Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy

Join the Respiratory Therapy program at Tacoma Community College! Gain hands-on skills and prepare for certification. Apply now for your future career!

Program Description The 2-year Respiratory Therapy program leads to an Associate in Applied Sciences degree, Respiratory Therapy. Program graduates are eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care to earn certification as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). This enables students to become eligible to take the Clinical Simulation to earn their Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages to evaluate, monitor, and treat breathing disorders and cardiovascular problems, such as asthma and emphysema. This may include administering oxygen, measuring lung function, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergencies, or managing mechanical ventilators. As a respiratory therapist, students will work under the direction of a physician in this growing field. They'll find employment in a variety of settings, including acute/critical care hospitals, extended care facilities, outpatient clinics, private physicians' offices, home care companies, sleep studies, pulmonary function testing and equipment sales.