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Respiratory Therapists work with doctors and nurses to help manage and improve breathing in the body of patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Respiratory Therapists, also called RT’s, are critical members of a healthcare team, working closely with doctors to diagnose, manage, and educate patients with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and many other respiratory diseases. RT’s can work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly; it’s a fast-paced environment that requires quick decisions, strong critical thinking, an understanding of technical equipment, and excellent communication skills. In addition to classroom instruction, OFTC’s program requires students to spend a required number of hours in a high-tech simulation lab practicing their skills and participate in a clinical rotation at a variety of local medical facilities.
The program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac pharmacology, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure ventilation, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care.
Program graduates receive a Respiratory Care Associate Degree of Applied Science which qualifies them to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. To work in the state of Georgia, all respiratory care practitioners must apply and be granted a license. The only way to obtain a license is to successfully pass NBRC board exams.
Completion of this program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care professional license in Georgia.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Care is accredited by:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
264 Precision Boulevard
Telford, TN 37690
Phone 817-283-2835
Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s CoARC Program Number is 200474.
Program Outcomes Data may be found at coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
The Respiratory Care program can be completed in 6 semesters.
The job outlook for respiratory therapists is growing much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the older adult population will lead to an increased prevalence of respiratory conditions will lead to increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments in hospitals, outpatient facilities, health clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Various grants and scholarships are available to help make OFTC an affordable choice. Ask about program specific opportunities for financial aid and payment plans.
With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Respiratory Care department programs range from:
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
Respiratory Therapists who excel on the job have no problem rising up in the ranks at hospitals, as business owners, in corporate settings, and in educational settings.
Practice your people skills and problem-solving abilities to better relate to and examine patients, plus interactions with other health care personnel.
Campuses
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.
Click an individual program above to find the OFTC campus where it is taught, in part or in its entirety.
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions!
Admissions Process
Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.
NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy. |
General Requirements
Additional admissions requirements unique to each program are listed on each individual program page in the OFTC Catalog Need More Info?
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Students can enter the Respiratory Care program any semester — because when you are ready to start on the path to a new career and change your life, there’s no reason to wait.
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology. While general education core courses are offered in a variety of formats, program and occupational course formats may be more limited depending on the program. Talk with a program advisor for details.
These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.
Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.
These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.
OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.
We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.
Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.
And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.
Apply TodayAt OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Financial Aid
OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations. Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Respiratory Care department programs range from:
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Respiratory Care degree program can find a variety of employment opportunities in hospitals, home health companies, physicians’ offices, pulmonary function laboratories, and medical equipment sales.
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Respiratory Therapists
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What does this mean to you? Now is an excellent time to start a career in respiratory therapy because there will be plenty of job opportunities once you graduate!
To work in the state of Georgia, all respiratory care practitioners must apply and be granted a license. The only way to obtain a license is to successfully pass the National Board for Respiratory Care board exams. Graduates of OFTC’s Respiratory Therapy program have a 100% job placement rate. Students interested in OFTC’s program can be confident that upon successful completion of the program they will be equipped and prepared to start their careers.
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