Program Description
The Hartnell College Respiratory Care (RCP) program is a defined group of prerequisite
and corequisite courses. The four-semester course of study consisting of classroom,
high-fidelity simulation, skills laboratory, seminar, and clinical experiences. Clinical
experiences are obtained in Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Louis Obispo and
Santa Barbara counties. Upon successful completion of program requirements, graduates
are eligible to take the National Board of Respiratory Care’s Registry Examination
(RRT, CRT, CSE). After passing, graduates may practice as respiratory care practitioners
in a variety of acute and community-based settings. The Hartnell College RCP program
holds continuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory
Care.
Program Goals
The goal of the RCP program 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).
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Respiratory Care (RCP) program a student will,
1. Comprehend, apply, and evaluate information necessary to practice as a respiratory care practitioner(cognitive) as evidenced by their ability to
a. evaluate data to assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care
b. participate in the development and modification of respiratory care plans in a
variety of settings
c.provide patient, family, and community education
2. Perform the skills competently as a respiratory care practitioner (psychomotor) as evidenced by their ability to
a. apply problem-solving strategies in the patient care setting
b. perform respiratory therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and interventions in
a timely manner consistent with patient safety and infection control standards.
3. Practice professional attitudes and behavior (affective) as evidenced by their ability to
a. demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors
b. demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills
c. interact effectively with other members of the healthcare team
d. communicate effectively in diverse groups while respecting beliefs and values of
all persons.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) is an online degree advancement program for licensed registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) who have graduated from a CoARC accredited Associate of Science in Respiratory Care (ASRC) program, or for ASRC graduates eligible for licensure. Entering students must complete the Cal-GETC General Education pattern.
The program is 40 credits of upper-division courses that focus on leadership, management, education, research, and advanced clinical practice that provide RRTs with the knowledge, skills and aptitude needed for the advanced scope of pratice, the increasing complexity of clinical skills, and the diversity of care sites emerging in the field. Graduates of the BSRC program may advance their careers in administrtion/management, education, research advanced bedside professional practice, and related healthcare fields.
Program Goal
The BSRC program is designed to provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program, the graduate
should be prepared to
1. demonstrate professional and ethical behavior with enhanced communication skills
required for the field.
2. demonstrate readiness to pass specialty credentialing exams such as the Adult Critical
Care Specialist (ACCS), Neonatal and Pediatric Specialist (NPS), and Registered Pulmonary
Function Technician (RPFT) national board exams
3. apply evidence-based practice to respiratory care
4. apply skills of leadership, education, and advanced bedside roles to respiratory
care.