Respiratory Therapy
Seward County Community College  Area Technical School
Respiratory Care is a profession dealing with diagnostic testing and treatment of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the
cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory Therapists treat all types of patients ranging from premature infants to the elderly, trauma
patients to those with chronic heart and lung disease, and are intricate members of emergency response teams in hospitals. Effective
skills, communications, and the ability to work well with others are essential as a practicing Respiratory Therapist in the capacity of a
“physician extender”.
Career Opportunities
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of Respiratory Therapists to increase
much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, because of substantial growth in
numbers of middle-aged and elderly populations – a development that will heighten the incidence of
cardiopulmonary disease.
Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of therapists, a growing number can expect to
work outside of hospitals, in the home healthcare services, physician clinics, or as medical equipment
providers.
Degree Options
SCCC/ATS offers a 24-month Associate of Applied Science degree. Upon completion of this advanced
practitioner program the graduate will be eligible to take the certification and registry examinations
administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. The Respiratory Therapy program is offered over
ITV (distance education) on the Garden City Community College campus and Dodge City Community
College campus.
Advising
Your SCCC/ATS Respiratory Therapy advisor will help you plan your course of study and will outline the
specific requirements for completing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy.
Although it is not a program admission requirement, applicants are encouraged to complete a majority of
the general education requirements prior to application to the program.
Facilities
The Respiratory Therapy program is located in the Epworth Allied Health Education Center at 6th and
Washington. The Epworth facility includes skills and computer laboratories, a student lounge, and
faculty/staff offices. Main campus facilities offer respiratory therapy students access to library resources
and campus activities.
Clubs/Organizations
The Student Respiratory Therapy Association (SRTA) invites students admitted to the program to
participate in activities related to the professional society, community health projects, and allied health
education programs. Respiratory Therapy students are encouraged to join the American Association for
Respiratory Care as a student member.
Distance Education
SCCC/ATS offers the Respiratory Therapy technical courses over an ITV network available on the Garden
City Community College and Dodge City Community College campuses. Required general education
courses are available at each site. Admission, clinical studies, course requirements, and awarding of the
Associate of Applied Science degree are administered by SCCC/ATS.
Admissions Procedures
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Obtain admission forms from the website or obtain from the Allied Health secretary.
Take appropriate entrance examination. (COMPASS)
Submit official high school transcript or GED scores.
Submit official college transcript(s), if applicable.
Schedule an interview with a respiratory therapy faculty member.
Applications for admission are accepted beginning December 1 each year and are accepted until the
class capacity is reached. Selection criteria and procedures for the respiratory therapy program are
available to all prospective applicants.
Program Contact
Ed Anderson, Program Coordinator/Instructor
620-417-1409
ed.anderson@sccc.edu
http://alliedhealth.sccc.edu/
1801 N Kansas Ave  PO Box 1137  Liberal, KS 67905-1137
620-624-1951  1-800-373-9951
www.sccc.edu
Degree Requirements
Type of Award: Associate of Applied Science
Credit Hours
First Year
Fall Semester
 Human Anatomy .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
 Intermediate Algebra or higher math.... ........................................................................................................................... 3
Respiratory Physiology ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pharmacology I ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Respiratory Therapy Procedures I ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Introduction to Clinical Practicum ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Spring Semester
 Human Physiology ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
 English Comp I or Public Speaking ................................................................................................................................. 3
Respiratory Diseases ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Respiratory Therapy Procedures II ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Pediatric Respiratory Care .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Second Year
Fall Semester
 Introduction to Chemistry or higher ................................................................................................................................. 5
 General Psychology .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Respiratory Therapy Procedures III ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum II ........................................................................................................................... 4
Spring Semester
 English Comp I or II or Public Speaking .......................................................................................................................... 3
 Microbiology .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Respiratory Therapy Seminar III .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Advanced Life Support ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Clinical Simulation and Review ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum III .......................................................................................................................... 4
Summer Semester
Clinical Care and General Clinical Practicum ...................................................................................................................... 5
Total Degree Requirements
75
 Courses must be completed prior to Fall Semester, Second Year.
 Courses must be completed prior to beginning Summer Clinical Practicum.
A grade of “C” or better is required for all general education and respiratory therapy courses. General education courses may be taken
prior to admittance to the respiratory therapy program or concurrently to the respiratory therapy courses.
The SCCC/ATS respiratory therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835.
All students attending SCCC/ATS may participate in educational program and activities, including but not limited to health, physical education, music, and vocational
and technical education, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, handicap, or sex.
Office of Admissions
620-417-1100 or 1-800-373-9951, ext. 1100
admit@sccc.edu
POLICY OF NODISCRIMINATION
Applicants for admission and employment, students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional
agreements with Seward County Community College/Area Technical School are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender age, or disability in
admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning Seward County Community College/Area Technical School’s compliance with the regulations
implementing Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 is directed to contact Mr. Dennis M. Sander, PO Box 1137, 1801 N Kansas, Liberal, Kansas, 620.624.1951.
Revised:
Nov.
Mr. Sander has been designated by Seward County Community College/Area Technical School to coordinate the institution’s effort to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Section
504. Any
person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution’s compliance with the regulations implements Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504.
2010