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Medical & Dental Programs

Respiratory Therapy

Students in SJVC’s Respiratory Therapy program learn to care for individuals affected by respiratory diseases. Earn an Associate of Science degree in as few as 19 months.

SJVC Respiratory Therapy Student
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
With many classes to guide you, you’re certain to be prepared for your career.
START YOUR PATH
Earn an Associate of Science degree in as few as 19 months.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING OPTIONS
Conveniently available at 5 of our campuses.
AFFORDABLE TUITION
Affordable tuition varies by program and location.

Discover What It’s Like to Become a Respiratory Therapist Student

Discover What It’s Like to Become a Respiratory Therapist Student

“”
I passed my Boards with no issues. SJVC did right by us. You learn professionalism, a dress code, to carry yourself in a certain way, and to perform your job with confidence. SJVC gave that message to students from Day One, and that’s what I liked a lot.
Curtis S.
2021 Respiratory Therapy Student

Ready to Do This?

Find your path as a Respiratory Therapist

Talk to an Admissions Advisor about your options and earn your Associate of Science degree in as few as 19 months.

What Will I Learn?

Pulmonary Function Testing
Respiratory Care Planning
Respiratory Medication Administration
Providing Life Support

Career Opportunities

A Respiratory Therapist treats patients who have difficulty breathing. Respiratory Therapists may care for individuals who have respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, or pneumonia. Their patients have a wide age range, from infants with lung development issues to seniors with breathing disorders. Additionally, Respiratory Therapists provide emergency care for individuals dealing with heart attacks or shock.

Common job duties of Respiratory Therapists include:1

  • Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
  • Consult with physicians about patients’ conditions and developing treatment plans
  • Perform diagnostic tests
  • Treat patients using a variety of methods
  • Monitor and record patients’ progress
  • Teach patients how to take medications and use equipment
SJVC Respiratory Therapist Education Career Opportunities
SJVC Respiratory Therapist Education Program Details

Program Details

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Upon completion of our Respiratory Therapy program, the successful student will be able to:

  • Perform clinically as a competent advanced-level Respiratory Therapist
  • Exemplify critical thinking and judgment skills
  • Demonstrate personal and professional behavior consistent with a Respiratory Therapist
  • Earn Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) certifications
  • Become a Registered Respiratory Therapist
  • Characterize the philosophies of lifelong learning and professional growth by participating in continued education and community outreach
  • Demonstrate the social skills, professional appearance, attitudes, and behavior that employers expect of all SJVC graduates
  • Relate and apply concepts of communication, reasoning, critical analysis, ethical behavior, and appropriate interpersonal interaction to situations in his or her career and personal life.

COST & FINANCIAL AID

Education is the most important investment you can make in your future. There is a financial plan available for everyone, including a broad range of financial assistance options. Visit SJVC’s Net Price Calculator to get personalized information on college costs and financial aid. Check out SJVC’s Academic Catalog to learn about program costs by campus and credential level. You also can talk to an Admissions Advisor to discuss the costs of your chosen program and schedule an appointment with an experienced financial aid officer. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

SJVC’s Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science degree program is available at the following campuses:

ACCREDITATION & APPROVALS

Program Goals

The San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) Respiratory Therapy (RT) program goal is 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).

The Respiratory Therapy program at the following SJVC campuses has been granted continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (coarc.com):

 Campus  CoArc Program Number 
 Bakersfield 200425
 Ontario 200495
 Rancho Cordova 200518
 Temecula 200607
 Visalia 200389

 

Institutional Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-748-9001, Fax: 510-748-9797.

www.wscuc.org

The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

State Approvals

CALIFORNIA

SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).

View additional State Approvals for SJVC.

Outcomes Data

The CoARC accredits Respiratory Therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes-based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

To view outcomes data, please visit coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data

Check out our guide on Respiratory Therapy in California

Respiratory Therapists care for individuals affected by respiratory diseases, like asthma and COPD, and other causes of breathing difficulties. They take blood samples, perform pulmonary functioning tests, develop respiratory care plans, and provide life support services for patients. These professionals are compassionate, detail-oriented, and excellent problem solvers.1

SJVC Respiratory Therapy Career Guide

Successful Grads

Ask one of our graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing.

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