Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapy graduates are eligible to complete the credentialing process through the National Board for Respiratory Care.
2025 Respiratory Therapy Admissions Packet
Applicants to the 2025 Respiratory Therapy no longer need to complete a CHEMISTRY course. Applicants for 2025 must complete BIO 168 and MAT 143 or higher prior to the MAR Checklist submission date.
The Respiratory Therapy program at Catawba Valley Community College was established in 1991. This program offers career education for individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist. The Respiratory Program's main goal is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). The respiratory therapist is qualified to assume primary responsibility for respiratory and cardiac care. The therapist makes patient care decisions concerning the use of life-support systems, oxygen therapy, and other breathing treatments. They also perform heart and lung studies. Upon graduation from the therapist program, the student receives the Associate in Applied Science (AAS).
Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program are eligible to apply for admission to take examinations from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Successful completion culminates in the RRT credential. This credential is required to become licensed in North Carolina.
Employment settings for graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, education, industry, and home care.
The department is housed in the Cuyler A. Dunbar building and departmental facilities include classroom and laboratory facilities as well as ValleySim Hospital and computer lab access. Maximum student enrollment at CVCC's main campus day weekday program is 25. Maximum student enrollment at the Gaston Satellite Dallas campus is 10.
The respiratory therapy program is designed to be completed in five semesters although many students choose to extend their course work over a longer span of time.
The Respiratory Therapy Program at Catawba Valley Community College, CoARC # 200407, Associate in Applied Science degree is awarded, at the Hickory, NC campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care www.coarc.com
CVCC's Gaston Satellite Respiratory Program, CoARC #300039 - AAS Degree Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice Program, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) has a collaboration agreement with Gaston College of Dallas, NC to offer a satellite option per approval by the CoARC. While the degree is earned through CVCC, all students accepted into the program will take the entirety of their respiratory program courses at Gaston College’s Dallas campus.
Please check out our senior student's Class of 2024 Respiratory Student's Capstone Video
Information Session
Please complete the pre-registration form for a Respiratory Program Information Session at this link or use the QR code provided below. Once you have chosen a date on the pre-registration form, a Microsoft Teams virtual information session link will be emailed to you soon. For more information or questions, please contact the Department Head of Respiratory ngodwin985@cvcc.edu or healthcare@cvcc.edu
Accreditation Information
» Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
CoARC
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
USA
TELEPHONE: 817-283-2835
Outcomes data for the program can be found at CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data
Program Information
Program Options
Program Options
- Respiratory Therapy, AAS
Please see the catalog for more information about the degree option in this curriculum.
Program packets and Information Sessions are located under the Information Tab.
Related Programs
Related Programs
Information
Information
2025 Respiratory Therapy Admissions Packet
Comprehensive Articulation Agreement
The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) allows a student who earns the Associate degree with no grade lower than a "C" to be guaranteed admission to at least one of the UNC system schools as a Junior and make a smooth transition for maximum credit transfer.
Some Associate in Applied Science degrees may transfer in full or in part to a four-year school. CVCC has agreements with certain schools to accept the AAS degree in a 2 + 2 arrangement (subject to change).
Important Note: As always, it is imperative that a student at CVCC should be in full conversation with the senior school before selecting and completing a program of study at CVCC.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy may transfer to Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (bilateral agreement).
ValleySim Hospital
CVCC uses state-of the are facility and equipment. Many of our training services are located and facilitated by the CVCC ValleySim Hospital.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards
The following activities are examples of the kind of activities which a student in the Respiratory Therapy program will be required to perform in order to successfully complete the program. If an accepted applicant believes that he/she cannot meet one of more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, the applicant should consult the director of the program for student with disabilities.
| Issue | Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Respiratory Therapy students should possess critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. | Students must be able to identify cause and effect relationships in clinical situations; develop and/or participate in the development of respiratory care patient plans. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess interpersonal abilities sufficient for interaction with individuals, families, groups, etc. from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. |
A student must be able to establish rapport with patients, families and other health care members. |
| Communication Skills | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess communication skills sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret therapeutic interventions and patient/client responses. |
| Mobility | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess physical abilities sufficient to move room to room and maneuver in small spaces, stand and walk extensive periods of time. | Move around in patients' rooms, work spaces and treatment areas, administer cardiopulmonary procedures. |
| Motor Skills | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective respiratory care procedures. | Set up, calibrate and use equipment, position patients/clients, perform CPR. |
| Hearing | Respiratory Therapy students must possess auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, ausculatory breath and heart sounds, cries for help. |
| Visual | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care. | Observe patient/client responses, see calibration and alarms for equipment, patient assessment. |
| Tactile | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. | Auscultation, percussion, palpation and the therapeutic modalities related to therapeutic interventions. |
| Weight-Bearing | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess the ability to lift and/or manipulate 45-50 lbs. | Position patients/clients, move equipment. |
| Cognitive Abilities | Respiratory Therapy students shall possess ability to be oriented to time, person and place, organize responsibilities, and make decisions. | Student shall assess patient/client complaints and implement appropriate treatment. |
| Occupational Exposures | Respiratory Therapy students may be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and latex. Students shall use appropriate precautions at all times. | Student may be assigned a client/patient with a communicable disease and shall provide total care using universal precautions. |
Career Outlook
Respiratory Therapy: Career Outlook
Contact Information
Department Head, Respiratory Therapy
Health & Public Services
Email:
Nikonya Godwin
Phone: 828-327-7000
x4243
For questions regarding admissions requirements, contact:
Admissions
healthcare@cvcc.edu
(828) 327-7000, ext. 4216