AAS Degree

Program Overview

A.A.S. degree, 111 credits (31 in related instruction, 80 in major)

• Prepares students for the National Board Registered Therapist exams and for licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner in Washington State.
• Students can begin the Respiratory Care program in fall quarter only; work on related instruction can begin any quarter.
• Respiratory Care might be a good fit for you if you enjoy science and are interested in patients with heart/ lung disorders. Respiratory Therapists work under the direction of a physician as part of a healthcare team.
• Areas of study include human anatomy & physiology, applied microbiology and chemistry, and a wide array of courses in respiratory care.
• Respiratory Therapists generally work in acute care hospitals, sub-acute and skilled nursing facilities, medical clinics, research, home care, rehabilitation facilities, and sales and education.

The Respiratory Care Program is a seven-quarter full-time program offering an associate of applied science degree. The program prepares individuals for entry into respiratory care and for the Advanced Practitioner Exam given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Under the direction of a physician, the respiratory care practitioner works with other health-care professionals to deliver health care in the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders including the use of medical gases, medications, aerosols, lung drainage, ventilatory support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, respiratory disease management and diagnostic testing. Classroom and laboratory instruction is combined with clinical experiences in various local health-care facilities. The program meets respiratory care practitioner licensure requirements of the State of Washington, and is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The Respiratory Care Program is for; (1) new students with no prior experience entering the field of health care; and (2) students with previous pre-professional science classes or those holding degrees in other areas. Enrollment into the program occurs only in fall quarter. New students can begin taking support courses in preparation for the fall quarter start.

The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.org).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727)210-2350

Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

1248 Harwood Road
Bedford Texas 76021-4244
(817)283-2835

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities are available in every area of the country. Employment can be found in acute care hospitals, sub-acute and skilled nursing facilities, medical clinics, research, home care, rehabilitation, sales and education. Practitioners work side-by-side with nurses and doctors as a respected member of the health care team. Hospitals encourage their staff practitioners to continually learn and to improve their skills and often pay for continuing education. Respiratory care is also a career with job mobility and advancement opportunities.

There is an increasing demand for respiratory care practitioners in the King county area due to the expansion of healthcare facilities, increased healthcare consumption and expanding roles of respiratory care practitioners. By 2016, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 23% increase in employment for respiratory care practitioners and states the job outlook to be very good.

For Further Information:

Respiratory Care Program
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 344-4347
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337