Respiratory Therapy Program
What is a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapy is a health care specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists provide treatment that can range from giving emergency relief to patients with asthma to long-term care for chronic conditions such as emphysema.
Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of Respiratory Therapists, a growing number can expect to work outside of hospitals in home healthcare services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners or consumer goods rental firms. Home healthcare in particular is a bright spot on the horizon due to technological advances that permit complex respiratory therapy care to be administered in the home.
Associate Degree Program
When you become a respiratory therapy student at Pima Medical Institute, you'll develop professional skills in advanced respiratory care techniques, including neonatal and adult special care procedures, general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics.
Courses:
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits |
| CSK 101 | Study Skills | 16 | 1.0 | ||
| CMT 105 | Medical Terminology | 16 | 1.0 | ||
| IC 111 | Introduction to Computer/Technical Writing | 16 | 1.0 | ||
| MT 102 | Math Applications | 32 | 2.0 | ||
| CHP 110 | General Sciences | 38 | 2.5 | ||
| BIO 126 | Anatomy & Physiology | 62 | 4.0 | ||
| MB 115 | Microbiology | 22 | 1.0 | ||
| AP 116 | Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology | 30 | 2.0 | ||
| AP 117 | Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology | 74 | 4.5 | ||
| PC 120 | Patient Assessment | 28 | 6 | 2.0 | |
| Semester I Total | 334 | 6 | 21.0 | ||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits |
| RX 150 | Pharmacology | 34 | 2.0 | ||
| RES 130 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 44 | 28 | 3.5 | |
| RES 140 | Cardiopulmonary Diseases | 40 | 2.5 | ||
| RES 160 | Respiratory Pediatrics | 30 | 2.0 | ||
| RES 170 | Respiratory Therapeutics I | 32 | 24 | 2.5 | |
| RES 175 | Respiratory Therapeutics II | 48 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Semester II Total | 228 | 112 | 17.5 | ||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits |
| CCM 125 | Communications | 24 | 1.5 | ||
| RES 190 | Respiratory Care Practicum I | 252 | 5.5 | ||
| RES 200 | Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Wellness | 20 | 1.0 | ||
| RES 210 | Critical Care Techniques | 34 | 16 | 2.5 | |
| RES 240 | Emergency Care | 52 | 3.0 | ||
| RES 220 | Advanced Patient Assessment | 36 | 10 | 2.5 | |
| Semester III Total | 166 | 26 | 252 | 16.0 | |
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits |
| RES 250 | Advanced Pharmacology | 46 | 3.0 | ||
| RES 230 | Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics | 38 | 2.5 | ||
| RES 280 | Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation | 58 | 58 | 5.5 | |
| RES 290 | Respiratory Care Practicum II | 252 | 5.5 | ||
| Semester IV Total | 142 | 58 | 252 | 16.5 | |
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits |
| CSK 200 | Career Preparation | 16 | 1.0 | ||
| RES 270 | Cardiovascular Diagnostics | 50 | 3.0 | ||
| RES 260 | Respiratory Perinatology | 50 | 3.0 | ||
| RES 285 | Advanced Mechanical Ventilation | 58 | 20 | 4.5 | |
| RES 295 | Respiratory Care Practicum III | 216 | 4.5 | ||
| RES 275 | NBRC Review Course | 30 | 2.0 | ||
| Semester V Total | 204 | 20 | 216 | 18.0 | |
| PROGRAM TOTALS | 1074 | 222 | 720 | 89.0 | |
The Las Vegas program includes one additional 3 credit class (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Successful completion of HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution is required either online or on-ground prior to graduation.
The Chula Vista program includes one unique class (PSY 100 Interpersonal Communications, 1 credit) and eliminates one class (CSK 200 Career Preparation, 1 credit).
Job Outlook
Older Americans suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the need for respiratory therapists will increase as well. In addition, advances in treating victims of heart attacks, accident victims, and premature infants (many of whom are dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment) will increase the demand for the services of respiratory therapists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase 28 percent nationally through the year 2020.* Professionals in this growing career field are in demand.
Licensure and Certification
Graduates of Pima's Respiratory Therapist school program receive an associate degree and may sit for all National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams.
Program Length
Approximately 21 months
For more detailed information on Pima's Respiratory Therapy School program specifics and financial aid eligibility, please visit your local campus below:
Albuquerque, New Mexico Chula Vista, California Denver, Colorado Houston, Texas NEW! Las Vegas, Nevada Mesa, Arizona Renton, Washington Tucson, Arizona
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Respiratory Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm
Programmatic Accreditation Information
View respiratory therapy program accreditation information by campus
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Outcomes data from the 2011 Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: http://www.coarc.com/47.html.
