Respiratory Therapy

Students practicing an endotracheal intubation on a medical dummy.

Respiratory therapy is a dynamic and vital healthcare profession focused on caring for patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders. From newborns taking their first breath to seniors managing chronic conditions, respiratory therapists (RTs) are experts in assessing, treating, and educating patients to improve their quality of life. If you're passionate about science, technology, and making a difference, respiratory therapy is a career that lets you do it all. Completion of the Respiratory Program at Snow College qualifies students to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams.

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Respiratory Therapy, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

The Snow College AAS Respiratory Therapy (RT) Program is a rigorous and time-intensive program designed to prepare students for a career in respiratory care. Courses are taken in a cohort-based format, meaning students must register for all RT courses offered each semester. To remain in the program, students must achieve a minimum grade of “B-” in all RT courses. Students are expected to attend all classes, labs, and clinical assignments as scheduled.

Clinical training takes place at facilities across Central Utah, Utah County, and the Salt Lake area. Due to the program’s focus on specialty and critical care, clinical rotations will include experience in intensive care units (ICU), pediatrics, neonatal care, and long-term care at select facilities in Utah and Salt Lake counties.

Prerequisite Courses
Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 2320 BIOL 2325	Human Anatomy with Lab	4
BIOL 2420 BIOL 2425	* Human Physiology with Lab	4
CHEM 1110	** Elementary Chemistry	4
ENGL 1010	Expository Composition	3
MATH 1030 or Higher	College Math	3

* Human Physiology Pre-req: BIOL 1610 or CHEM 1110
** Elementary Chemistry Pre-req: MATH 1850 or MATH 1010

Spring Semester I Core RT Courses
Course	Title	Credits
RESP 1150	Respiratory Care Foundations 1	5
RESP 1300	Respiratory Care Equipment & Procedures	4
RESP 1305	Respiratory Care Equipment & Procedures Lab	2
RESP 1110	Cardiopulmonary Structure & Function	2
RESP 1705	Clinical Rotation I	2

Summer Semester 2 Core RT Courses
Course	Title	Credits
RESP 2220	Respiratory Care Foundations II	5
RESP 2270	Critical Care I	4
RESP 2275	Critical Care I Lab	1
RESP 2280	Specialty Respiratory Care	2
RESP 2725	Clinical Rotation II	5

Fall Semester 3 Core RT Courses
Course	Title	Credits
RESP 2260	Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory & Critical Care	4
RESP 2265	Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory & Critical Care Lab	1
RESP 2320	Critical Care II	3
RESP 2325	Critical Care II Lab	1
RESP 2745	Clinical Rotation III	5

Spring Semester 4 Core RT Courses
Course	Title	Credits
RESP 2330	Respiratory Care Seminar	3
RESP 2610	Critical Care III	3
RESP 2615	Critical Care Simulation	1
RESP 2775	Clinical Rotation IV	5

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite and General Education Requirements

To qualify for admission to the Respiratory Therapy program, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and C or better in all Prerequisite and GE Courses. A GPA of 2.80 to 2.99 may be considered with written petition.

General Education and Pre-Requisite Courses (18 Credits)

MATH 1030 or higher (GE)
ENGL 1010 (GE)
CHEM 1110 (GE)
BIOL 2320/2325 (Pre-requisite)
BIOL 2420/2425 (Pre-requisite)

Additional Requirements

Complete admission to the Snow College Respiratory Therapy Program is contingent upon submission of satisfactory results of the following:

Proof of current immunizations
- Tdap: within the last 10 years
- MMR: 2 doses or proof of immunity through a blood test.
- Varicella: 2 doses or proof of immunity through a blood test.
- Hepatitis B: 2-3 doses, depending on vaccine, and blood test with reactive result
- TB (one of the following):
- - negative 2-step TB tests (two negative skin tests two weeks apart)
  - negative QuantiFERON TB blood test
  - chest x-ray with normal results
- Current, flu shot (September through October). This will be required yearly.
Drug screen
Background check
Physical examination
CPR Card. A current CPR card must be maintained through the RT program. We only accept American Heart Association BLS.

Immunizations that require two doses require at least a 4-week waiting period between doses. We strongly encourage you to start your immunizations ASAP.

The Respiratory Therapy Program reserves the right to request additional background and/or drug screenings while enrolled in the program at Snow College. The RT Program reserves the right to deny entrance into the program based upon the results from the background or drug screen or if required documentation is not turned in on time.

Further information will be included in the Welcome Letter that will be sent to those accepted.

New Student Orientation

The New Student Orientation for the AAS RT Program is mandatory for students to attend. If you are not able to attend, you may forfeit your position in the program. Orientation dates will be provided upon acceptance into the AAS RT Program. Approximate dates will be one week before classes start spring semester. Please plan accordingly.

Students accepted into the AAS RRT program must be 18 years old by the first day of class. This is a requirement of the facilities where students will be completing clinicals.

Program Goals

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Program Learning Outcomes

Perform respiratory therapy procedures safely and effectively in diverse clinical settings.
Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze patient data, develop appropriate care plans, and adapt therapeutic interventions to meet the needs of patients across the lifespan in both routine and critical care situations.
Exhibit professionalism, ethical behavior, and effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team.

Fees

Respiratory Therapy Program – Approximate Student Fees
Category	Total Cost per Student
Exxat (Clinical Tracking + Background Check + Drug Testing)	$186.00
MyClinicalExchange	$39.50
RESP 1305 – Equipment and Procedures Lab	$120.00
RESP 2235 – Critical Care I Lab	$80.00
RESP 2325 – Critical Care II Lab	$120.00
RESP 2265 – Neonatal/Pediatric Critical Care Lab	$150.00
NBRC Self-Assessment Exams	$120.00
Textbooks (estimated for the entire program)	~$1,000.00
Immunizations	$0 – $200+
Uniforms per set (at least two sets recommended)	$30 – $120
Stethoscope	$20 – $600
Health Insurance	Varies based on personal coverage
TOTAL (excluding variable/range items)	$1,815.50

Note: Final costs may vary depending on immunization needs, number of uniform sets, stethoscope choice, and health insurance coverage.

Handbook

Respiratory Therapy Student Handbook

Job Outlook and Salary

13% Growth

Job Outlook

$77,960

Annual Median Salary

Respiratory therapists work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, home health services, sleep centers, pulmonary function labs, and transport.

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