Frequently Asked Questions
Respiratory therapists (RT) are a vital component of the healthcare team. They are involved in the treatment and assessment of patient's with cardiopulmonary dysfunction ranging from asthma to respiratory arrest.
Respiratory therapists are specialists in managing patients on life support breathing machine that breathes for patients when they are unable.
In addition, respiratory therapists are involved in variety of patient education from smoking cessation to disease management.
Learn more about the profession of Respiratory Care with this video
Respiratory therapists work a variety of settings that include acute care facilities, outpatient clinics, pulmonary rehab centers, home care, sleep labs and skilled nursing facilities. RTs care for a wide range of patients from preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to adult patients with end stage lung disease.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the respiratory care profession is expected to grow by 23% between 2016 and 2026.
Currently respiratory therapists are in high demand with many facilities paying sign on bonuses!
There is also a growing opportunity for traveling respiratory therapists!
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Handbook, the median pay in 2020 was $62, 810. Employers often pay for Respiratory Therapists to receive advanced training, further increasing their earning potential.
Respiratory therapists require a minimum of an associate degree to practice respiratory care. Upon completion of an accredited respiratory care program students will be eligible to sit for the national board exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
To learn more about the respiratory care profession please visit the American Association for Respiratory Care website: Be An RT
Attend an upcoming CSCC Respiratory Care Information Session.
If you have attended another college, you must have your transcripts reviewed by the Records and Registration Office to determine if your credits transfer.
Dependent upon this review whether you have a degree from another institution will determine if you need any placement or admission testing for acceptance into the college.
Checking the Status of transfer credits: Health and Human Services Advising - hhsadvising@cscc.edu - (614) 287 - 2779
The deadline to apply for the Traditional Full-Time Track is Monday, March 31, 2025.
The deadline to apply for the Traditional Part-Time Track is October 18, 2024.
Students applying for the Full-Time program will be notified of their conditional acceptance on April 21, 2025.
Students applying for the Part-Time program will be notified of their conditional acceptance on November 1, 2024.
Acceptance into the program is conditional on the basis of the student passing all pre-requisite courses (RESP 1110 and RESP 1220) as well as a drug screen and background check. Students may be in progress with RESP 1110 and 1220 when notified of conditional acceptance.
Yes. Students are required to attend an online information session and complete a quiz to demonstrate their attendance.
Yes. You may take any courses on the Respiratory Care plan of study except the Respiratory Care Technical Courses (the exception of RESP 1110 and RESP 1220).
In fact, we recommend that students try to complete as many of the general education and basic-related courses that they can.
Although this is not a requirement, it makes the course load easier for working students. The Respiratory Care Program is an extremely demanding program academically, and students have reported that it is easier to manage when their other courses are out of the way.
Yes.
There is new information on the HESI exam.
There is a six month waiting period between testing.
CSCC is not offering reading placement at this time, we will use the HESI reading score of 88% to meet that requirement.
The program has been granted the official status of "Accredited" by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Students must successfully achieve a 76% of greater in all technical courses to move forward in the program.
Yes. You must apply for admission to the college before you can apply to the Respiratory Care Program.
It is free to apply to Columbus State.
The technical part-time program is completed in 8 semesters. Depending on the semester, the number of technical courses is 1-3 with 1 general and basic education course.The part-time program is Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday to allow students more flexibility with work commitments.
The full-time (traditional) plan of study is is completed in 5 semesters. A typical semester can have 3- 5 technical courses in a semester with 1-2 general and basic education courses.
Respiratory Care Health records differ from NURC, you will have to add to your health record. To verify health record requirements, you must contact Health Records.
We do not waive health records.
Students will receive special instructions on how to complete the drug screen and background check once they are contingently accepted into the program. The background and drug screen differs from NURC and will have to be repeated since we work with a pediatric population.
Yes, there are more vaccinations needed for the respiratory care program. Please see the health record form.
About a month - See the Health Record Checklist
- A health record must be completed to register for RESP 1110 (please see health records FAQ)
- BIO 2300 must be taken with RESP 1220, please register for BIO first and then register for RESP 1220.
- Please email respiratory@cscc.edu for additional assistance
Yes, if you meet 1 of the 2 criteria:
- If you have a current American Red Cross Responding to Emergencies First Aid Certification and a current American Heart Association BLS Certification
- If you have a current EMT or paramedic certification with a current AHA BLS.
Yes, technical courses are lock and key, meaning each course is a pre-requisite to the next course. Technical courses are offered one time a year.
No, but we are offering a part time track that may allow you to work with your employer.
Indya Sims
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Senior Clinical Talent Acquisition Partner
Human Resources
Certified Recruiter
614.722.5154 Phone
614.355.0315 Fax
Clinic can start as early as 5:30 a.m. and go to 7:15 p.m. depending on the semester.