Respiratory Therapy

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Respiratory Therapy

https://www.northwestms.edu/programs/healthsciences/respiratory-therapy

Respiratory Therapy is the allied medical discipline that works under the direction of a physician to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Students are trained to develop the necessary clinical skills for advanced cardiac life support, advanced patient assessment, neonatal/ pediatric management, home care/pulmonary rehabilitation, advance mechanical ventilation and pulmonary function testing. During clinical practice, the student will rotate through area hospitals where preceptors and clinical instructors will work closely with them allowing direct patient care.

The Respiratory Therapy program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The Associate of Applied Science degree curriculum will prepare the graduate to take the national credentialing exam.

Special admissions requirements: Admission to the program is very competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. It is suggested that the student speak with a Respiratory Therapy Program instructor when registering for the prerequisite courses.

Application Criteria:

Age: 18 by the time clinical rotation occurs

Have a high school diploma or equivalent on file with the NWCC office of admissions and records.

Have a NWCC ID (see below how to get an NWCC ID)

ACT: 18 composite score or greater. Applicants with bachelor’s degree or greater may waive the ACT score if they have a GPA of 3.25 or better on the academic courses required in the curriculum and have taken their science courses within the last five years. The ACT score is required for entry into the Respiratory Therapy program for students of every age and background, regardless of previous college experience. Applicants who have never taken the ACT should contact the counseling office for an application. Those who have taken the exam and are not sure of their score should first contact their high school and ask if it is posted on their transcript. If not, the applicant can contact the ACT office to request a copy of scores at: ACT records, P.O. Box 451, Iowa City, IA, 52243: Telephone: (319)337-1313. 

Have a grade of “C” or greater in Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture/lab). Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture/lab) and College Algebra.

Completed Respiratory Observation Log (due June 1st).

Completed Respiratory application packet (due June 1st).

Complete: Online application for the Respiratory Therapy Program (RT) at 

Applications: All required applications, transcripts, logs, forms, etc are due by June 1st for Fall enrollment.

Respiratory Therapy Faculty

Debra Lenox, MHA, RRT
Program Director of Respiratory Care
dlenox@northwestms.edu
662-280-6155

Tessa McMinn
662.280.6155
tmcminn@northwestms.edu

Programs

• Respiratory Therapy, A.A.S.

Courses

• RCT 1213 - Respiratory Care Science
• RCT 1223 - Patient Assessment And Planning
• RCT 1313 - Cardiopulmonary Anatomy And Physiology
• RCT 1322 - Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
• RCT 1415 - Respiratory Care Technology I
• RCT 1424 - Respiratory Care Technology II
• RCT 1516 - Clinical Practice I
• RCT 1523 - Clinical Practice II
• RCT 1613 - Respiratory Care Pharmacology
• RCT 2333 - Cardiopulmonary Pathology
• RCT 2434 - Respiratory Care Technology III
• RCT 2534 - Clinical Practice III
• RCT 2546 - Clinical Practice IV
• RCT 2613 - Neonatal/Pediatrics Management
• RCT 2712 - Respiratory Care Seminar

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