in respiratory therapy to assist in diagnoses, monitoring, treatment and research. This includes measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows and blood gas analyses.

For all information on admission criteria, see the Respiratory Therapy Program website at https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs/health-professions/respiratory-therapy/

Grossmont College prepares the student for an Associate Degree in Science in Respiratory Therapy. In addition to the respiratory therapy courses, the major requires selected general education courses to be successfully completed for the degree. Upon completion of all degree requirements, the graduate is eligible to apply for the licensing exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). All states, excluding Alaska require licensure to practice as an RT.

The Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) located at 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690. https://coarc.com/

Graduates of the RT program are also eligible to transfer into a BSRT program upon completion of the program. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University and by private four-year colleges and universities.

Important: Any prior conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may influence eligibility for licensure as a Respiratory Therapist. A flagged background check or drug screen may also prohibit participation in the RT program and securing employment. Applicants with prior convictions are urged to contact the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) at 866-375-0386.

Career Opportunities

https://www.grossmont.edu/student-support/career-center/resources.php

Asthma Educator
Clinician
Critical Care Specialist
Department Supervisor¹ / Manager²
Educator (Academic)²
Equipment Sales Representative
Health Educator
Home Care Respiratory Specialist
Industrial Consultant
Medical Researcher²
Neonatal / Pediatric Respiratory Specialist
Pulmonary Function Specialist
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist

¹

Bachelor’s degree recommended.

²

Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate clinical information relevant to his/her role as a Respiratory Therapist.
2. Demonstrate the technical proficiency in all the skills necessary to fulfill the role as a Respiratory Therapist.
3. Demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations as a Respiratory Therapist.

All Allied Health and Nursing students adhere to the graduation requirements outlined in the college catalog for the academic year in which they enter the program.

Associate Degree Major Requirements

​Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher or “Pass.”

Course List

Code	Title	Units
RESP-101	Respiratory Therapy Orientation	0.5
RESP-105	Cardiopulmonary Physiology and Disease Entities	4
RESP-108	Basic Respiratory Therapy Equipment, Procedures and Life Support Systems	5
RESP-112	Supervised Clinical Practicum I	1.5
RESP-114	Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology	2
RESP-116	Assessment in Respiratory Care	2.5
RESP-118	Critical Care Life Support Equipment and Procedures	4.5
RESP-122	Supervised Clinical Practicum II	3
RESP-150	Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Care	3
RESP-201	Cardiopulmonary Pathology and Pathophysiology	4
RESP-205	Professionalism and Career Preparation for Respiratory Therapy	3.5
RESP-208	Invasive and Noninvasive Cardiopulmonary Monitoring	4
RESP-222	Supervised Clinical Practicum III	4
RESP-232	Supervised Clinical Practicum IV	4
RESP-268	Respiratory Therapy Home Care Techniques	2.5
Total Units		48

Recommended Electives 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
RESP-270	Respiratory Therapy Review	2