Respiratory Care specializes in deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) system. Respiratory therapists work with sophisticated medical equipment and groundbreaking technology in the care and treatment of virtually every patient population -- from the elderly to neonatal.
The Respiratory Care program at Greenville Technical College gives students a combination of hands-on technical experience and a solid understanding of respiratory conditions and how they are treated. Clinical rotations give students exposure to patient care and experience in performing respiratory care procedures to prepare them for this crucial part of the health care team.
If you're seeking a career in a high-demand field, we can help make your education even more affordable.
The Career Pathways Scholarship may cover the cost of tuition, fees and books if you're enrolled in a qualifying program at GTC.
Please note: Pre-Health Sciences and Pre-Nursing students who are currently enrolled as Associate of Science students are not eligible for the scholarship until they are accepted and enrolled into the Health Sciences/Nursing program they have selected.
Well-trained respiratory therapists are in tremendous demand in areas such as
Learn about being a Registered Respiratory Therapist from the American Association of Respiratory Care
National Outlook
National employment statistics and employment expectations are available through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
IS RESPIRATORY CARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
As a respiratory therapist, you will have direct patient contact with many types of people with needs from routine care to life-threatening trauma.
In addition, you should:
The GTC Respiratory Care program, CoARC 200155, associate degree, and Barton campus location are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (www.coarc.com).
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. Read more about program outcome data.
Credentialing/Licensing
Students graduating from the Respiratory Care Program are eligible to take the entry-level practitioner credentialing examinations offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Graduates MUST take and pass Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) with the high cut score. After successful completion with the high cut score of the TMC Examination, graduates are eligible to attempt the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Upon successful completion of the CSE Examination, graduates are awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapists credential.
Graduates from the program are eligible to apply to the South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners for state licensing.
Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in another state are strongly encouraged to check that state’s information and contact the appropriate licensing agency for additional information and guidance before beginning the program.
Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Respiratory Care
Associate in Applied Science
This program trains students to treat patients with difficulty breathing because of problems affecting the cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) system.
This program is designed as a 1 + 1 program.
Respiratory program details from our current catalog »
Students working toward acceptance in select Health Sciences programs are now classified as an Associate in Science major. Want to know more? Check out our FAQ section.
Click the program below to view the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
In addition to the Greenville Technical College admissions process outlined in these Enrollment Steps, students interested in the respiratory program must also
The Respiratory Care program strictly adheres to all School of Health Sciences policies detailed on the Health Sciences admissions information page.
Participating in a Career Talk session for your program is a requirement for all Health Sciences students. Career Talk is an information session that covers all program information, the admissions process and all aspects of the career. Due to the complex nature of the weighted admissions process, students are encouraged to review the career talk as soon as they have an interest in the program to make sure they have a clear understanding of the career and the acceptance process.
Access the Career Talk Presentation for Respiratory (pdf) »
Applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) prior to submitting a Weighted Admission Form for program admission. Scores from the TEAS test will be used in the point calculations on the Weighted Admission Form. Please see full details in the TEAS Information.
The application submission process for GTC's Respiratory Care program is now electronic. The electronic application will only be accessible during the application acceptance period, January 15-June 15 annually. Applications are not accepted during any other timeframe.
To submit an application, you must log in using your GTC student access.
Access the Respiratory Care Weighted Admission form »
Clinical experience is an integral part of the curriculum in the Respiratory Care Program at Greenville Technical College. Greenville Technical College's Respiratory Care Program partners with several clinical affiliate sites to allow students to participate with a clinical preceptor in performing these respiratory care activities.
Our major academic affiliates are
Respiratory Care Mission Statement
The philosophy of the educational approach of the Greenville Technical College Respiratory Care program is one of professional development. The respiratory therapist fills the role of a responsible health care practitioner in a growing and rapidly changing medical field of both acute and chronic patient care. Growth and commitment to optimum respiratory care is the foremost goal. The other primary objective of this program is to fill the need for respiratory therapists and to build and maintain a progressive respiratory care profession for the members of the community and profession.
Program Goals
The student will demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by entry-level registered respiratory therapists (RRT's). The program will provide collaborative learning environments that stimulate learning. The program will graduate competent entry-level therapists to meet the regional employment needs.
Respiratory Care Student Learning Outcomes
Program Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care, students will:
O1: be able to demonstrate intensive skills required for entry-level. (Psychomotor and cognitive domain).
O2: graduate with entry-level respiratory therapeutics skills and knowledge base (Psychomotor and cognitive domain).
O3: graduate with entry-level knowledge base of interpretation of clinical data (Cognitive).
O4: be able to demonstrate professional behaviors and communication skills consistent with the profession expectations (Affective domain).
Respiratory Care Student Policy Manual
The purpose of this manual/handbook is to provide the student with information specific to the Respiratory Care Program.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Refer to current tuition rates for GTC |
| Lab & Course Fees Includes: Criminal Background Check Drug Screening Liability Insurance |
Approximately $1,020 total for Phase II |
| Books | Approximately $1,300 total for Phase II |
| Uniforms & Clinical Supplies | Approximately $250 total for Phase II |
| BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification | Approximately $100 through American Heart Association |
| Physical/Immunizations | Cost varies |
*These costs are an estimate only. This list does not include transportation costs, meals, laundering of uniforms, etc.
Administrative Assistant
Jackson Mills
Jackson.Mills@gvltec.edu
864-250-8533
Academic Program Director
Jaime Cox, BS, RRT
Jaime.Cox@gvltec.edu
864-236-6649
Director of Clinical Education
LaTallya McDowell
LaTallya.McDowell@gvltec.edu
864-236-6645
Faculty
Chad Bishop
Charles.Bishop@gvltec.edu
864-236-6648
Andie Finley
Get answers to questions about the Respiratory Care program.