Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty encompassing the
diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of problems affecting
the respiratory and cardiovascular system.
Respiratory Therapy practitioners work side-by-side with physicians,
and other healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. They set up
oxygen, perform pulmonary function testing, maintain ventilators,
administer respiratory drugs, and evaluate patient health status.
Respiratory therapy is a rapidly growing, people-oriented profession.
The demand for practitioners is increasing in New Mexico and
throughout the United States. While most graduates continue to find
employment in hospitals, opportunities are opening up with medical
equipment suppliers and agencies providing home health care
to pulmonary patients.
The Respiratory Therapy program at Doña Ana Community College
is a full-time program that leads to an associate of applied science
degree. Through classroom instruction and laboratory practice,
students develop the knowledge needed to care for patients. They
acquire additional hands-on experience in the clinical setting at surrounding
hospitals.
The curriculum and clinical hour content is based on the National
Standard Curriculum from the American Association of Respiratory
Therapy (AARC) and the national accrediting body CoARC (coarc.org). The Respiratory Therapy Program is designed to prepare students
to have mastered competency in assessment, diagnosis and
treatment of the cardiopulmonary patient. Upon completion of the
program graduates are eligible to sit for their national licensure certification
and registry examinations.
Required Skills and Abilities
Students should be able to demonstrate good oral expression
(speech clarity) and written comprehension, critical thinking skills,
the ability to hear through a stethoscope or augmented listening device,
and physical stamina (e.g., the ability to stand for long periods
of time, manipulate respiratory therapy equipment, and move/lift
patients and equipment up to 50 pounds, unassisted).
Program Admissions Criteria
Respiratory Therapy is a limited-entry program. The following items
are among the criteria considered in the selection of successful program
applicants:
Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test scores care curriculum
A complete list is included in the application packet, available at
the Respiratory Therapy program office in room 191 (phone: 527-
7607).
Requirements to Participate in Clinical Practice
Clinical course work is required for completion of this program. Upon admittance and throughout the program, students will be required
to meet requirements of each clinical site in order to complete
the required course work. Requirements include but are not
limited to the following:
Background check through the designated college affiliate
(adverse findings may disqualify a student from continuing in
the program)
Current CPR certification
Current TB test
Record of immunizations for Measles, Mumps, Rubella,
Chicken Pox, Hepatitis B
Drug screening
NOTE: In a majority of cases, continuing employment in the field
is contingent upon successful completion of both the Certified Respiratory
Therapist (CRT) exam, as well as the Registered Respiratory
Therapist (RRT) exam. The RRT designation serves as the only
credential officially recognized in the field. It provides evidence that
the holder possesses the skills and abilities essential to the practice
of respiratory therapy, among them critical thinking, problem solving,
and advanced patient-assessment skills.
Associate Degree (72–76 credits)
NOTE: Respiratory Therapy majors must earn a C or better in all
Respiratory Therapy and related courses in order to remain in the
program. Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered
at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus. In addition
to the requirements listed here, certain Special Topics and
Independent Study courses may be recommended by the advisor.
