Respiratory Care A.A.S.

Nicholas Arthur, Program Director

Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty. It is an important part of modern medicine and health care. Respiratory Care encompasses the care of patients with respiratory problems in the hospital, clinic, and home.

Respiratory therapists, as members of a team of health care professionals, work to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. Respiratory therapists must behave in a manner consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision-making (such as patient evaluation, treatment selection, and assessment of treatment efficacy) and patient education.  The scope of practice for respiratory therapist includes, but is not limited to:

  • acquiring and evaluating clinical data;
  • assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients;
  • performing and assisting in the performance of prescribed diagnostic studies, such as drawing blood samples, performing blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and applying adequate recording electrodes using polysomnographic techniques;
  • utilizing data to assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care;
  • establishing therapeutic goals for patients with cardiopulmonary disease;
  • participating in the development and modification of respiratory care plans;
  • case management of patients with cardiopulmonary and related diseases;
  • initiating ordered respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients’ responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures, and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives;
  • initiating and conducting prescribed pulmonary rehabilitation;
  • providing patient, family, and community education;
  • promoting cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention, and disease management;
  • participating in life support activities as required; and
  • promoting evidence-based medicine, research, and clinical practice guidelines.

Starting salaries are excellent with premiums paid for evening, night, and weekend shifts. Jobs are plentiful throughout the United States. Graduates are eligible to take the credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) which lead to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Licensure requirements in the state of Montana also are met by successful completion of the NBRC Entry Level (CRT) examination.

The goal of the program is, "To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs)" CoARC standard 3.01.

The program is 4 ½ semesters in length which includes the AA prerequisite courses and a summer session.  The Respiratory Care Program at The University of Montana Missoula College, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021-4244.  Graduates receive the degree of Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care.

Students accepted to the program are required to rotate to clinical sites outside the Missoula area on a periodic basis. These rotations take place during the spring semester, summer session and autumn semester of the second year. These sites may include, but are not limited to: Kalispell, Ronan, Polson, Butte, Billings, Bozeman, Hamilton, Helena, Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston, Idaho and Spokane, Washington. Transportation and housing are the student’s responsibility.

Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Care

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2015-2016

Degree Specific Credits: 72

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.75

Note: It is preferred that students have the prerequisite core completed by the end of the semester in which they intend to apply to the program (i.e. applying to the program in the spring and completing the core by the end of that spring semester.) However, those students who anticipate completing the core by the end of the summer semester are still encouraged to apply in the spring and may be granted provisional acceptance. Computer competency must be demonstrated by taking CAPP 120 or may be challenged by testing out.


Pre- Respiratory Care Prerequisite Courses

Rule: All courses required

Note: Must have completed or be in the process of completing when applying to the program

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BIOH 201N - Human Anat Phys I (equiv 301)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., introductory science course or college-prep high school biology course recommended.  Comprehensive knowledge of human form and function necessary for students preparing for health-related professions. Emphasis on structure, function  and homeostatic regulation of body systems with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers tissues through nervous system. Required, integrated laboratory includes some dissection.
4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 202N - Human Anat and Phys I Lab
Offered autumn and spring. Coreq., BIOH 201. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers tissues through nervous system. A cadaver lab is included.
4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 211N - Human Anat Phys II (equiv 311)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., and continuation of BIOH 201N. Comprehensive knowledge of human form and function necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on structure function and homeostatic regulation of body systems with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers endocrine through reproductive systems. Required integrated laboratory includes frequent dissection.
4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 212N - Human Anat Phys II Lab
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., BIOH 201N. Coreq., BIOH 211. Continuation of 201N. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers endocrine through reproductive systems. A cadaver lab is included.
4 Credits
Show Description M 115 - Probability and Linear Math
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. Systems of linear equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to probability with emphasis on models and probabilistic reasoning. Examples of applications of the material in many fields.
3 Credits
Show Description PSYX 161S - Fund of Organizational Psych
Offered intermittently. Foundation in the psychological processes that influence behavior of people in organizational settings.
3 Credits
Show Description SCN 175N - Integrated Physical Science I
Offered every term. An introduction to the basic principles of physics, chemistry, and nuclear reactions with emphasis on the scientific method and process. A knowledge of basic algebraic functions, decimals, and scientific notation is recommended. Suitable for students with little science background.
3 Credits
Show Description WRIT 121 - Intro to Technical Writing
Offered every term. Introduction to technical writing situations that integrate text, design, and graphics. Emphasis is on evidence-based, informative writing that uses design and graphics to visually represent logic and organization. Course focuses on writing as a process and includes student self-assessment. Major assignments include a pure technical document, exploration of credibility, and public science writing. Students are expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage and to have basic computer literacy.
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: B 20 Total Credits Required

