Respiratory Care
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists, or respiratory care practitioners, treat patients with abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system—or breathing disorders— under the direction of a licensed physician and as part of a health care team. Respiratory therapists administer therapeutic or diagnostic drugs to patients as part of a physician-prescribed treatment plan, implement a physician's orders for respiratory treatments, observe and monitor patient symptoms, and assist with administering medical gases (including hyperbaric or standard oxygen, vapor therapies and ventilation support). Administration of anesthesia falls outside the scope of practice of a respiratory therapist.
Respiratory therapists work at hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities, in private care facilities and commercial businesses that specialize in the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control and care of patients with breathing disorders that range from chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema to heart attack and accident victims, premature infants, and people with cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or AIDS. (OHLA-52 Rev 2/07). Detailed information is available at the American Association for Respiratory Care website: Be an RT
Respiratory Care Practitioners are required to be licensed in the State of Oregon. Requirements for licensure include graduation from an accredited respiratory care program, and successful completion the national Entry Level Exam thereby earning the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential.
Lane Community College Respiratory Care Program
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 (CoARC). The student earns an Associate of Applied Science degree on completion of the program. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates to pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Entry-Level Exam (CRT) and the Advanced Practitioner Examination to become competent Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT).
The Respiratory Care Program provides an integrated online/hands-on course of study. Theory and concepts are provided through highly interactive online delivery. Laboratory activities are managed in small groups during on-campus sessions. Clinical rotations are managed and arranged by the program’s Director of Clinical Education in co-operation with twelve clinical affiliates.