Respiratory Therapy

The Respiratory Therapy curriculum prepares individuals to function as respiratory therapists. In these roles, individuals perform diagnostic testing, treatments, and management of patients with heart and lung diseases. Students will master skills in patient assessment and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. These skills include life support, monitoring, drug administration, and treatment of patients of all ages in a variety of settings.

Graduates of accredited programs may be eligible to take entry-level examinations from the National Board of Respiratory Care. Respiratory Therapy graduates may also take the Advanced Practitioner examination. Graduates may be employed in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, education, industry, and home care.

The AAS Degree Respiratory Therapy program at Wilkes Community College located in Wilkesboro, NC, program number 200544, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).

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

Learning Outcomes

  • Utilize critical thinking, diagnostic, and therapeutic skills to accurately assess the 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

Image of Morgan Staley
Morgan Staley, BS
Coordinator of Recruiting
Phone: 336-838-6509
mbstaley687@wilkescc.edu

Admissions Information

The Respiratory Therapy program is a limited enrollment program that admits 20 students once a year in the fall semester. Applicants are accepted on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis as admission requirements are fully met.

To maintain enrollment in the Respiratory Therapy program, a student must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the degree. The first “D” or “F” earned will result in a student being withdrawn from the program.

Step 1: Complete WCC Application

Submit a WCC application for admission to the Respiratory Therapy program. Applicants may only apply for two limited-admission programs in each academic year. WCC limited-admission programs include: Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Assisting, Emergency Medical Science, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN).

The college application deadline is June 17, 2027.

WCC Application

Step 2: Prove College Readiness

Applicant must be eligible to enroll in ENG 111 without a co-requisite and be exempt from or have successfully completed MAT 025 or MAT 035. Visit the Placement Testing page for more details regarding exemption options, testing policy, scheduling a testing appointment, and study materials. Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must contact the Disability Services office at least 10 working days prior to testing.

Step 3: Respiratory Therapy Information Session

Attend a mandatory online information session to review the application process. You must complete an admission application for Reparatory Therapy before completing the Respiratory Therapy Information Session.

Deadline for completing the online information session is June 24, 2027.

Respiratory Therapy Information Session

Step 4: Completion of High School Diploma or Recognized Equivalent

High school diploma or recognized equivalent must be completed before entry into the program. If applying as a high school senior, submission of a transcript reflecting all high school coursework completed at the time of application is required. If admitted, a final transcript must be submitted prior to beginning the program that reflects additional coursework completed and the actual graduation date.

Step 5: Submission of Official Transcripts

Respiratory Therapy applicants must submit official high school, GED, or Adult High School and official college transcripts at each educational institution attended.

Step 6: Required Courses

Applicants must successfully complete the following required courses with a grade of “C” or better. The following classes must be completed or in progress before the applicant can schedule their MAR review.

  1. One year/credit of high school biology or college level biology.
  2. One year/credit of high school chemistry or college level chemistry.

Credit by exam will not be accepted for the required courses.

Required courses must be successfully completed by the applicant’s MAR review date or the applicant’s MAR review will be cancelled.

Step 7: Successful Completion of a MAR Review

When an applicant has met the minimum admission requirements, steps 1 through 6, they must contact the Health Sciences Admissions Advisor to schedule a MAR review appointment.

Image of Morgan Staley
Morgan Staley, BS
Coordinator of Recruiting
Phone: 336-838-6509
mbstaley687@wilkescc.edu

This process is being used to verify that all the above criteria has been met and satisfied.

Completion of Minimum Admission Requirements (MAR) Review Deadline: July 8, 2027

Medical Form

Applicants who are selected for admission to the Respiratory Therapy program must submit a completed Wilkes Community College Student Medical Form to the Clinical Education Coordinator by the first day of class. This form must be completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The form is given to you at the acceptance meeting.

Orientation

Applicants who have been accepted into the Respiratory Therapy program will also be required to attend a mandatory Respiratory Therapy program orientation. The date of the orientation will be provided to applicants who are admitted to the program.

Notice of Clinical Requirements

WCC’s contractual agreements with each clinical site mandates that clinical agencies are responsible for declaring any requirements of students rotating through their facilities. These requirements include immunizations,* a criminal background check and drug screening. Therefore, students who do not comply with the agreements of each clinical affiliate will not be cleared for clinical experiences and will not be able to successfully complete program, clinical, and graduation requirements. Students are unable to complete required clinical competencies and experiences without being assigned to ALL clinical facilities.

* Please note that vaccine exemption processes are available at each site that requires the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine. Each respective clinical affiliate will approve or decline any exemption request submitted by the student, according to their policy.