Respiratory Care Courses

Rule: All courses required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHRC 101 - Communication Management
Offered autumn. Prereq., Acceptance into Respiratory Care Program. Study of respiratory care departmental organization and administration procedures, effective communication strategies, and legal and ethical issues for the Respiratory care professional.
1 Credits
Show Description AHRC 115 - Blood Gas Analysis
Offered autumn. Prereq., acceptance into the Respiratory Care program. Study of the indications, rational, methods, instrumentation, and analysis of Blood Gases. Emphasis will be placed on the physiology and clinical implications of acid-base abnormalities.
2 Credits
Show Description AHRC 129 - Patient Care & Assessment
Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOH 201N-202N. Introduction to nursing- related knowledge and skills with emphasis on application of microbiology to aseptic technique. Assessment of the respiratory system with cardiopulmonary diagnostic and laboratory tests interpretation. Observation and interpretation of overall patient condition is integrated throughout the course.  
4 Credits
Show Description AHRC 130 - Respiratory Care Lab IB
Offered autumn. Prereq., acceptance into the Respiratory Care program. Basic clinical competencies taught in RES 129 are studied in a laboratory setting. Peer and instructor review of competencies included. Students focus on patient assessment skills and techniques/equipment.
1 Credits
Show Description AHRC 131 - Resp Care Fundamentals
Offered autumn. Prereq., acceptance into the Respiratory Care program. Orientation to basic respiratory care science including the application of principles of physics and chemistry. Emphasis on theory, operation and troubleshooting of equipment used at the entry level of practice. Microbiology in relation to equipment processing, pulmonary rehabilitation and home care included.
5 Credits
Show Description AHRC 133 - Resp Care Pharmacology
Offered winter. Prereq., acceptance into the Respiratory Care Program or consent of instr. Principles of basic chemistry introduced with an application to pharmacology as related to the pulmonary system. Cardiovascular and related pharmacology studied in preparation for ACLS and ventilator management.
3 Credits
Show Description AHRC 150 - Respiratory Care Lab I
Offered autumn. Prereq., acceptance into the Respiratory Care program. Basic clinical competencies taught in RES 131 are studied in a laboratory setting. Peer and instructor review of competencies included. Students earn their BLS certification.
1 Credits
Show Description AHRC 231 - Resp Crit Care
Offered spring. Prereq., RES 120, 129, 131, 133, 150. Continuation of RES 131. Physiology, indication, contraindications, and application of mechanical ventilation. Emphasis on patient assessment, monitoring, stabilization and weaning during assisted pressure breathing. Analysis of the various modes of ventilation, including optimizing the patient-ventilator interface in the adult through various advanced airway techniques.
4 Credits
Show Description AHRC 232 - Resp Path & Disease
Offered spring. Prereq., RES 120, 129, 131, 133, 150. Special lectures in medicine and disease as related to the cardiopulmonary system. Emphasis on recognition of signs and symptoms of disease and implications for treatment through the study of selected case studies.
3 Credits
Show Description AHRC 235 - Cardiopulm Anat & Phys
Offered spring. Prereq., RES 120, 129, 131, 133, 150 or consent of instr. Principles of physiologic chemistry are introduced and applied to the macro and micro anatomy of the cardiopulmonary system with a focus on structure and function. Application made to pathology and assessment of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
3 Credits
Show Description AHRC 243 - Perinat & Pediat Res Care
Offered autumn. Prereq., RES 260, 265. Study of perinatal and pediatric respiratory care with emphasis on assessment, resuscitation and mechanical ventilation of the neonate and pediatric patient. The theory of Neonatal Resuscitations (NRP) will be presented.  Neonatal and pediatric diseases will be studied.
3 Credits
Show Description AHRC 250 - Respiratory Care Lab II
Offered spring. Prereq., RES 120, 129, 131, 133, 150. A continuation of RES 150 with emphasis on adult critical care. Clinical competencies taught in RES 231 and RES 235 are studied in a laboratory setting. Peer and instructor review of competencies included.
2 Credits
Show Description AHRC 252 - Respiratory Care Review
Offered autumn. Prereq., RES 260, 265. A review of respiratory care in preparation for credentialing exams. Students must take an Entry Level Self-Assessment Exam, a Written Registry Self- Assessment Exam, and a Clinical Simulation Self-Assessment Exam.
2 Credits
Show Description AHRC 255 - Clinical Experience I
Offered spring. Prereq., RES 120, 129, 131, 133, 150. Emphasis on the student directly performing basic clinical skills in a patient care setting to include hospitals, home care, and pulmonary function laboratories. Students also participate in physician rounds.
5 Credits
Show Description AHRC 260 - Resp Care Lab III
Offered summer. Prereq., RES 231, 232, 235, 250, 255. Students study principles and theory of advanced life support.  Peer and instructor review are included. Students will be Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) certified at the end of this class.
1 Credits
Show Description AHRC 265 - Clinical Experience II
Offered summer. Prereq., RES 231, 232, 235, 250, 255. Continuation of clinical skills learned in RES 255. Introduction to adult critical care along with sleep and cardiac diagnostics. Students also participate in physician rounds.
5 Credits
Show Description AHRC 270 - Resp Care Lab IV
Offered autumn. Prereq., RES 260, 265.  Emphasis on neonatal and pediatric critical care. Clinical competencies introduced in RES 241 are studied. Peer and instructor review of competencies are included.
1 Credits
Show Description AHRC 275 - Clinical Exp III
Offered autumn. Prereq., RES 260, 265, 270. Continuation of RES 265 with critical care of the adult. Neonatal and pediatric critical care experiences are emphasized.  Students also participate in physician rounds.
6 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: B 52 Total Credits Required