Respiratory Care - AAS

Program Details

• Admission

  The Respiratory Care program begins in August of each year.  Due to the guidelines set forth by CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care), enrollment in the HutchCC Respiratory Care program is limited.  

  Admission to the Respiratory Care program shall be made December 15th – May 15th for the class starting the following August.  Application to Hutchinson Community College and official transcripts must be on file to apply to the Respiratory Care program. The completion of the application is the student's responsibility. To meet this responsibility, the student must:

  • Apply for admission to Hutchinson Community College as a degree seeking student.
  • Send all official transcripts to Hutchinson Community College.
  • Complete program prerequisites. All prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program, August 1st. Students who still have prerequisite courses to complete after the May 15th application deadline and who meet the necessary guidelines for admission, may be eligible to receive a provisional letter of acceptance, provided all prerequisite courses are completed by August 1st.
    • All prerequisite courses must be within 7 years
    • Grades must be a “C” or higher; 2.0 or higher.
      • Human Anatomy & Physiology
      • Medical Terminology
      • Intermediate Algebra
  • Complete Respiratory Care Program Application 
  • Two professional/colleague references must be completed to be considered for ranking.
  • Required general education courses (may be completed during the program, but it is recommended these be completed prior to the start of the program).
    • GPA for general education courses must be a “C” or higher; 2.0 or higher.
      •  English Comp I
      • Speech /Interpersonal Communications
      • General Psychology
      • Pharmacology
  • Applicants are ranked based upon the total points acquired. The top students are accepted into the program (based on number of spots available), provided that all other admission conditions have been met.
  • Upon acceptance into the program, a comprehensive physical, drug screen, and background check will be required, along with current vaccinations. The cost for this will be handled by the student.

  For questions or concerns with the application process, please contact the Respiratory Care office at: respiratorytherapy@hutchcc.edu or 620-694-2456

  Course Semester Layout

• Program Cost
  Cost of attending HutchCC 

  Course Fees for Respiratory Care Program 
• Outcomes

  For information on our accreditation status and program outcomes visit https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/ 

• Technical Standards

  Students in the Allied Health Department must have the following minimum abilities:

  • Observation – Students must be able to observe lectures and demonstrations.
  • Communication – Students must be able to use multiple communication techniques including verbal, nonverbal, written, group processes and information technology in order to communicate with instructors, peers, health professionals, patients and others.
  • Be able to speak, comprehend, read and write in English.
  • Motor Function – Students must possess the skills necessary to carry out the procedures in their discipline.
  • Intellectual/Conceptual/Integrative/Quantitative – Students must read, understand and be able to discuss information from reading.
  • Acquire and apply information from classroom instruction, lectures, laboratory experience, independent learning, and team projects.

  Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate, and process information

  • Behavioral, Emotional, and Social – Students must possess the emotional health required for full use of his or her intellectual abilities.
  • Be able to maintain professionalism under stress.
  • Develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with others.
  • Adapt to changing environments.
  • Work cooperatively with instructors, peers, health professionals, patients, and others.
  • Physical Endurance – Students must possess physical stamina sufficient to complete assignments within the allotted time.

  Respiratory Care Technical Standards

  • Intellectual and Emotional Maturity: To ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment in the performance of assigned responsibilities in stressful situations.Visual Ability: Acuity must be sufficient to assess clients in their environment and to implement the respiratory care plans that are developed from such assessments.
  • Hearing Ability: Must be sufficient to assess and respond to clients in their environments and be able to hear & respond to various alarm functions in the midst of background sounds.
  • Factory Ability: Must be sufficient to assess and respond to the clients in their environments and to implement the respiratory care plans that are developed for such assessments.
  • Tactile Ability: Must be sufficient to assess and treat clients in their environments and to implement the respiratory care plans that are developed for such assessments.
  • Gross & Fine motor skills: Must be sufficient to perform psychomotor skills necessary for client care. The student and faculty member must be able to lift 50 pounds and be able to maneuver equipment and patients under various clinic situations.
  • Ability to speak, comprehends, read and write in English at a level that effectively communicates with clients, families, significant others, and groups respecting social-cultural, and spiritual diversity.
  • Endurance: Must be able to endure being on their feet for 12 hours shifts, moving around the clinic area, and transporting patients to and from various medical procedures in and out of elevators with only limited breaks.