This Respiratory Therapy program (registry level) prepares the student for a professional career as a respiratory therapist. Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty instrumental in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventive care of patients with cardiopulmonary problems. Respiratory Therapy offers persons interested in caring for others an opportunity to serve as vital members of the health care team.
Applicants to the Respiratory Therapy program must have graduated from high school or have earned a state equivalency diploma and must exhibit evidence of a strong background in a college preparatory program. A minimum 2.0 average is required in high school biology, chemistry, and algebra. A score of 1050 or better is required on the SAT with a minimum of 450 on each section of the critical reading and math components. Applicants must tour a Respiratory Therapy department. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview with the Respiratory Therapy Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, or Medical Director. Size of the classes is limited. Transfer students will be considered for admission to the Program on an individual basis. NOTE: Admission to the College and Respiratory Therapy major does not guarantee admission to the clinical portion of the program, which begins the summer following the sophomore year. Interviews will be conducted by the selection committee in March for selection of the group that will begin clinical training in Summer Session. Students with a GPA of less than 2.5 and those who have not completed the required freshman and sophomore courses with a 2.0 or better grade will only be considered as space is available.
Respiratory Therapy students should be prepared for expenses in addition to those identified as tuition, fees, and room and board costs. Most additional expenses relate to costs for uniforms, supplies such as a stethoscope, medical insurance, textbooks, membership in professional organizations, and other supplies.
Classroom, laboratory, and clinical facilities at the York Hospital will be utilized for the Respiratory Therapy courses. Students will also receive clinical education at secondary clinical affiliates. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Respiratory Therapy classes, laboratories, and clinical experience.
It is becoming a common trend that employees who work in health care will not be allowed to use tobacco. WellSpan has already made this a requirement for new applicants.
Therefore, following the guidelines as put forth for WellSpan employees, applications to Allied Health Education Programs will not be accepted if the applicant uses tobacco in any form. Including the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). Students must remain tobacco-free during the entire program. Furthermore, if a student presents to the clinical area “smelling like smoke”, the student will be asked to leave the clinical area until the odor is resolved.
To remain in and progress through the Respiratory Therapy major, a 2.0 or higher must be obtained in each respiratory (RT#) course. In addition, the student must carry a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater. A student who receives less than a 2.0 in any Respiratory course will be permitted to repeat the course only one time. Since course sequencing is essential, a failed course will necessitate the student stepping out of the Program until the course is offered again the following year. All students who interrupt the suggested progression of courses for any reason must submit a letter of intent to the Respiratory Therapy Program Director at least two months prior to the start of the semester for which they desire reinstatement. Reinstatement into the Program is not guaranteed and will be evaluated on an individual basis as space is available. An interview with the Program staff and testing of base knowledge will be required to determine which courses will need to be repeated, possibly including some that were already passed. A student may not fail more than one Respiratory course. A second failure will result in dismissal from the Program.
Successful completion of the four-year Respiratory Therapist program qualifies the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 10801 Mastin St., Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66210-1614. www.nbrc.org.
The clinical courses in Respiratory Therapy may not be scheduled according to conventional semester scheduling and may include clinical scheduling during evenings and nights.
The York College of Pennsylvania Respiratory Care Program, CoARC program number 210273, Baccalaureate of Science degree, York, PA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care www.coarc.com.
Requirements for Graduation:
To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Respiratory Therapy must complete a minimum of 122 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. A 2.0 or higher grade must be earned in each Respiratory Therapy course.
The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete First Year Seminar, Foundations (FCO 103 will be a required co-requisite with FCO 105 for students who have a high school GPA below 3.20), Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.
In addition, students majoring in Respiratory Therapy must maintain a 2.0 average in all major requirements.