The Respiratory Therapy program combines classroom and clinical experiences. Faculty works with clinical sites and prospective employers to assure graduates are prepared for the rapidly changing health care environment. Individuals are provided with the knowledge and skills needed to provide care throughout the patient lifespan in various settings.
The coursework includes respiratory care fundamentals, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and critical care. Clinical experience integrates classroom materials into real-world applications. Respiratory Therapy is an exciting and challenging career. Therapists evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing and/or other cardiopulmonary problems.
They also provide education to aid in the prevention of further disease processes. Therapists consult with physicians and other health care providers to establish a comprehensive patient care plan.
Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exam, which is required to practice as a respiratory therapist. Employment may be found with acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, home care, industry, and community agencies.
The AAS Degree Respiratory Therapy program at Wilkes Community College, located in Wilkesboro, N.C., program number 200544, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
Program Information
- Intro to Respiratory Care
- RCP Pharmacology
- RCP Pathophysiology
- Critical Care Concepts
- Neonatal/Pediatrics
- Advanced Monitoring
- Basic Anatomy & Physiology
- Therapeutics/Diagnostics
- Patient Management
- Utilize critical thinking, diagnostic, and therapeutic skills to accurately assess a patient's condition, develop a plan of care, and modify the treatment plan as needed so that safe and effective respiratory care is given.
- Document completely and accurately using proper grammar and medical terminology.
- Exhibit ethical, caring, and culturally competent behaviors toward patients and their family members.
- Utilize professional communication and behavior when dealing with patients, their families, and other members of the healthcare team.
Contact Information
Admission Information
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
817-283-2835
Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: http://www.coarc.com/47.html.
- Respiratory Therapy Admission Requirements
- Respiratory Therapy Checksheet
- Readmission/Transfer/Advanced Entry Admission Requirements
- Respiratory Therapy Curriculum
For questions concerning the admission procedures, please contact Callie McCraw, Health Sciences admissions advisor at 336-838-6459 or Wanda Shore, admissions assistant at 336-838-6135.
For questions concerning the Respiratory Therapy program, please contact Billy Woods, director of Respiratory Therapy at 336-838-6496.