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Associate in science - respiratory therapy

Associate in Science Degree - Respiratory Therapy
Catalog 2012-2013

The respiratory therapy (RT) program is offered as a conjoint program with Ohlone College in Fremont.  Students complete general education courses at DVC, laboratory and clinical courses at Ohlone College, and have supervised clinical practice at local hospitals. Certain RT classroom courses are offered at the DVC San Ramon Valley Center; students should refer to the college schedule.

This program prepares students to be respiratory therapists in one of the fastest growing allied health professions in the nation.  Therapists are involved in the diagnosis, treatment, management and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardio respiratory system, in both hospital and home environments.  Completion of this CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program) makes graduates eligible for the California state license examination for respiratory care practitioner (RCP) and the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credentialing examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

By completing the general education coursework at DVC and the RT coursework at Ohlone, students will receive a certificate of achievement and associate in science degree from Ohlone College.  Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher.  For applications and information, contact the Career and Employment Services Office located in the Student Services Building at the Pleasant Hill Campus.

Required program prerequisites or equivalents

Units

BIOSC 139

Human Anatomy

  5

CHEM 108

Introductory Chemistry

  4

ENGL 122

Freshman English: Composition and Reading I

  3

MATH 120

Intermediate Algebra

  4

Total units of program prerequisites

16
 

Required supporting courses

Units

BIOSC 140

Human Physiology

  5

PHYS 110

Elementary Physics

  3

PSYCH 122

Psychology in Modern Life

  3
plus at least 4 units from:

BIOSC 119

Fundamentals of Microbiology

  4

BIOSC 146

Principles of Microbiology

  5

Total units of supporting courses

 15

Major requirements

Units

RT 101*

Principles of Respiratory Therapy I

  3

RT 101L*

Beginning Clinical Practice

  1

RT 102*

Beginning Laboratory

  2

RT 103*

Basic Patient Care

  0.5

RT 104A*

Principles of Respiratory Therapy II

  3

RT 104B*

Principles of Respiratory Therapy III

  3

RT 105A*

Intermediate Laboratory I

  1

RT 105B*

Intermediate Laboratory II

  0.5

Plus at least 4 units from:

RT 106*

Intermediate Clinical Practice (twice)

  2

or

RT 107*

Intermediate Clinical Practice

  4

Plus all units from:

AH 151*

Applied Clinical Pharmacology

  2

RT 108*

Basic Principles of Respiratory Pathophysiology

  1

RT 130A*

Advanced Respiratory Therapy I

  2.5

RT 130B*

Advanced Respiratory Therapy II

  1.5

RT 130L*

Advanced Clinical Practice

  2

RT 131A*

Principles of Mechanical Ventilation I

  2.5

RT 131B*

Principles of Mechanical Ventilation II

  2.5

RT 132*

Advanced Laboratory

  1

RT 133*

Mechanical Ventilation Laboratory

  2

RT 134*

Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care

  1

RT 134L*

 Clinical Practicum in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care

  1.5

RT 135*

Computer Simulations for Respiratory Care

  0.5

RT 136*

Critical Care Clinical Practice

  3.5

RT 137*

Home Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

  0.5

RT 138*

Special Rotations in Respiratory Care

  0.5

RT 139*

Pulmonary Function Testing

  1

RT 139L*

Clinical Practice in Pulmonary Function Testing

  0.5

RT 145*

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Basic Life Support

  0.5

*These are Ohlone College courses.

Total minimum required units

44.5

Note: Prerequisites must be completed prior to entering RT 101.  Students who document completion of one term survey A and P course prior to fall 2006 will be exempt from completion of DVC BIOSC 139 and BIOSC 140.  Students who already possess a DVC associate degree are considered to have met the AS in RT general education requirement.

DVC GE Area III, Arts and Humanities

  3

DVC GE Area IX, Physical Education (minimum of 2 PE activity courses including PEDAN)

  1

DVC GE Area V, Multicultural Studies. Units recorded only once.

  0-3

DVC GE Area VI, Information Literacy

  0-1

In addition to the above requirements, students must complete additional general education courses that meet Ohlone general education degree requirements.  Students are advised to meet with a DVC counselor to select the most applicable general education courses.

  

Total minimum required units

85.5
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