Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Clinical Experience to Set Your Skills Apart

If you want to help people improve their health and well-being, a career in respiratory therapy may be right for you!

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists play a critical part in helping neonates, pediatric, and adult patients improve their health and wellness by increasing their lung function and helping them to breathe easier.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the field has a growth potential of 23% through 2023. Our curriculum consists of classroom, laboratory, and hospital-based clinical experiences at area hospitals and in-home health, setting you up for success in a growing field with competitive salaries. 

 

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Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year. Many are meant specifically for students in health care programs. Respiratory therapist students may also qualify for the Kibbie Grant.

Respiratory therapy students who have completed the first semester of the RT program, achieved a grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and demonstrated leadership or community service can apply for the Dr. John Kasik Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Apply for the scholarship at www.kirkwood.edu/scholarships.

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapist program will be able to:

  • Manage and communicate clinical data
  • Assess and evaluate clinical data and make recommendations
  • Manipulate and manage respiratory equipment
  • Ensure infection control and quality control practices
  • Initiate, evaluate and modify respiratory therapeutic procedures
  • Initiate, conduct or modify respiratory care techniques in an emergency setting

Plan of Study

A one-hour program conference is required prior to acceptance to the program. You'll learn more about the program, specific admissions requirements, and have the opportunity to have questions answered by program faculty and staff.

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Program Costs

Respiratory Therapist 

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall

Pre-Reqs Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 11.5 14 18 11 14 14 82.5
In-State Tuition $2,495.50 $3,038 $3,906 $2,387 $3,038 $3,038 $17,902.50
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $300
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $0 $500 $300 $100 $700 $700 $2,300
Conferences/Seminars $0 $0 $0 $0 $100 $650 $750
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $500 $640 $450 $225 $160 $300 $2,275
Course/Section Fees $20 $25 $40 $40 $50 $40 $215
Laptop (required devices) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Testing Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $0 $0 $100 $860 $960
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $0 $225 $0 $0 $0 $0 $225
Other $0 $86 $0 $0 $35 $0 $121
Total Estimated Cost $3,065.50 $4,564 $4,746 $2,802 $4,233 $5,638 $25,048.50

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change.

To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

Additional Program Requirements

To get into the Respiratory Therapist program, you must meet the following additional standards. These steps/requirements are in addition to Kirkwood's steps to become a student. These test scores are valid for three years:

  • Attend a program conference
  • Apply to the program
  • Complete of prerequisite courses with a C- or better:
    • Basic Anatomy & Physiology (3 credits) or Human Anatomy & Physiology I & Human Anatomy & Physiology II 
    • Microbiology (4 credits)
    • Introduction to Chemistry (3 credits)
    • Intermediate Algebra (4 credits)
  • Have placement test scores or course equivalents on file with the Allied Health office

If college-level placement is not met, students are recommended to meet with an advisor. Kirkwood and Respiratory Therapist admissions policies and procedures are subject to change at any time. After all admissions criteria are met, students are accepted or placed on the waitlist to the Respiratory Therapist program.

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Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to provide direct care to children and adults.

You'll take part in delivery of oxygen, administration of aerosolized drugs, endotracheal intubation, suctioning, management of life support, weaning of ventilation or life support, insertion of arterial lines, management of tracheostomies, and drawing and interpretation of arterial blood gas samples.

Advanced skills include intravenous, chest tube, and central line insertions, as well as bronchoscopy procedures.

Expect to treat all types of patients. Some of the most common situations you may see include:

  • Premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed
  • Elderly patients with chronic asthma or emphysema
  • Emergency care for heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock

The clinical experience is one of the most important elements in any respiratory therapist program. Kirkwood is proud to be affiliated with some of the finest hospitals in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, including:

Students participate in clinicals during four semesters and rotate between different units and/or hospitals every week. Clinical adjunct orient and guide students through their first clinical semester.

As students gain experience and confidence, they receive individual instruction from staff therapists and clinical faculty appointees. Clinical faculty are always available for consultation and to answer questions.

The clinical curriculum can be summarized as follows:

  • RC Clinic I: One day per week, 8 hrs/day  (first year, spring semester)
  • Summer Clinicals:  Three clinical days for 8 hrs/day, (Total=24 hrs done during 2nd 6 weeks of summer)
  • RC Clinic II: Two days per week for 12 weeks, (Total= 16 hrs/week: Two 8 hour shifts) (Second year, fall semester)
  • RC Clinic III: Two days per week for 12 weeks, (Total= 24hrs/week: Two 12 hour shifts)(second year, spring semester)

90% of the clinics are on day shift (5:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or (5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.) Most clinic sites are within a 90-minute drive of Cedar Rapids. Students should plan for the added expense of clinical travel and parking.

Students in Kirkwood's Respiratory Therapist program are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of HOSA, a global student-led organization exclusively for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

HOSA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

To practice as a respiratory therapist in the state of Iowa, licensure is required. The Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam and Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) are administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Graduates of Kirkwood’s Respiratory Therapist program are eligible to sit for these exams. While the program can accept up to 25 students each fall semester, the size of each graduating class may vary. The class of 2023 achieved a 100% pass rate on the exams.

Please note that the NBRC is in the process of revising the licensure examination, with changes expected to take effect in 2027. We will update this information as well as exam pass rates as more details and data become available.

