Respiratory Therapy Program Brochure

Introduction

This course equips aspiring Respiratory Therapists with the foundational knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes needed for interactions with various Healthcare Disciplines including the Clinical laboratory settings. Through hands-on practice, instructor guidance, and a clinical practicum, students build confidence in Respiratory Therapy techniques. The Bakersfield College Respiratory Therapy Program (RTP) is designed to educate and train students for entry level practice, obtain an Associate of Science degree, be eligible to take the national exams and work in a structured health care setting. Students must complete pre-requisite coursework before applying to the program. It is the minimum expectation that program participants will work toward the program goal.

Mission

The mission of the respiratory therapist education program is to prepare students to become competent, compassionate, and highly skilled healthcare professionals who specialize in cardiopulmonary care. These programs aim to develop proficiency across three key domains:

• Cognitive (Knowledge): Equip students with a deep understanding of respiratory anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapeutic interventions.
• Psychomotor (Skills): Train students in hands-on clinical procedures such as airway management, mechanical ventilation, and diagnostic testing.
• Affective (Behavior): Foster professional behavior, ethical decision-making, and effective communication within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Recommended Courses

MEDS B37: Medical Terminology - course is strongly recommended prior to completion of BIOL courses

Pre-requisite Requirements

• BIOL B32: Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL B33: Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL B16: General Microbiology
• CHEM B11 or CHEM B1A: Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry or General Chemistry
• MATH B27: College Algebra or higher-level Math
• Additional Requirement: Students are required to show proof of a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) card. This BLS card must always be valid.
  * This requirement can be fulfilled by completion of MEDS B52.

Assessment Tests

All conditionally accepted students and alternates will be required to take the ATI TEAS exam, a state approved nursing assessment test. The ATI TEAS is not a pre-requisite to the Bakersfield College RTP program, however it is a requirement to secure an offered seat in the program. Students need to study and test using the ATI TEAS, 7^th edition, as earlier editions are no longer accepted. Bakersfield College students can look into a free study guide made available through the Student Success Lab-CSS 143. Students must rank at or above 62% on their first attempt on the ATI TEAS exam to be eligible for admission into the program. Students not meeting the criteria will be offered a remediation program. If students have already taken and passed the current version of the exam, they are not required to retake the exam if passed.

Remediation Program

Students who do not meet the ATI TEAS Score of 62%, will be considered eligible for enrollment into the RNP Program ONLY upon successful completion of the remediation courses listed below. These courses MUST be completed within 12 months from the initial application date to the RNP Program. Failure to meet this requirement would result in ineligibility. For those students with a prior 1^st attempt TEAS that do not meet this requirement, contact Educational Advisors for further instruction: Olly Garcia Beltran: alejandra.garciabeltran@bakersfieldcollege.edu, or Luz Vega: luz.vega@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

1. ACDV B70 A through F Series — Study Skills with a “P” (passing grade)
2. NURS B30 — Pathophysiology (or equivalent course) with a “B” or higher - may be taken off campus
3. Purchase the ATI Testing Basic Package study guide-provide copy of transcript reflecting time spent studying and multiple attempts at pre-test and post-test scores — a minimum of 6 weeks of study time must be documented to meet requirement

*Once remediation has been completed, students must retake the ATI TEAS at any of the approved test sites AND achieve a score of at least 62% to be considered eligible to re-apply. If the retake score is less than 62%, the student is no longer eligible for the RN program.

Bakersfield College General Education Pattern - RTP

General education courses are required to graduate from BC with an Associate Degree. It is strongly suggested that most of these courses be completed prior to beginning the RTP Program:

• A. Communication in the English Language and Critical Thinking (6 units)
  • A.1 Oral Communication (3 units)
    • COMM B1*-Public Speaking recommended, or any course as listed in Area A.1 (“C” grade or higher) (COMM B2* see advisor for approval status)
  • A.2 Written Communication (3 units)
    • ENGL B1A*-Expository Composition (“C” grade or higher) - prerequisite course
• B. Physical Universe and Life Forms (6 units)
  • B.1 Natural Sciences (3 units) BIOL B32*-Anatomy & Physiology I, B33*-Anatomy & Physiology II and B16*-Microbiology - prerequisite courses
  • B.2 Mathematics and Logic (3 units) Math B27 College Algebra, its equivalent, or higher level (“C” grade or higher)
• C. Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and Foreign Language (3 units)
  • C.1 / C.2 PHIL B12-Ethics of Living and Dying recommended, or any course as listed in area C of the General Education Pattern in the BC Catalog
• D. Social, Political, Legal and Economic Institution and Behavior, Historical Background (9 units for AA;6 units for AS)
  • D.1 RNP Students are not required to take a course from this area
  • D.2 ANTH B2* - Cultural Anthropology or SOC B1* - Intro to Sociology (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)
  • D.3 American (U.S. Institutions) (3 units) Any course listed in area D.3 of the General Education Pattern in the BC Catalog
• E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (4 units total)
  • PSYC B1A*-General Psychology (“C” grade or higher) (3 units)
  • Physical Education 1 unit required from PHED courses as listed in the BC Catalog: PHED B2-B29 or B32-B33 (1 unit)

Students are encouraged to meet with a Health Science Counseling team member if there is a desire to pursue their Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT).

Please Note: Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to complete an Educational Planning Course to meet matriculation and graduation requirements and receive priority registration. Courses meeting this requirement include:

• STDV B1 - Educational Planning - or any STDV course listed in the BC Catalog. These courses are recommended to be taken during the first semester at BC
  OR
• NURS B99 - Strategies for Success in a Nursing Program

Note: All graduation requirements must be met to earn an Associate Degree and to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) licensure exam. The TMC exam is a significant step in the licensure process for respiratory therapists, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for the challenges of practicing in the field.

Next - Applying