First Year
First Semester: Respiratory classes are from approximately 9AM to 3PM on Tuesday and Thursday. Lab sessions (RET1026L) are limited to ten students so the time schedule will depend on the lab session that you choose.
Second Semester:
Respiratory classes take place on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Times on Thursday are approximate depending on the lab session that you choose.
Clinical rotations at the hospital begin the second semester of the program on Wednesday and Fridays. You will need to purchase a lab coat, hospital scrubs and a stethoscope. The clinical coordinator will advise you of the color and types of items to purchase.
During your clinical rotations, paid clinical instructors stay with you and provide the expertise you need for proper training as a respiratory therapist. Your rotations include non critical areas, intensive care areas for adults, pediatrics and neonates, emergency room training, pulmonary function testing and long term care facility rotations. In addition, you will have opportunities to explore specialties like sleep medicine and pulmonary rehabilitation. You will be taught the competencies you need to independently function as a respiratory therapist when you graduate and become employed as an RRT.
The times are on Wednesday and Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Afternoon clinicals are from 2:45 p.m. until 11:15 p.m when available.
Third Semester (Six weeks): Respiratory class meets on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The clinical rotations at the hospital are on Wednesday and Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m and from 2:45pm until 11:15pm.
Second Year
First Semester: Respiratory classes meet on Monday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The clinical rotations are on Wednesday and Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.
Second Semester: Respiratory classes meet on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The clinical rotations at the hospital are on Wednesday and Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.
Final Semester: During the final semester of your second year, intensive training takes place to prepare you for the national exams. A seminar is scheduled, and practice questions and simulations are part of the preparation. Prior to graduating from the program, an exit exam must be passed. The exam is given by the National Board for Respiratory Care to all students graduating from a respiratory therapy program. Students also become certified in ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) prior to graduation.
After graduation from the program, the cost of becoming a registered respiratory therapist who can practice in the State of Florida is approximately $550 including the exams and the State of Florida license. The first exam can be taken within a week of graduating from the program.
Personal Grooming
In choosing a career in Respiratory Therapy, you will be directly involved with the health of other human beings. Professional attire and personal grooming are important, not only to the respiratory profession, but to the public as well. You will be a representative of the respiratory team and must be an example to those with whom you come in contact. Therefore, regulations about uniforms and personal grooming are necessary and are to be followed.
Respiratory Therapy Program Progression Policy
Auditing passed courses is recommended. The program has an obligation to assure that any student who progresses in the program and is eventually assigned to a clinical rotation has demonstrated sufficient academic knowledge as well as competency in the skills that will be required in the clinical arena. A student repeating a respiratory course will be asked to audit some of the respiratory courses already passed in the same year as the failed course. *** All students must be aware that if they are receiving Financial Aid, these audited courses will not be included in the financial aid package. The student must pay the full cost of the course including any fees that are part of the course.
***Auditing an already passed respiratory care course: The audited course must be successfully repeated (grade of “C” or higher) in order to continue in the respiratory program or re entry exams must be successfully taken.