Respiratory Care Practitioner  Steven Boyd, MS, RRT, RCP Program Director 559-244-2631  steven.boyd@fresnocitycollege.edu    Kristi Andreen, MA, RRT, RCP Director - Clinical Education 559-244-2629 kristi.andreen@fresnocitycollege.edu Most people take breathing for granted. However, there are thousands of Americans who suffer from chronic and/or episodic problems associated with breathing. This group may include people with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). In addition, there is also a growing number of premature infants, post surgical patients, trauma patients, individuals with cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer who also need respiratory support.   In nearly all of these instances, the patient will interact with the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP). While working under the direction of a physician, the RCP works to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing problems in a wide variety of environments.   Career Opportunities   The Department of Labor and Statistics have projected a shortage for Respiratory Care Practitioners into the next decade. Due to this shortage, our program graduates are ensured full-time job positions within the community and throughout the nation. There are more than 100,000 RCPs in the United States. They play a vital role in the emergency response team of acute care medical facilities. Additionally, RCPs are working in the private offices of physicians, home health agencies, rehabilitation hospitals, medical equipment companies and are a part of product development/research and sales.   Our Respiratory Care Practitioner Program is preparing some of the best RCPs in the nation. This field needs individuals who: Want to help others by working in the health care system Are mechanically inclined Have good interpersonal communication skills Are capable of working well under stress Please take the time to read the following report developed by the California Health Care Foundation and the UCSF Center for Health Professions. Respiratory Care Practitioners in California Accreditation   Fresno City College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges, the Community College League of California, and the National Commission on Accrediting. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, The California State College system, and by private accredited four-year colleges and universities.   The Respiratory Care program is 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, TX 76021, 1-817-283-2835, http://www.coarc.com. Essential Functions for Respiratory Care Physical Standards   Respiratory Therapy Two Year Program (A.S.)   Respiratory Therapy is a dynamic and challenging health care profession. Therapists function as members of an entire health care team. This team includes: physicians, nurses, dieticians, occupational and physical therapists. The Fresno City College Program promotes the development of critical care thinking as applied to individualized patient care. The Program does exist on a lottery system. When our students graduate they become registry-eligible graduates and are capable of functioning well in entry level positions. As a graduate of the Respiratory Care Program, all graduates are tested by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Nationwide, the NBRC handles all credentialing for the Respiratory Care Profession. Following successful completion of our program, all graduates are eligible to sit for the: Certified Respiratory Therapist exam (CRT-entry level exam) Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT-standard of practice exam, must be CRT credentialed by the NBRC prior to this exam) Certified Pulmonary Technologist (CPFT) Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT-must be a CPFT credentialed by the NBRC prior to this exam) Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist Upon successful completion of these national tests, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ask the NBRC to inform the Respiratory Care Board in California to ensure a timely California license.   Program Prerequisites   The RCP program prerequisites are: HS diploma/GED/(45/CHSPE) Minimum GPA of 2.0 Math 101 (college algebra) Chem. 3A (college chemistry with lab) Biol. 1 (college biology with lab)   First Year Fall Semester   RCare 16 –  Patient Assessment  3 units RCare 17 –  Patient Management  4 units RCare 18 –  Physiology  2 units RCare 20 –  Introduction to Respiratory Care  5 units   First Year Spring Semester   RCare 21 –  Applications and Procedures  10 units   Second Year Fall Semester   RCare 22 –  Clinical Application I  8 units   Second Year Spring Semester   RCare 23 –  Clinical Application II  8 units RCare 25 –  Respiratory Disease  2 units                 In addition to the courses in the major, additional units in general education (GE) and electives are required for graduation. The Fresno City College Counseling Center will assist in identifying these general education courses. NOTE: All courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better.   Respiratory Care Board   All graduates within the state of California are licensed through the Respiratory Care Board in Sacramento. The “Board” may deny a license regulated by this code on the grounds that the applicant has one of the following: Been convicted of a crime…a plea or verdict of guilty. Done any act involving “dishonesty, fraud, or deceit…” If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation, you are required to state this on your state board examination. Fingerprinting is part of the application for licensure. In addition, a background check will be performed. This could affect your eligibility to take the State examination or obtain licensure. For further clarification, please contact the Respiratory Care Board directly at (916) 263-2626. Pre-Employment Background Evaluations Per the direction of our clinical affiliates, the Fresno City College Respiratory Care Program is now required to obtain pre-program student background checks. You will be asked to sign a release that allows the check to occur. Additionally, the student is responsible for the fee (approximately $40.00).   Organizational Links for Respiratory Care Practitioners: AARC- American Association for Respiratory Care http://www.aarc.org National Board for Respiratory Care http://nbrc.org (913) 599-4200   CSRC – California Society for Respiratory Care http://csrc.org ALA     American Lung Association of Central California 4948 N. Arthur Fresno, CA 93705 (559) 222-4800 1- 800 – LUNG USA JAMA Journals of the American Medical Association http://pubs.ama-assn.org/ RCB Respiratory Care Board 1426 Howe Street Suite 48 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 263-2626 University of California at San Francisco Center for Health Professions Respiratory Care Practitioners in California Also See: Frequently Asked Questions Facility Overview Respiratory Care Practitioner Form MajorSheet for Respiratory Care Practitioners

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