Health Sciences Division

The Respiratory Care Program at NPCC holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for

Respiratory Care. This status signifies that a program that has been granted an Approval of Intent has

demonstrated sufficient compliance to initiate a program in accordance with the Standards through the

completion and submission of an acceptable Self Study Report (SSR), and other documentation required by the

CoARC Board. The conferral of Provisional Accreditation denotes a new program that has made significant

progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation

until achieving Initial Accreditation. It is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) toward

eligibility to the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). Enrolled students completing the program under

Provisional Accreditation are considered graduates of a CoARC accredited program.

Do you need more information on a new program and career in Respiratory therapy here at NPCC?

Follow the 4 steps below:

1. Click here to read about this career choice.
2. Call or email Mel Welch for more information. 
3. Check out the following web site!   http://www.aarc.org/career/be_an_rt/index.cfm “Take” the quiz to see if your talents and interests are a good match for RT.
4. Click  here to read about Program Information and review Program Goals, pre-requisites, and  preliminary admission information.
5. Application with all paperwork is to be completed and returned to the Respiratory Therapy Office by Thursday, April 26^th, 2012.  You will turn your entire application packet into the Title III secretary (in the Frederick Dierks Building (sits next to the nursing secretary).  Please have your application stamped as it is returned to the RT Office. Applications may be turned in after this deadline, BUT they will only be considered if seats remain available after the applicant pool from the first deadline are evaluated for admission to the Fall 2012 admission class.
6. Remember the mission of the National Park Community College Respiratory Care Program is to offer a high quality respiratory care education in a learning environment that fosters critical thinking, encourages professional leadership, and instills a strong appreciation of ethical values and human diversity.  Utilizing the standards established by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), the established curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be outstanding patient care providers.

The new Respiratory Care Program is initially being funded by a U.S. Department of Education, Title III Strengthening Institutions grant.
The Title III team is looking forward to assisting you in meeting your career goals!

Mel Welch, MPH, RRT-NPS
Program Specialist / Program Director
National Park Community College
501-760-4279

Linda Castaldi, MNSc, RN
Division Chairperson/ Title III Program Director
National Park Community College
501-760-4288

We are committed to evidence-based learning which promotes excellence in nursing and maximum development of student potential within an environment of caring.

Respiratory therapists (RT’s), also known as Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP’s) – evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing problems (chronic asthma, emphysema, etc.) or other cardiopulmonary disorders (cardiac or respiratory arrest, trauma from an accident, stroke, or heart attack).   RT’s work under the supervision of a physician and assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures.  RT’s work primarily in hospitals but have many other opportunities to work outside a hospital setting.  In the hospital, they work in all areas from the emergency room to the ICU.  They draw and analyze arterial blood to determine the Ph, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.   An RT administers oxygen and breathing treatments with aerosol medication to help someone breathe better.    They perform CPR and assist in placing a patient on life support (i.e. ventilator) if needed.   They do diagnostic testing of pulmonary (lung) functions; perform chest physiotherapy and regularly assess patients and the equipment they are using to ensure proper operation and use.  The patients can be any age from a premature infant to an older adult.

How long does it take to become an RT?
An associate degree is the minimal educational requirement, but a bachelor’s or a master’s degree can be achieved.  The program of study includes the areas of human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology and mathematics.  Other courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, CPR; mechanical ventilation; critical care and the application of Clinical Practice Guidelines.  It depends on the particular educational program you attend, but most will require 45-55 credit hours in the actual coursework of Respiratory Care – approximately 20 months.  You will have to meet prerequisites coursework and other general education required of an Associate of Applied Science degree.   

Do I need a Certification or a License?
Yes, you need to be able to pass a background check and drug screen prior to being accepted into most RT Programs.  After graduation, you must pass the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).  Then you will apply for a license from the state in which you would like to practice with the exception of Alaska which is a non-licensed state.  You must maintain a valid CPR certification at all times.  You must take the Registered Respiratory Therapy exam (RRT) within three (3) years from graduation or you will need to repeat the CRT exam.

Will I get a job?  How much can I earn?
Respiratory Therapists held about 122,000 jobs in 2006.  About 79% were in hospitals.  Faster-than-average employment growth is projected.  Employment of RT’s is expected to grow 19% from 2006 to 2016.  The demands will increase as our population ages and the role for RTs’ expand.  A new grads average starting pay in Arkansas is $18.00/hr.  Median and annual earnings for RT’s were between $40,840 and $56,160/yr.  Pay will vary by location, years of experience and additional skills.

Although the long term projections remain excellent, it should be noted that in the current very difficult economic environment, the job market for most ALL health professionals has tightened. Over the next couple of years it is anticipated the new graduates will have to be aggressive in their search and may very well have to consider relocation to where there are jobs, if they are unsuccessful in the immediate local job market.