Respiratory Care Technology

Helping Others Breathe More Easily

Our Respiratory Care Technology program will teach you the skills you need to become a respiratory therapist. You will learn how to assess a patient’s condition, develop an appropriate care plan, handle technical equipment, make scientific calculations, and work independently to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating patients. Our program also offers lab training, classroom study and supervised experience in hospitals and health care settings, as well as preparation to take the national board exams for licensure required to fill a job in this field. Upon completing the program, you will be eligible to take the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist exam, as well as additional credentials, including Registered Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist, Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist, and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist.

The Respiratory Care Technology program is accredited by the Committee for Accreditation of Respiratory Care.

Apply to the Respiratory Care Technology Program

Careers

Find your path.

Respiratory Therapist – est. salary $70,310*
Respiratory Therapy Technician– est. salary $61,355

 

**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
map animation where the the Community College of Philadelphia is centered, the map zooms out to show the surrounding counties highlighted representing the areas of job and career growth.
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Transfer Opportunities

Videos & Multimedia

Respiratory Care students learning on site in CCP program.
Equipment in CCP's Respiratory Care Technology program.
Respiratory Care Technology students learning about the field in CCP class.
Respiratory Care Technology students learning in class at Community College of Philadelphia.
Respiratory Care Technology using equipment in CCP class.
CCP student treating patient in Respiratory Care Technology class.
CCP student using equipment in Respiratory Care Technology program.
CCP student pressing on screen of equipment in Respiratory Care Technology program.

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Respiratory Care Technology degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 100 - Introduction to Respiratory Care Technologies 4 credits

RESP 100 is a prerequisite for RESP 102. Must earn a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the fall semester.
Must be taken concurrently with RESP 101. Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for spring semester.
Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success.

 Major Course
RESP 101 - Respiratory Care Techniques 4 credits RESP 101 is a prerequisite for RESP 102. Must earn a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the fall semester. Must be taken concurrently with RESP 100.
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for spring semester.
Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success.
Prerequisites: RESP 100 with a grade of "C" or better, must be taken concurrently 		 Major Course
ENGL 101 - English Composition I 3 credit Prerequisite for ENGL 102.
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for ENGL 102		 ENGL 101
BIOL 110 - Anat & Phys II 4 credit Must receive a grade of “C” or better
Completion of BIOL 109 with a grade of “C” or better.		 Natural Science
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra 3 credit Prerequisite for CHEM 110 Meet with an advisor to determine if you should take a higher level math course. Mathematics

This is a select program. Students must have completed a BIOL 106, BIOL 107, BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 course with a grade of “C” or better before beginning the program.
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to continue in the program.

  • This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 102 - Respiratory Pharmacology, Modalities, and Airway Management 4 credits Prerequisite for RESP 103. Must earn a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: RESP 100 and RESP 101 with grade of “C” or better.
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for summer semester.
Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success		 Major Course
CIS 103 - Applied Computer Technology 3 credits Students must earn a grade of “C” or better demonstrating they have met minimum requirements of course. Technology Competency
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credit Prerequisite of ENGL 101 with a grade of “C” or better.
Students should visit the English learning lab for support on writing assignments.		 ENGL 102 Information Literacy

Summer 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or
CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I		 4 credits Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Students must place into FNMT 118 before taking this course.		 Major Course
RESP 103 - Introduction to Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 3 credits Prerequisite for RESP 104. Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the early summer session.
Prerequisites: RESP 102 with grade of “C” or better. Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for late summer semester.
Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success.		 Major Course

Summer 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 104 - Clinical Practicum I 3 credits Prerequisite for RESP 210 and RESP 220. Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the late summer session.		 Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 210 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I 4 credits Prerequisite for RESP 211 and RESP 221. Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the Fall semester
Prerequisites: RESP 104 with a grade of "C" or better; co-requisite: RESP 220 (must be taken concurrently)
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for spring semester.		 Major Course
RESP 220 - Advanced Respiratory Care 5 credits Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: RESP 104; co-requisite: RESP 210. Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for spring semester.
Prerequisites: BIOL 241 with a grade of "C" or better, RESP 210 with a grade of "C" or better, RESP 211 which must be taken concurrently 		 Major Course
BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology 4 credits Must earn a grade of “C” or better in the course.
Prerequisites: BIOL 106 or BIOL 107; BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade of “C” or better		 Major Course

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 211 - Cardiopulmonary 4 credits Prerequisite for RESP 299. Must receive a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: RESP 210 with grade of “C” or better; co-requisite: RESP 221.
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for early summer semester.		 Major Course
RESP 221 - Adult Critical Care 6 credits Prerequisite for RESP 299. Must earn a grade of “C” or better in the course.
Only offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: RESP 210 with grade of “C” or better; co-requisite: RESP 211.
Required to receive a grade of “C” or better to register for early summer semester.		 Major Course
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits Prerequisite: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently Humanities Elective
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 credits Most transfer institutions require a sociology course. Fulfills all of the Major Academic Approaches (American/Global Diversity, Interpretive Studies, and Writing Intensive)
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

Summer 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
RESP 299 - : Advanced Respiratory Care Procedures III 3credits Must earn a grade of “C” or better.
Only offered in early summer session.
Prerequisites: RESP 211 and RESP 221 with a grade of “C” or better.		 Major Course

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

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Featured Career

Respiratory Therapist

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures.

Median Salary
$70,310
Number of Jobs
934 
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+17.5%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
  • Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
  • Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
  • Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $52,469. Normal pay for Respiratory Therapists is $70,310 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $83,827.

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This Is a Select Program,
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Program Information

Respiratory Care Technology

Degree Type:

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

70

Online Learning Availability:

30% or Greater

Related Programs: