Respiratory Therapy Program
Most LCCC HSW students must complete clinical rotations for program completion. These clinical rotations occur in clinical settings with clinical sites that have agreed to provide these educational experiences for LCCC students. In order to ensure the safest environment possible for their patients and staff, many of these clinical settings have included COVID-19 in their list of clinical clearance requirements, with limited exemptions available for students and employees. Because all clinical hours and/or clinical competencies must be completed to meet program requirements, this means you may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption on file to enter and/or progress in the Radiography program. For additional information, regarding these requirements, please see the Health Sciences & Wellness Policies Handbook, Addendum and the Clinical Site COVID-19 FAQs.
What will I learn?
The Respiratory Therapy Program prepares students to work as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team with patients of all ages with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and conditions. Students will learn about diagnosing, evaluating and treating patients with breathing problems and lung disorders as well as proper management of life saving equipment like ventilators.
Graduates of the program will be eligible for credentialing exams administered through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) to become Registered Respiratory Therapists and to become a licensed as required by various state boards including Wyoming.
The Respiratory Therapy Program is designed to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
Associate of Applied Science
The Respiratory Therapy Program provides a blend of classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in respiratory therapy. The program is five-semesters. Prior to applying to the program, students must complete a set of prerequisite courses.
Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the National Board of Respiratory Therapy (NBRC) examination(s) leading to the national credential designation of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and state licensure as a Respiratory Therapist.
The program has limited enrollment. Selection will be based on prerequisites or other support courses completed or in-progress, and criteria as indicated in the program application material. Prospective students interested in the program may contact the program director for details about the program admission process and timeline.
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
What can I do with this degree?
Respiratory Therapists work across the healthcare industry including:
- Hospitals
- Intensive Care Units
- Emergency Rooms
- Newborn and Pediatric Units
- Operating Rooms
- Patient’s Homes
- Sleep Laboratories
- Doctor’s Offices
- Asthma Education Programs
- Smoking Cessation Programs
- Air Transport and Ambulance Programs
- Case Management Programs
- Pulmonary Rehab Programs
- Equipment and supply sales
Visit Career Coach for additional information about Respiratory Therapists.
Visit LCCC's Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.
Accreditation
The Laramie County Community College Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program number 200670, Associate of Applied Science- Respiratory Therapy, holds Provisional Accreditation from Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.
Student/graduate outcomes for respiratory therapy programs can be found on the CoARC website at: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Upon successful completion of this program:
- Graduates will competently perform all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required of a Registered Respiratory Therapist entering the profession.
- Graduates will proficiently communicate within inter-professional teams and diverse populations.
- Graduates will apply appropriate critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies in the patient care setting.
- Graduates will demonstrate ethical decision-making skills and professional responsibility and behavior consistent with industry and employer expectations.
All allied health students are required to submit a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the Allied Health Programs at LCCC. The drug screen is completed after a student's program acceptance and at the student's expense.
At their discretion, clinical sites may also require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting. (If required, any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student.) In addition, LCCC and the clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical agency. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participation from clinical assignment.
In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, allied health workers must also undergo a background check performed at the student's expense. The student's acceptance will not be final until LCCC has received background check information from the reporting agencies, and the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses. For more information, please see the complete School of Health Sciences & Wellness Policies for Allied Health Students posted on the school website. Certain criminal activities, as evidenced by a criminal background check, may also disqualify a student from clinical participation.
Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent acceptance into and/or progression through the program and may ultimately result in dismissal from the program. For more information, please see the complete Health Sciences and Wellness Division Policy for allied health students.
NOTE: Applicants who have been convicted of a felony (or have pled guilty or nolo contendre to a felony) should request a copy of a letter concerning his/her eligibility status for licensure from the Wyoming State Board of Respiratory Therapy and the National Board of Respiratory Care. The Wyoming State Board of Respiratory Therapy can deny licensure if the Board feels that such denial is in the public's interest. The National Board of respiratory Care can also deny certification for the same reason.
Cost of Attendance
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance.