Respiratory Care

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Programs > Health > Respiratory Care Practitioner

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Introduction:
Respiratory Care is a physician-directed health science specialty, caring for patients with disorders of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Respiratory care practitioners (RCP's) work in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes; they also provide home care

Certification:
Graduates of the RESP program are eligible to take the Entry-Level Examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. CRTs are eligible to take the Advanced-Practitioner Examinations of the NBRC and, upon satisfactory completion, receive the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. The CRT credential is required in approximately 45 states for eligibility for a license to work as an RCP; currently no license in required in Hawaii.

Qualities Needed:
Aptitudes and interests expected of RCPs include an interest in health care and helping people. Personableness, compassion, sensitivity, problem-solving skills, and manual dexterity as well as the ability to follow instructions and to work neatly and accurately are equally important.

RESP Program:
The Respiratory Care Program at Kapiolani Community College is a two-year Associate in Science degree program that combines classroom learning and laboratory exercises with supervised clinical practice at affiliated hospitals. Approximately two semesters of prerequisite course-work must be completed, at any accredited institution, prior to admission to the program.

Respiratory Care Program
Kapi'olani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816

Phone: 808.734.9243
Fax: 808.734.9126
Email: wehrman@hawaii.edu

Program Director: Steve Wehrman

Accreditation:
Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Rd.
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
Phone: 817.283.2835 or 1.800.874.5615
http://www.coarc.com/