Respiratory Care

Program of Study

The Respiratory Care Program provides an integrated online/hands-on two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program for the full time student. Students prepare for national credentialing and state licensure through on-line lectures, hands-on lab, and supervised clinical instruction within health care facilities throughout Oregon. A successful student must have good reading, time management and study skills. Course materials, group activities, class discussions, and interaction with the instructor are primarily available through the internet. You must be comfortable with instructional technology when you start the Respiratory Care program. Lane uses Moodle course management system for instruction. There are no accommodations for outside employment or other individual student commitments while completing program requirements.

Theory and concepts are provided through highly interactive online delivery. Mandatory laboratory activities are managed in small groups during on-campus sessions. Students should expect to attend supervised and open-lab sessions to achieve the course learning outcomes. Program students practice hands-on technique with instructors and classmates at a level demonstrated by the instructor(s).

Clinical rotations are managed and arranged by the program's Director of Clinical Education in co-operation with fifteen clinical affiliates. Clinical rotations begin spring term of the first year, and require the student to complete 24 hours per week (two twelve-hour shifts) at a clinical site under the direction of a preceptor. Students may have to travel more than 90 miles from the college campus to complete the clinical education requirements for graduation.

All courses must be taken in sequence. Concepts include review of sciences relevant to the field, professionalism and ethics, basic therapeutic modalities, patient monitoring and evaluation, respiratory disease and medications, and acute and critical respiratory care of adults and infants. Graduates have the opportunity to receive certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and training in Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol (NRP). For a look at the entire curriculum for Respiratory Care, view the online catalog information.

Respiratory therapists, or respiratory care practitioners, treat patients with abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system—or breathing disorders— under the direction of a licensed physician and as part of a health care team. Respiratory therapists administer therapeutic or diagnostic drugs to patients as part of a physician-prescribed treatment plan, implement a physician's orders for respiratory treatments, observe and monitor patient symptoms, and assist with administering medical gases (including hyperbaric or standard oxygen, vapor therapies and ventilation support). Administration of anesthesia falls outside the scope of practice of a respiratory therapist.

Respiratory therapists work at hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing care facilities, in private care facilities and commercial businesses that specialize in the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control and care of patients with breathing disorders that range from chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema to heart attack and accident victims, premature infants, and people with cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or AIDS. (OHLA-52  Rev 2/07).  Detailed information is available at the American Association for Respiratory Care website.

Respiratory Care Practitioners are required to be licensed in the State of Oregon. Requirements for licensure include graduation from an accredited respiratory care program, and successful completion the national Entry Level Examination thereby earning the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential. Program graduates who successfully complete the Entry Level Examination are eligible to complete the Advanced Practitioner Examination process and earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.

Programmatic outcome data is available from The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.