Mar 28, 2024  
Fall 2018 Course Catalog 
    
Fall 2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Respiratory Care A.A.S.


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School: Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning
Academic Dept: Allied Health Careers
HEGIS: 5215
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Jose Quinones
Telephone: 914-606-6883
Email: jose.quinones@sunywcc.edu

 

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Fall 2018. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Defined

The purpose of the A.A.S. is to be fully trained for immediate employment upon graduation. Students who opt to continue on to pursue higher levels of education are encouraged to check with the receiving institution regarding transferability of credits. Click to learn more  about the differences among award types.

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission to the Wait List

Program Description


Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty involved in life saving and life support situations. Under medical supervision, the respiratory therapist is involved in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. These patients may be found in the newborn nursery, surgical and medical units, emergency room, intensive care units, extended care facilities, and the home.

Respiratory care personnel deal with acute and chronic conditions that are life-threatening or disabling. They must be highly skilled in patient assessment, pulmonary rehabilitation, therapeutic use of medical gases and administration apparatus, aerosol therapy, bronchopulmonary drainage and exercises, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintenance of artificial airways, and mechanical ventilation. The Respiratory Therapist is a life support specialist, and an integral part of the intensive care team.

Various testing techniques are employed in respiratory care to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and research. These tests include stress testing, electrocardiogram analysis, capnography, sleep apnea testing, pulse oximetry, measurement of pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, and hemodynamic monitoring. The college’s program in Respiratory Care meets the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) requirements for certification and registration. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department and by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (link to CoARC outcomes data below). The course of study is designed to teach students the principles as well as the clinical and technical skills needed for the practice of respiratory care. The program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis.

The curriculum requires practical experience with patient contact at cooperating hospitals, including Northern Westchester Hospital, Lawrence Hospital, Blythesdale Children’s Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, Sound Shore Hospital Medical Center, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital, White Plains Hospital Medical Center, and Burke Rehabilitation Center. Rotations include cardiac catheterization, open-heart surgery, neo-natal/pediatric/adult critical care, tracheal intubation, home-care/rehabilitation, stress testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, bronchoscopy, hyperbaric chambers, and pulmonary function testing.

All procedures are also practiced in the college’s state-of-the-art respiratory care laboratory. In addition, the college library has a wide variety of current texts, journals, periodicals, and computer assisted instructional materials. Faculty includes educators who have graduate degrees as well as all NBRC clinical and specialty credentials. Physician input is provided by a team of Board Certified Pulmonologists. There is a formal Respiratory Care Tutorial program to assist students with lecture, lab and clinical issues. In addition remediation sessions by the faculty are available when warranted.

The program requires two five-week clinical practicums during the summer sessions. Students must successfully complete NBRC generated exams to pass Summer Clinical 2. An appropriate credit fee is charged. Uniforms and attendance are mandatory for all clinical sessions. Students are also required to pay a modest annual malpractice insurance fee. (See Financial Information, Fees .)

Required Screening


Students admitted into this program must complete, at their own expense, a successful criminal background check and drug screening prior to beginning clinical courses. Please consult the curriculum chair of your program for additional details regarding the timetable and procedure for completing these requirements.

Additional Program Notes


Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all Respiratory Care Courses in order to continue in the program. All students must have an annual medical exam and receive medical clearance prior to clinical rotation assignments.

Additional Resources


Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to read prescriptions correctly, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess accurately a patient’s condition.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to recommend appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using patient data from laboratory and physiologic evaluations.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to monitor correctly a patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult.

Program Requirements


General Education Requirements - 21 Credits


Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

Minimum Total Credits - 69


Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click to download the Respiratory Care A.A.S. Educational Plan (PDF) .

Career Path Opportunities


Career Coach: Explore Your Career PathAre you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Transfer Opportunities


Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process for its incoming and graduating students. To ensure its graduates enjoy a seamless transfer with junior status to another college in the same discipline at both institutions (transferred from/to) and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer, Westchester Community College has signed Transfer Articulation Agreements with many colleges that offer bachelor’s degree programs. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transferarticulation to see a list of Articulation Agreements by institution or search by a specific program of study. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transfer for additional transfer resources and contacts.

Transfer Scholarship Opportunities

Many colleges and universities are eager to have Westchester Community College graduates transfer to their institutions. Consider this an incentive to complete your WCC degrees with high honors!  Go to www.sunywcc.edu/scholarships to view the many transfer scholarship opportunities to four-year colleges.

Getting Started


Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.
 

Apply Now

 

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