Respiratory Care - Additional Information

Required General Education Courses 

​The Respiratory Care program at Chattanooga State is a 5-semester program (69 credit hours), and full-time status is required. Students accepted for fall enrollment will graduate two years later in spring with an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care.

Graduates from the Chattanooga State Respiratory Care Program are eligible to apply for certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care to earn the credential Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and apply for state licensure to practice.

Chattanooga State's health programs are designed to prepare practitioners who can effectively function within the healthcare arena while ensuring patient safety. To guarantee that students have the potential to perform as entry-level practitioners, the Respiratory Care Program Essential Functions/Technical Standards have been implemented. Progression in the Respiratory Care Program is contingent upon a student's demonstrated ability to meet these standards.

 

Competitive Admission

Admission to the RESP program is competitive. Applicants receive points for completing general education courses before program admission. To be eligible for the qualified applicant pool, candidates must maintain an inclusive GPA of 2.5 or higher, attend one RESP information session during the application year (August–April), and submit TEAS scores (no older than 2 years). Please note that completion of the application process and general education courses does not guarantee program acceptance. 

 

RESP Competitive Admission Points

Applicants may earn a total of 886 possible points for program admission.  

  • 500 maximum points for completion of ATI TEAS (required for RESP application).

  • 320 maximum points for completion of general education courses with grade C or higher.

  • 30 points for completion of all seven general education courses prior to application. (This includes courses completed during the spring semester of the application year, points awarded all or nothing) 

  • 1 point for TN residents.

  • 5 maximum points for completion of 10 voluntary hours in a full-service Respiratory Therapy department.
    (Please submit the RESP Observation Form with your application materials.)

  • 10 maximum points for completion of 20 voluntary hours in a full-service Respiratory Therapy department.
    (Please submit the RESP Observation Form with your application materials.)

  • 5 maximum points for completion of a Medical Terminology course approved by the Chattanooga State Records Office. 

  • The top twenty-five applicants from the qualified pool will be granted fall admission into the program. Approximately 4-6 applicants may be designated as alternates.

 

Progression Policy

All courses in the RESP curriculum must be completed with a grade of C or better to advance to the next semester. Program courses follow an attendance policy and excessive absenteeism may result in a final course grade reduction and/or program dismissal.
 

Grading Scale:

A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
 

Below Mastery Level (program dismissal):

D = 60-69
F = below 60 

 

Additional Requirements and Expectations

Essential Functions/Technical Standards

Capabilities Necessary to Perform Procedures in Program

  • Self mobility. Ability to push or pull wheeled equipment (such as cylinders or ventilators) weighing up to 300 pounds.
  • Ability to identify patient by sight for identification and visually observed of condition. Ability to read patient I.D. band, information in patient chart and on paper or computer screen.
  • Ability to position patient in bed for therapy. Able to assist in moving patient from bed to gurney and back. Able to support head, neck and spine when moving patients with spinal injury.
  • Ability to read controls, LEDs, LCDs, manometers, spirometers, syringe markings, equipment instruction manuals, computer monitors, and cardiac monitors.
  • Ability to reach equipment controls, visualize displays, connect flowmeters and hoses to wall outlets. Ventilator controls are approximately 36-48 inches from floor. Wall gas outlets are approximately 60 inches from floor.
  • Ability to handle instruments such as syringes, laryngoscopes, stopcocks, stethoscopes, respirometers, calculators, and enter information on either physical or virtual keyboard.
  • Ability to hear breath sounds, Karotkoff sounds (BP), heart sounds and ventilator alarms.
  • Ability to read written passages, communicate orally and in writing (both handwritten and typed).
  • Ability to endure long periods of physical activity including standing, walking and light to moderate lifting.
  • Ability to accurately palpate pulses.
  • Ability to make accurate observations, perceive events realistically, think clearly, objectively and rationally. Ability to function in routine, stress and emergency situations. Ability to assess, make judgments and perform indicated procedures rapidly.

If you feel you would need special accommodations to perform any of these tasks, please contact the Chattanooga State Disabilities Office.

After you are Admitted in the Program

  1. Required sciences (BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, BIOL 2230) must be completed before students can progress to the program’s second year (fourth semester).
  2. Students must complete a health physical and other items before proceeding to the clinical courses. See health verification policy below.
  3. Students must complete a criminal background check after admission to the program but prior to entering the first program course. See below.
  4. The schedule of the clinical courses (RESP 1399, 2444, 2465) may vary from semester to semester based upon need and hospital situations. RESP 1399 and RESP 2444 are usually scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for eight hours every day, generally 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. RESP 2465 usually consists of two 12-hour shifts which may be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. A schedule will be distributed at the beginning of each semester.
  5. All of the clinical sites have a no-smoking policy in the building. Several hospitals have also instituted a no-smoking policy on their campuses, including sidewalks, parking lots, etc. Due to these restrictions and to promote respiratory health in patients and students, no student will be allowed to smoke or use tobacco products on hospital property.

Health Verification

Prior to entering any courses that involve actual patient care (clinical), each student is required to meet the health requirements of all clinical sites. This includes successful passing of a physical examination, laboratory tests, drug screen and documentation of various immunizations. The specific requirements may vary from year to year, based on clinical site requirements and federal and state regulations. Students who do not meet these requirements cannot continue in the program. Contact the Program Director for details.

Criminal Background Checks

Following acceptance and prior to entering the first career course in designated healthcare programs, each student must undergo a criminal background check in order to comply with policies of affiliating clinical practice agencies. It shall be the student’s responsibility to comply with instructions provided upon acceptance and provide the results by a designated date. The check will be at the expense of the student. Students who do not meet this requirement in a timely manner or whose background does not meet agency standards will not be able to successfully complete the program. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment. Individuals with a question concerning this should schedule an appointment with the Program Director.

Clinical Obligations

Clinical assignments for each student, totaling approximately 900 clock hours, are required. The RESP program follows the Chattanooga State academic calendar for semester start and end dates, holidays, and breaks.  No clinical assignments will be scheduled on weekdays after 7 PM or on weekends. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the College and the affiliated hospitals. Student liability insurance is required.

The maximum one-way travel distance from campus to a clinical affiliate is approximately 36 miles. The program schedule accounts for sufficient and safe driving times. Students are not allowed monetary compensation for clinical assignments.