1. What do Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) do?

2. Where do RCPs work?

3. What skills or abilities are needed?

4. What kind of work schedule do RCPs have?

5. Can I work with just one age group, like kids?

6. Are lots of jobs available?

7. How much do RCPs get paid?

8. Do employers provide health insurance?

9. Does the program prepare me for the "real" world?

10. Can I contact someone in my region for a tour?

11. Can I work in East Tennessee after graduation?

12. How long is the program?

13. Can I take courses part-time?

14. Can I take courses via distance education?

15. If I already have a degree, will my credits transfer to the Respiratory Care program?

16. If I have a degree from a foreign country, will my credits transfer to the Respiratory Care program?

17. What is a typical class schedule?

18. What supplies and uniforms will I need?

19. How much does the program cost?

20. Do I need a car?

21. Is it possible to work and go to school at the same time?

22. Is financial aid available?

23. What is the deadline for applications to the program?

24. How many people apply to the program each year?

25. Do I need to complete all of the prerequisite courses before applying to the program?

26. I took many of my prerequisites several years ago. Are those courses "still good"?

27. Will I need a license to work in Tennessee?

28. How much does it cost to get licensed?

29. If I graduate from WSCC’s program, can I only work in Tennessee?

30. Is there a professional society?

31. What's the difference between a CRT and an RRT?

32. Are the Respiratory Care course credits transferable to other colleges or universities?

Frequently Asked Questions - Answers

1. RCPs may work in general care wards, neonatal, pediatric, and/or adult intensive care units,   pulmonary function labs, rehabilitation, etc.
Typical duties include:
Performing physical exams relating to heart and lung function;
Performing diagnostic tests for heart and lung function;
Administering medical gases and inhaled medications;
Performing treatments to expand the lung and clear mucus;
Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
Monitoring and maintaining patients on life support;
Drawing and analyzing arterial blood for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid levels;
Teaching patients methods of managing their diseases and enhancing their quality of life.
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2. Most Respiratory Care Practitioners work in hospitals. Some RCPs are employed in physician offices, medical supply companies, and home care companies.
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3. Respiratory Care Practitioners must be able to prioritize tasks and work both independently, and as part of the health care team. RCPs should be somewhat computer literate, and able to effectively communicate orally and in writing. RCPs must have good manual dexterity, good interpersonal skills, and be able to solve problems when necessary - and be able to prevent problems when possible. Most of all, RCPs must be caring individuals who are advocates for their patients. Integrity, a desire for life-long learning, and professionalism are all characteristics of successful RCPs.
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4. Because hospitals remain open evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, RCPs must expect to work a variety of shifts and days. It is not unusual for new employees to work evenings or nights, every other weekend, and rotating holidays. RCPs who work in pulmonary function lab, pulmonary rehabilitation, and other specialty areas typically work Monday through Friday day shifts.
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5. Some hospitals specialize in patients of a certain age group, like pediatrics. However, most hospitals will see patients of any age.
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6. Yes. Respiratory Care is considered one of the fastest growing fields. Respiratory Care positions are expected to grow by 35% by the year 2010, making the profession one of the top five, fastest growing fields in Tennessee.
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7. The average starting hourly rate, in Tennessee, is $13 - $16 per hour. Hospitals provide a shift differential for evenings and weekends; overtime is frequently available. Pay will also increase with greater levels of work responsibility, such as being a supervisor. Salaries are generally higher on the east and west coasts, however, so is the cost of living.
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8. Yes, hospitals offer health insurance to employees. Full-time practitioners are generally eligible for full benefits.
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9. Graduates of the program feel they are very well prepared for work in the hospital. Employers of our graduates speak very highly of them, and of our program. Many hospitals seek graduates of our program because of the preparation they receive.
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10. If you would like to contact a Respiratory Therapist in your area, please email us or call our Department at (423) 798-7965 for the name of a contact person in your area. We may be able to help you set up a time when you can meet with a local Respiratory Therapist and spend time observing them work.
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11. Most of the students remain in upper East Tennessee after graduation. Even though the local medical community employs most of the graduates, there is no guarantee that you will be able to secure a position in East Tennessee; however, every year we receive more requests from hospitals for our graduates.
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12. The program is two-years long, leading to an Associate of Science Degree. The first year should be spent completing all general education courses and the prerequisites for the program. See the curriculum page for a more detailed proposed course of study.
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13. The Pre-Clinical and General Education courses can be taken part-time at any accredited college or university. None of the respiratory care (RESP) courses may be taken part-time; please check with the faculty for further details.
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14. None of the respiratory care courses are offered via distance education at this time; however, some of the general education courses are offered via distance education.
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15. Most of the credits taken at any accredited college or university will transfer. The Program Director will need a copy of your college transcripts to provide specific information regarding your transfer credits.
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16. Most of the credits taken at any accredited college or university will transfer. The Admissions Office can assist foreign students applying for admission. The College will need a copy of your college transcripts to provide specific information regarding your transfer credits.
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17. Once you begin the clinical phase of the program in the fall term, you can count on being either in class/lab or clinicals Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:00. Some clinical sites require a start time of 6:00 a.m. If you plan on taking other general education class work after beginning the clinical phase, you will only be able to schedule late afternoon or evening classes.
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18. You will need to purchase scrubs, a laboratory jacket, stethoscope, watch with a second hand, and a few miscellaneous items.
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19. Tuition costs are approximately $5,300. Books cost around $800 for the entire program. Liability insurance, professional society dues, uniforms, equipment, physical examination, immunizations add another $1,000 to the program cost. Generally, the cost for the entire Respiratory Care Program is about $7,000.
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20. Because students are required to perform clinical at the various hospitals in upper East Tennessee, a car is mandatory. Car pooling is can be done on class days, but because of the number of clinicals sites, students cannot rely upon a car pool to attend clinicals.
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21. Yes, although since the course work is difficult, we recommend working no more than twenty hours per week. You should plan on spending 3-hours of study/practice for every hour spent in the classroom or laboratory. To continue working and meet the program’s requirements, you need a flexible work schedule and a supportive family.
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22. All students at WSCC are eligible for some type of  financial aid. It is important to contact the financial aid office to get the details on applying.
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23. Applications are due no later than April 30^th of each year. After final grades are posted for the spring semester, the program will inform those applicants who have been selected to enter the clinical portion of the program.
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24. It is not unusual to receive thirty to forty applications each year. We typically enroll about 20 to 22 students each year.
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25. No, we will accept students who are still completing general education courses. However, it is mandatory that the prerequisites be completed before the end of the spring semester of the year in which you apply. The prerequisites are: BIOL 2010/2011, 2020/2021 and computer competency. If you have concerns about courses that you cannot complete before the end of the spring semester, speak with an advisor regarding your plans for future semesters.
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26. Yes, we will accept older courses with the following restrictions. All biology courses must have been taken within the last ten years and must have a grade of “C” or better. Other general education courses have no time limit associated with them.
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27. Yes. After graduating from an accredited program, you are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care RRT Examination. After passing this Exam, you can apply for a license with the Respiratory Care Council.
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28. It costs $210 for the application and $110 every two years to renew the license.
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29. No. After graduating from an accredited Respiratory Care Program, you are eligible to apply for a license anywhere in the country.
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30. The national professional society is the American Association for Respiratory Care (www.aarc.org) . The state professional society is the Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care (http://www.tntsec.org)
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31. A Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) is someone who has graduated from an entry-level Respiratory Care Program and has passed the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Entry Level Examination. A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) has graduated from an Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care Program, passed the NBRC Entry Level Examination, and then passed the Written Registry and Clinical Simulation Examinations.
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