Respiratory Care Program

Dear Prospective Student:

We would like to let you know that an exciting opportunity has become available for the Fall semester in regard to a Respiratory Care program.  State College of Florida and Saint Petersburg College have formed a partnership for this critical need program.

Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) are licensed healthcare providers who have specific training in caring for patients with respiratory disease, including managing life support equipment.  RRTs work in a variety of settings, including acute and long term care facilities, outpatient clinics, sleep labs, diagnostic centers, and home care. The training program to become a licensed RRT is two years, and the salary range is comparable to registered nurses and radiology techs.

Because of the current shortage of respiratory therapists, State College of Florida has partnered with St. Petersburg College (SPC) to offer a collaborative training program for RRTs.  St. Petersburg College offers a well established RRT training program in Florida.  SPC has state of the art training labs and equipment, and has success rates of 20-30% higher than the national average on the certification examination.

In this collaborative program students may take their general education courses at any SCF campus.  If enrollment in this program is sufficient, students will complete their clinical training at hospitals in the Manatee and Sarasota areas.  Respiratory Care classes will be one or two days a week at St Petersburg College's Health Education Center in St. Petersburg.  Some of the respiratory classes are offered online.  This program is designed to meet the needs of working adults of all ages.  

Additional information is available online at the SPC website.  For more information or to apply please call SPC health and education center at 727-341-3687.

We hope that you will consider this exciting opportunity!

Regards,

Steve Hardt, MA, RRT	Dr. Bonnie Hesselberg, ARNP
Respiratory Care Program Coordinator	Dean, Nursing and Health Professions
St. Petersburg College	State College of Florida

 

Program Goal:

The collaborative Respiratory Care Program of State College of Florida (SCF) and St. Petersburg College (SPC) supplies the community with competent entry-level respiratory therapists who are able to give quality respiratory care and function as an integral part of a healthcare team. This program provides students with innovative and effective educational opportunities to prepare for a rewarding career in respiratory care.

The Respiratory Care Program combines didactic and clinical education in a variety of settings to prepare the graduate for a career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam to become an RRT. This registry is accepted in any state and many foreign countries.

This program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of The Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX  76021, 817-283-2835.

Program Entrance Requirements:

1. Under the collaborative program, students complete their academic courses at any SCF location.

   Earned Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better on all General Academic Requirements.
2. All general education courses must be completed with a letter grade of 'C' or better. 
3. Complete BSC 2085C with a grade of “C” or better.
4. Complete a minimum 12 semester hours (including BSC 2085C w/lab (Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab)) in the general education/support courses of the Respiratory Care curriculum with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
5. Enrollment in this program is limited.

SPC Respiratory Care Admission Process:

• Complete the St. Petersburg College Admission Application http://spcollege.edu/getstarted/. 
• Complete the SPC New Student Orientation.
• Submit all official, unopened (sealed) college transcripts from previously or currently enrolled colleges and official, unopened (sealed) high school transcript(s) or GED transcript. Unofficial copies or official copies that have been opened are not acceptable.
• If previously or currently enrolled at SPC, must be academically in good standing and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Complete a minimum 4 hours of observation, volunteer service or work experience in a respiratory care department. 
• Submit the SPC Health Programs Application for Respiratory Care online at www.spcollege.edu/HEC/resp.

Additional Notes

• Completion of all admission process items are required to submit an application.
• All transcripts must be received and evaluated by St. Petersburg College on or before the application deadline to ensure consideration.
• It is strongly recommended that students submit transcripts at least 30 days prior to deadlines.
• Once the application period has closed the SPC Health Education Center records staff will evaluate complete applications and offer admission based on criteria specific to Respiratory Care program.

SPC Selection Criteria

When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the program availability, selective criteria will be used to determine which applicants will be offered admission. Students will be considered using a point system based on health program GPA, pre-entry, general education and support coursework completed. The evaluation process will not begin until after the application deadline has passed. Within 60 days of the close of the application deadline, applicants will be notified of their admission status. Students who are not offered admission are required to reapply during the appropriate application acceptance period for their desired start date. Students offered admission will need to complete the following pre-enrollment requirements prior to the start of the first program course to maintain eligible status.

• • Successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
  • Complete the Health Examination Form and any required immunizations.
  • Complete the SPC Student Services and Program Orientation.

 

For more information about the program contact: Program Chair Steve Hardt, MA, RRT; St. Petersburg College (727)341-3477 Hardt.Steven@SPcollege.edu

Occupation Outlook

  - includes nature of the work, employment outlook, and estimated earnings information