Respiratory Care

Program Director: Stacy Taylor
Office: Multipurpose Building, Room 239
Address: 802 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 880-8854
E-mail: respiratorycare@lit.edu
Medical Director: N. Jeff Alford, M.D.

Respiratory therapists provide hands-on care that helps people recover from a wide range of medical conditions. Respiratory Therapists are employed in hospitals where they provide breathing treatments, manage ventilators for the critically ill in intensive care units, deliver lifesaving treatments in emergency rooms, and neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Respiratory therapists also provide home care in patients' homes, assist with diagnosing sleep disorders, work to provide care for patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, and assist in emergency transports.

The purpose of the 66 SCH Respiratory Care Program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of Respiratory Care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapist. The students of this program will prepare for careers in Respiratory Care through lectures, laboratories, and clinical experience aimed at qualifying the student for certification and registration by the National Board for Respiratory Care. A graduate of this two year instructional program is awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree.

The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas 76021-4244, 817-283-2835, www.CoARC.com.

The program has a limited capacity and selects students based upon defined criteria. Students who are interested in applying to the Respiratory Care Program must complete an application to 1) Lamar Institute of Technology and 2) the Respiratory Care Program. Individuals interested in applying must also complete all Texas Success Initiative Requirements. Students are expected to complete the pre-admission courses prior to admission into the program.

Applications and selection criteria are available from the Respiratory Care Program office in the Multipurpose Building. Completed application forms, transcripts and a criminal background screen are to be submitted to the Director of Respiratory Care Program by April 15. Applicants will be notified of a mandatory orientation session after the application deadline of April 15.

Specific graduation requirements for the Respiratory Care Program are:

1. A minimum grade of "C" must be earned in all courses outlined in the program of study.
2. A grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained in all courses submitted on the degree plan
3. Take and pass the NBRC Secured Comprehensive Therapist Multiple Choice, and the Clinical Simulation Self-Assessment Examination.
4. Satisfy LIT graduation requirements.

After graduation, earning the passing score of the National Board of Respiratory Care entry-level Therapist Multiple Choice examination, the graduate earns the title of "Certified Respiratory Therapist" (C.R.T.).Earning the passing score for the advanced-level of the Therapist Multiple Choice examination enables the graduate to take the Clinical Simulation Exam offered by the National Board Respiratory Care. A passing score on the Clinical Simulation will earn the graduate the Registered Respiratory Therapist (R.R.T.) credential. For more information about a career in the Respiratory care profession, visit www.AARC.org.

Awards

• Respiratory Care, A.A.S