Overview

Are you interested in breathing disorders and eager to improve people’s health? If so, respiratory therapy might be the ideal career for you. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages to treat breathing disorders and other conditions such as asthma, COPD and pneumonia, often in critical care settings where every breath counts. As a respiratory therapist, you’ll be vital to helping patients overcome breathing challenges, whether in hospitals, home care or supervisory roles later in your career.

In Central Ohio Technical College’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy Technology program, you’ll build the skills and confidence to start a meaningful career in a growing field. Train in a state-of-the-art simulation lab, work directly with patients during clinical rotations at central Ohio hospitals, and gain hands-on experience in managing airways, operating ventilators and selecting respiratory care equipment. You can even start working in respiratory therapy after just one year of study as you work to complete the remainder of the program and become a licensed respiratory therapist.

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Apply for a Limited Permit While You Study

After one year in COTC’s respiratory therapist program, you can apply for a limited permit through the state medical board. This limited permit allows you to work as a respiratory therapist directly under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist where you will gain valuable experience to help you be successful for the remainder of the program and throughout your career.

Work Toward RRT Certification

Graduates who have successfully completed the program are eligible to sit for the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) certification offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Information Meeting/Course

If you are interested in earning your respiratory therapist associate degree, you’ll need to attend an information meeting on campus or complete and online information course. The information meeting will provide you with the opportunity to learn about our program and satisfy one of the primary application requirements.

on-campus meeting online course

Future Start Dates

The respiratory therapy technology program begins each autumn semester at the Newark campus. View academic calendar for semester start dates.

Respiratory therapy program application deadline: May 1

Admission Requirements

Th respiratory therapy associate degree is a competitive, selective enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and a respiratory therapy technology program application and supporting material by the application deadline to be considered for admission to the associate degree respiratory therapy program.

View Application Requirements

Curriculum

At COTC, you’ll engage in a combination of classroom learning, hands-on simulation labs and real-world clinical experiences. Your coursework in the respiratory therapy program will cover anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, respiratory care fundamentals, cardiopulmonary pharmacology and other critical subjects. You’ll develop essential skills in patient assessment, airway management and the operation of advanced respiratory equipment to prepare for RRT certification.

At COTC, you will learn:

• the different pathologies of cardiopulmonary disease
• how to manage patient airways and establish airways through endotracheal intubation
• the various modes of invasive and non-invasive ventilation
• to communicate and work collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team
• selection of appropriate oxygen and humidification delivery devices
• the various equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease

View Plan of Study

Accreditation

Study in a respiratory therapy technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). This accreditation ensures that our program meets high national standards for education and effectively prepares our students for professional certification and safe, effective patient care.

Full Accreditation Statement:

The Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) Respiratory Therapy Technology (program number 200679), AAS degree program at the Newark, Ohio campus location holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690 USA
817.283.2835

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

Coarc programmatic outcomes data

Program Outcomes

The goal of COTC’s associate in respiratory therapy 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 therapists (RRTs).

After completing the program, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate theoretical competence in applied respiratory care.
• Demonstrate clinical competence in applied respiratory care.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior consistent with professional and community expectations.
• Demonstrate the ability to measure, evaluate, and document patient data and recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions for patient care.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply and evaluate information relevant to his/her role as a registered respiratory therapist.
• Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, time management skills, interpersonal communication skills, and technical skills necessary to provide competent respiratory care in multidisciplinary care settings.
• Demonstrates an appreciation for and acceptance of cultural diversity.

Financial Aid

COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.

Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.

Paying for College

Connect with the Office of Student Financial Services:

Phone: 740.366.9435
Email: NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu

FAQ

How long is the respiratory therapy program?

You can complete COTC’s respiratory therapy program in five semesters.

Can I take classes online or face-to-face?

You are required to take classes on campus for the respiratory therapy program. Some general education courses may be available online, but you should plan to be on campus to use equipment and engage in hands-on learning.

What is respiratory therapy?

Respiratory therapy is a healthcare field focused on helping people who have difficulty breathing. Respiratory therapists treat patients with conditions like asthma, COPD and pneumonia and respond to emergencies involving lung-related issues. Respiratory therapists work with doctors to assess and treat patients of all ages, using specialized tools and technologies to deliver oxygen, manage ventilators and monitor lung function.

What does a respiratory therapist do?

A respiratory therapist helps patients with difficulty breathing and conditions such as asthma, COPD and other breathing disorders. They assess lung function, provide treatments to improve breathing, manage life-support equipment like ventilators and deliver oxygen therapy to help restore as much natural breathing function as possible. Respiratory therapists can work with a wide range of patients, from infants to the elderly.

Does a respiratory therapist job require lots of math?

A respiratory therapist’s job involves some math, but it’s mostly practical and focused on patient care. You’ll use basic math skills to calculate medication dosages, adjust equipment settings and interpret test results. COTC’s respiratory therapy technology program requires one course in algebra to help prepare you for your future role.

How can you become a respiratory therapist?

If you’re wondering how to become a respiratory therapist, you’re in the right place. To practice as a respiratory therapist, you’ll need to complete an accredited respiratory therapist associate degree like the one here at COTC. After graduation, you must sit for and pass the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Some states may have additional licensing requirements. Request information to learn more or apply now.

Current Students

Policies and Procedures of the Respiratory Therapy Technology Program (Student Handbook)