Individuals completing the Respiratory Therapy program are eligible to apply to take a licensing examination, which they must pass in order to receive a license to practice. The licensing board does require information regarding conviction of a felony and/or misdemeanor and/or current charges on the application for licensure and MAY DECIDE NOT TO LICENSE an individual based on the result of an investigation of those particular charges.

Undocumented Immigrants

When considering whether to admit an undocumented immigrant into a specific program of study, community colleges shall take into account that federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants. Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in any class or program of study when capacity limitations exist. PLEASE NOTE: these procedures comply with numbered memo CC10-26, which was published by the North Carolina Community College System on July 12, 2010.

Please contact the admission representative for the Respiratory Therapy program:

Image of Morgan Staley
Morgan Staley, BS
Coordinator of Recruiting
Phone: 336-838-6509
mbstaley687@wilkescc.edu

Related Course in Curriculum Course Approved for Substitution for the Respiratory Therapy Program
ACA 115 ACA 122 (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)
BIO 163 BIO 168 and BIO 169 or Bio 165 and BIO 166 (must complete both courses with a grade of “C” or higher)
ENG 112 ENG 113 or ENG 114 (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)
COM 120 COM 231 (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)

Your faculty advisor must request that the substitution be made, and it must be approved by the Health Sciences Dean, Tammy Beck. You should always consult with your advisor before taking a course other than the course required in the Respiratory Therapy program plan. You may be required to provide a course syllabus for courses other than the one required by your program.

Please note: If BIO 163 (or an equivalent course) has been completed prior to entry into the Respiratory Therapy program, it must have been completed within ten years from the first day of the fall semester of entering the program. Otherwise, the credits will be considered to have expired and will not count towards fulfilling Respiratory Therapy degree requirements and will not count in the Respiratory Therapy admission point system.

Contact Information

For any questions, please about the admission process or requirements, please contact:

Image of Morgan Staley
Morgan Staley, BS
Coordinator of Recruiting
Phone: 336-838-6509
mbstaley687@wilkescc.edu
Image of Tori Johnson
Tori Johnson, MBA, RRT-RCP
Program Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program
Phone: 336-838-6472
vkjohnson525@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • BIO 163: Basic Anatomy and Physiology
  • ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
  • RCP 110: Intro to Respiratory Care
  • RCP 117: Respiratory Care Pharmacology

First Year – Spring Semester

  • ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Discipline
  • PSY 150: General Psychology
  • RCP 111: Therapeutics/Diagnostics
  • RCP 115: C-P Pathophysiology
  • RCP 135: RCP Clinical Practice I

First Year – Summer Term

  • RCP 112: Patient Management
  • RCP 143: RCP Clinical Practice II

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • PHI 240: Intro to Ethics
  • RCP 155: RCP Clinical Practice III
  • RCP 210: Critical Care Concepts
  • RCP 214: Neonatal/Peds RC

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • COM 120: Intro Interpersonal Communication
  • RCP 211: Adv Monitoring/Procedures
  • RCP 215: Career Preparation
  • RCP 237: RCP Clinical Practice IV

Technical Standards

The Respiratory Therapy program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
  • Document relevant patient information (manual or via computer) using correct terminology and spelling
  • Interpret doctor’s orders
  • Record patient responses to treatments
  • Establish rapport with patients, families, and other health care providers
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate objects
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require dexterity and flexibility to move body in a variety of positions
  • Utilize instruments with patients
  • Move around in patients’ rooms and treatment areas
  • Maneuver in confined spaces
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Bending
    • Stooping
    • Lifting
    • Reaching
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability to stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry up to 30 pounds
  • Stand and walk up to 12-hour shifts
  • Lift and/or maneuver patients
  • Lift and move equipment such as gas cylinders
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range and manipulate equipment
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify various sounds
  • Ability to touch and locate anatomy on patients to perform physical assessments
  • Ability to tolerate various odors
  • Observe patient responses to treatment
  • Hear equipment/emergency alarms, call bell, or call for help
  • Listen to heart, lung, and blood pressure sounds
  • Feel for pulse
  • Work with patients with poor hygiene
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Frequent exposure to communicable and infectious diseases, secretions, blood, and bodily fluids
  • Exposure to environmental hazards
  • Ability to work under high stress situations and respond promptly
  • Possible exposure to HIV, hepatitis, etc.
  • Exposure to X-ray radiation, medicinal preparations, latex, and toxic substances
  • Respond appropriately in emergency to maintain patient safety and care
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Criminal background check
  • CPR certification

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Respiratory Therapy graduates: