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Associate of Science
in Respiratory Care

• Careers in Respiratory Care
• Program Overview
• Purpose
• Program Highlights
• Admission Information
• PSB Aptitude Exam
• Assignment to Clinical Sites
• Program Notes
• Curriculum Plan
• Curriculum Checklist
• Accreditation
• Nursing Home Page
• Academic Programs
• Career Shadowing
• Professional Links

Respiratory care practitioners, also known as respiratory therapists, evaluate and care for individuals of all ages who have breathing and other cardiopulmonary ailments ranging from moderate to life-threatening. Respiratory care practitioners work closely with physicians and other health care professionals to provide a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients.

The field of respiratory care affords existing opportunities for career diversity. After attaining status as an advanced-level respiratory care practitioner, individuals may specialize in areas such as intensive care, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, polysomnography (the diagnosis of sleep disorders), education, administration, and others.

Qualified respiratory care practitioners are currently in very high demand. Because of the aging population and the increasing incidence of respiratory disease, the need for respiratory care practitioners is expected to "increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014" (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Job opportunities for respiratory care practitioners exist in hospitals, home health agencies, physician's offices, and other employment settings.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Clarion's University’s Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree program for advanced level practitioners is located at Venango Campus in Oil City and is sponsored through a partnership between Clarion University, UPMC Horizon, and UPMC Northwest. The 24-month program has an academic preparation of one academic year (two semesters) at Clarion University and continues with a 14-month program of clinical study at accredited affiliated clinical sites.

Entry into the respiratory care program is a two-step process that begins with acceptance to Clarion University. Acceptance to the university is available to individuals meeting standard university admission criteria. After acceptance to Clarion University, students must then be accepted to the respiratory care program. Admission to the respiratory care program is competitive and is not guaranteed.

PURPOSE

Clarion University’s Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree program prepares graduates as respiratory care practitioners at the advanced level (RRT-Registered Respiratory Therapist). The program affords students the opportunity to attain a clinical knowledge base in respiratory care as well as a liberal arts education that will aid in their role and function as health care professionals. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Written Registry Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Clarion University accepts transfer credits from other accredited colleges and universities. Certain guidelines, outlined in the undergraduate catalog, have been established to provide uniformity of transfer standards.  

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Obtain knowledge and skills for a career in respiratory care
• Obtain an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree from Clarion University
• Attend two semesters, full time, at Clarion University-Venango Campus (may also be completed on a part-time basis)
• Complete 14 months of clinical education at accredited affiliated clinical sites (must be completed on a full-time basis)
• Become eligible to sit for the Written Registry Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

• Successful completion of the NBRC Written Registry Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination entitles the graduate to use the credentials, “Registered Respiratory Therapist” (RRT) and to work in a variety of health care settings as an advanced-level respiratory therapist after obtaining state licensure.

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ADMISSION INFORMATION

Applicants to the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care – Advanced Level Practitioner degree program are required to meet the standard admissions criteria for Clarion University as well as all criteria specific to the respiratory care program including the admission criteria of UPMC Northwest. 

Possible Prerequisites

·         Students who do not place into the appropriate math level (Math 112 or higher) must take Math 050 or Math 110 before acceptance to the program.

·         One year of high school or college biology with a minimum grade of “C” or better

Note: Biology must have been taken within five years of entry to Clarion University. If biology has not been taken within this timeframe, Basic Biology (BIOL 111) will be required before acceptance to the program. 

Additional Admission Criteria Required by UPMC Northwest:

·         Successful hospital interview (will include a writing sample)

·         Satisfactory score on PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (fee applies)

·         Four documented hours of respiratory care career shadowing with a respiratory therapist

·         Two letters of recommendation from current employers or teacher

·         Satisfactory physical examination

·         Child abuse history clearance (fee applies)

·         Satisfactory results of a screening for illegal drug use

·         Criminal background clearance

·         Documentation of individual malpractice insurance as required*

·         $200 non-refundable deposit to UPMC Northwest by end of first fall semester

* Students will purchase their own individual malpractice insurance policies in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for each claim and three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) in the aggregate. Cost of this two-year policy is approximately $68.

Only students who have met the above criteria and have completed all science and general education requirements will be permitted to start their clinical education.  Clinical education begins each May.

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Admissions Process for New or Transfer Students

The application process for the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care program is as follows:

Step I: 

·         For First-Time-in-College (*FTIC) Students, or transfer students, complete an Application for Admission (application fee applies).

*FTIC pertains to students who are not attending classes at Clarion University or who have earned less than 12 credits (including credits being taken during the current semester).

·         For students who are currently enrolled and taking credits, or have accumulated credits at Clarion University, please see section entitled, “Admission to Respiratory Care Students Current/Former Clarion University Students.”

·         Submit official copies of all high school, post secondary school, and college/university transcripts and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) to Clarion University’s Office of Admissions

Step II: 

·         Notification of acceptance to Clarion University will be sent by Clarion University Office of Admissions.  (Student must then be accepted into the Respiratory Care Program.)

Step III: (Scheduled through UPMC Northwest)

·         Schedule career shadowing appointment

·         Schedule hospital interview (bring completed career shadowing form)  (PDF)

·         Schedule PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination  (PDF)

·         Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or recent employers

Step IV

·         Positive recommendation of candidates for respiratory care program made by Admissions Committee

·         Student notified of acceptance into respiratory care program by Clarion University School of Nursing & Allied Health

Step V: (Coordinated through UPMC Northwest)

·         Obtain child abuse history clearance

·         Schedule screening for illegal drug use 

·         Obtain criminal background clearance

·         Submit documentation of malpractice insurance

·         Submit physical examination form

·         Submit $200 deposit to UPMC Northwest (this is a separate deposit than the deposit required by Clarion University).

Individuals who fail to submit all of the documentation listed above as designated by UPMC Northwest  or who are unable to successfully obtain child abuse history, criminal background, and illegal drug clearance will not be permitted to continue in the respiratory care program, but may pursue another major at Clarion University. Deposits are non-refundable. 

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Admission Information for Current/Former Clarion University Students

Current or former Clarion University students wanting to change their major to respiratory care must meet the following criteria and must be accepted to the respiratory care program.

·         Minimum GPA of 2.25 based on a total of 12 credits of 100 level (or higher) Clarion University courses. Credits from Math 112 must be included in this 12-credit requirement along with credits from BIOL 111 (if the student has not had college or high-school basic biology within the past five years in which they earned a grade of “C” or higher)

·         Grade of “C” or higher in all math and science courses required of the major

·         Completion of four hours of formal career shadowing with a licensed respiratory therapist in a hospital setting (coordinated through UPMC Northwest)  (PDF)

·         Completion of a successful interview (with on-site writing sample)

·         Satisfactory performance on the Psychological Services Bureau Health Occupations Aptitude Examination ($25 examination fee applies)  (PDF)

·         Two letters of recommendation from current employers or teachers

·         Vacancy in the respiratory care program

·         Completion of Change of Major Request or Re-Admit Form

Students accepted to the respiratory care program will be required to complete the following criteria before being permitted to attend a clinical site.  Typically, these criteria will be required during the first or second semester at Clarion University.   

·         Successfully pass a drug screening, criminal background check, and child abuse clearance

·         Provide proof of malpractice insurance in the proper amount (cost is approximately $68 for 2 years of coverage)

·         Pass a physical examination

·         Submit a $200 non-refundable deposit to UPMC Northwest

Only students who have met the above criteria and have completed all science and general education requirements will be permitted to start their clinical education. Clinical education begins each May. 

Retention in the respiratory care program requires the student earn a grade of “C” or higher in all science, math, and respiratory care courses.

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ASSIGNMENT TO CLINICAL SITE

Several local and regional health care organizations will serve as clinical sites for the respiratory care program. Although student preference for a particular clinical site will be considered, students are not guaranteed the clinical site(s) of their choice. 

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PROGRAM NOTES

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CURRICULUM PLAN

The science and general education portion of the respiratory care program may be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis. The 14-month clinical phase of the program (starting with Summer I) must be completed on a full-time basis.

First Semester (Fall I)                                                        

 Second Semester (Spring I)                                                    

Third Semester (Summer I)

Fourth Semester (Fall II)

Fifth Semester (Spring II) 

Sixth Semester (Summer II)    

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ACCREDITATION

The Clarion University/UPMC Horizon/UPMC Northwest Respiratory Care Program is a new respiratory care program that is in the accreditation process with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP).

CAREER SHADOWING

Individuals interested in respiratory care may spend a day career "shadowing" a licensed respiratory therapist. Shadowing aids in educational and career decisions by allowing prospective students the opportunity to observe the actual duties of a respiratory therapist. For more information on career shadowing, please contact UPMC Northwest at 814-677-7202.

PROFESSIONAL RESPIRATORY CARE ORGANIZATIONS

American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) www.aarc.org

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) www.coarc.com

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) www.nbrc.org

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