Respiratory Therapy
A Career in Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapy is a health care specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists provide treatment that can range from giving emergency relief to patients with asthma to long-term care for chronic conditions such as emphysema.
Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of Respiratory Therapists, a growing number can expect to work outside of hospitals in home healthcare services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners or consumer goods rental firms. Home healthcare in particular is a bright spot on the horizon due to technological advances that permit complex respiratory therapy care to be administered in the home.
Respiratory Therapy Program Description
When you become a respiratory therapy student at Pima, you'll develop professional skills in advanced respiratory care techniques, including neonatal and adult special care procedures, general and advanced pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics.
Respiratory Therapy Program Outline:
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |||
| CSK 101 | Study Skills | 16 | 1.0 | |||||
| IC 111 | Introduction to Computer/Technical Writing | 16 | 1.0 | |||||
| MT 102 | Math Applications | 32 | 2.0 | |||||
| SC 113 | Science for Respiratory Care | 38 | 2.5 | |||||
| AP 114 | General Anatomy & Physiology | 78 | 5.0 | |||||
| MB 115 | Microbiology | 22 | 1.0 | |||||
| AP 116 | Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| AP 117 | Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology | 74 | 4.5 | |||||
| PC 120 | Patient Assessment | 28 | 6 | 2.0 | ||||
| Semester I Total | 334 | 6 | 21.0 | |||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |||
| RX 150 | Pharmacology | 34 | 2.0 | |||||
| RT 222 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 44 | 28 | 3.5 | ||||
| RT 203 | Cardiopulmonary Diseases | 40 | 2.5 | |||||
| RT 224 | Respiratory Pediatrics | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| RT 225 | Respiratory Therapeutics I | 32 | 24 | 2.5 | ||||
| RT 228 | Respiratory Therapeutics II | 48 | 60 | 5.0 | ||||
| Semester II Total | 228 | 112 | 17.5 | |||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |||
| RT 320 | Respiratory Care Practicum I | 296 | 6.5 | |||||
| RT 311 | Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Wellness | 20 | 1.0 | |||||
| RT 312 | Management & Communication | 20 | 1.0 | |||||
| RT 313 | Critical Care Techniques | 34 | 16 | 2.5 | ||||
| RT 304 | Emergency Care | 52 | 3.0 | |||||
| RT 315 | Advanced Patient Assessment | 36 | 2 | 2.0 | ||||
| Semester III Total | 162 | 18 | 296 | 16.0 | ||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |||
| RT 410 | Advanced Pharmacology | 46 | 3.0 | |||||
| RT 411 | Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics | 38 | 2.5 | |||||
| RT 402 | Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation | 58 | 58 | 5.5 | ||||
| RT 403 | Respiratory Care Practicum II | 280 | 6.0 | |||||
| Semester IV Total | 142 | 58 | 280 | 17.0 | ||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |||
| RT 450 | Cardiovascular Diagnostics | 50 | 3.0 | |||||
| RT 451 | Respiratory Perinatology | 50 | 3.0 | |||||
| RT 462 | Advanced Mechanical Ventilation | 58 | 20 | 4.5 | ||||
| RT 453 | Respiratory Care Practicum III | 224 | 4.5 | |||||
| RT 464 | Job Preparation | 16 | 1.0 | |||||
| RT 466 | NBRC Review Course | 30 | 2.0 | |||||
| Semester V Total | 204 | 20 | 224 | 18.0 | ||||
| PROGRAM TOTALS | 1070 | 214 | 800 | 89.5 | ||||
Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists
Older Americans suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the need for respiratory therapists will increase as well. In addition, advances in treating victims of heart attacks, accident victims, and premature infants (many of whom are dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment) will increase the demand for the services of respiratory therapists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase 21 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. Professionals in this growing career field are in demand.
Respiratory Therapy Licensure and Certification
Graduates of Pima's Respiratory Therapist program receive an associate degree and may sit for all National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams.
Respiratory Therapy Program Length
Approximately 21 months
For more detailed information on Pima's Respiratory Therapy program specifics, financial aid and lifetime job placement assistance for graduates, please visit your local campus below:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chula Vista, California
Denver, Colorado
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mesa, Arizona
Renton, Washington
Tucson, Arizona