The Kirkwood Respiratory Therapy program, CoARC program number 200190, Associate of Applied Science degree in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). 

CoARC's Annual Report of Current Status for all Respiratory Therapy programs in the United States can be viewed here. Specific statistics for Kirkwood’s program are listed in alphabetical order by state. Please note, the statistics listed are a three-year running average. Current statistics for Kirkwood’s program will be discussed at the program conference.

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practices as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy program, you should have the skills and knowledge needed for board exams; TMC (Therapist Multiple Choice) exam (entry level), WRRT and/or CSE exam(s) (Registered Respiratory Therapist). Exams are administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Listed exams are required for employment, along with licensure to practice respiratory therapy.

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care can be contacted at:
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690

or www.coarc.com

Successful completion of this program and passing the boards qualifies you to test for licensure and/or certification. View the state listing guide to identify which Kirkwood program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

Please note: To learn more about licensure or certification information, you’ll need to contact the state agency where you hope to work.

The United States from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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.

View outcome data from the Annual Report of Current Status for all Respiratory Therapy programs in the United States from CoARC.

Specific statistics for Kirkwood’s program are listed in alphabetical order by state. Please note, the statistics listed are a three-year running average. Current statistics for Kirkwood’s program will be discussed at the program conference.

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

817-283-2835

www.coarc.com

In the fall of 2013, Kirkwood Community College signed an articulation agreement with Weber State University located in Salt Lake City, UT. The articulation agreement will allow students who successfully complete the Associates of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy at Kirkwood Community College and who successfully pass the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Board Exam to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy from Weber State University.

The bachelor's degree coursework is entirely online and will allow students to work during the completion of their degree.

Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree Completion Program

Students wishing to attend Weber State University to complete their bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy must fulfill the following requirements through Kirkwood Community College:

  • Graduate from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Respiratory Therapy (RT) AFTER 2013 with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher                  
  • Pass the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Exam
  • Have a current NBRC RRT credential 
  • Complete ENG-106: Composition II and a TRANSFER level math course prior to leaving Kirkwood Community College (Ex: MAT-138 College Algebra with Limits or MAT-120: College Algebra)
  • AHA Healthcare Provider CPR and AARC Membership is current
 

The priority deadline to apply for the BS in Respiratory Therapy program is May 1 of each year for a fall semester start date; however, we will continue to accept applications until we have a full class. Schedule a meeting with Alisa Kimball in the Respiratory Therapy Department to answer any questions you may have: alisakimball@weber.edu or 801-395-3329

Questions regarding financial aid and scholarships? Click here.

Tuition per credit can be found here; scroll toward the bottom of the website.

PROGRAM MISSION 

The Respiratory Therapy Program is committed to develop respiratory therapy professionals who embody the highest standards of clinical expertise, compassion, and dedication to lifelong learning, making a positive impact on the well-being of the individuals and communities they serve.

 

PROGRAM VISION

We envision a future where our graduates, guided by the principles upheld by the American Association for Respiratory Care, lead the advancement of the respiratory therapy profession in our community. 

 

PROGRAM VALUES

Our values guide our program mission and vision, and is embodied in the acronym:

B- Best practice, foundation of professionalism

R- Respect, acknowledge and honor diverse perspectives across the healthcare continuum

E- Excellence, setting and maintaining high standards of professionalism and clinical excellence

A- Academic integrity, aligns with Kirkwood’s policy

T- Team orientated, promoting collaboration and effective communication within interdisciplinary healthcare teams

H- Humanitarian, commitment to community service

E- Ethics, AARC code of ethics

 

PROGRAM GOAL

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 (RRT).

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduates with Respiratory Therapist degrees can obtain jobs in a variety of different career opportunities. Respiratory therapists work with doctors and nurses to treat patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. 

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Typical duties for a respiratory therapist include:

  • Assessing heart and lung function at bedside
  • Performing diagnostic tests for heart and lung function
  • Providing oxygen and other gas therapies
  • Administering inhaled medications via aerosol treatments
  • Delivering various positive-pressure breathing therapies
  • Using techniques and treatments (e.g. suctioning secretions) to maintain an open airway
  • Performing CPR
  • Monitoring and maintaining patients on life-support systems, such as respirators
  • Drawing arterial blood samples
  • Teaching patients proper and efficient ways of breathing
  • Assessing vital signs
  • Assisting with endotracheal intubation
  • Managine patients with artificial airways
  • Performing studies and research related to the cardiopulmonary system
  • Educating patients on smoking cessation

Respiratory therapists must be able to organize tasks and work independently and as part of a team; communicate effectively in verbal and written form; solve problems and make decisions independently; maintain patient confidentiality; and practice respiratory care as a patient advocate. Therapists must have manual dexterity, good eye-hand coordination, integrity, and basic competence in science and math.

You may work evenings or nights when you first become a respiratory therapist. It is common to work some weekends and holidays. With flexible scheduling, you may work 12-hour shifts and get three to four days off each week. You will have exposure to patients with communicable diseases. By using standard precautions, you should have no greater risk of exposure to these diseases than does the general public.

Respiratory therapists have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including: Hospitals, Nursing homes, Rehabilitation centers, Slepp labs, Home health, and Education institutions. The job duties of each respiratory therapist will vary depending on the setting in which they work. 

Questions?

Allied Health
2164 Linn Hall
319-398-5566
allied.health@kirkwood.edu