Open House:
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Welcome
to the Respiratory Care Department! If you are interested in or have questions about the
Respiratory Care Program at UTMB, please call us at (409) 772-5693 or email
Debbie Hamilton, our
Departmental Secretary. You may also
Request Program Information Online.
Respiratory Therapists work as part of the health
care team in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic laboratories,
rehabilitation centers and home care agencies. They work with physicians
and other health professionals in health care planning, evaluation, and
treatment of patients with cardiac and pulmonary disorders.
As clinicians they perform therapeutic and life
support procedures including the administration of oxygen and
aerosolized medications, breathing treatments, chest physical therapy
and mechanical ventilator support. In addition, they perform diagnostic
tests that assess cardiac and lung function and operate physiologic
monitoring equipment and life support systems in the critical care
setting.
A Matter of Life and Breath - Respiratory Therapist
Career Overview
The Department of Respiratory Care offers several different tracks
for students interested in the Profession of Respiratory Care. The
tracks begin with an entry level bachelors degree and advance to the
masters degree.
The Entry Level Bachelors Degree (BSRC) or Foundation Program is
designed for those just beginning their professional training with
little prior knowledge of Respiratory Care, and requires 60 semester
hours of prerequisites for admission and 87 semester hours (2 years) of
professional course work after entry into the program. During the Senior
year of the program, students become eligible to sit for the National
Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Entry Level Examination (required for
State licensure) and the (NBRC) Registry Examinations. Passing these
NBRC exams is a requirement for graduation.
The Career Ladder Program, designed for graduates of other types of
Respiratory Care Programs who have passed the NBRC Registry
examinations, provides for 55 semester hours of block credit. In
addition to the same 60 semester hours of prerequisites required for
admission to the Foundation program, career ladder students must
complete 35 semester hours of professional courses after entering the
program.
Beginning in the Spring of 2012 we will offer a Graduate Degree track
leading to a Master of Science Degree in Health Professions with a
specialty in Respiratory Care. The MS in Health Professions is a degree
targeting individuals who are registered therapists and are looking to
advance their training in one of the four specialty areas of management,
education, research or clinical practice. The masters curriculum is
predominantly a web-based curriculum.
In addition the Department offers two dual degree tracks for students
wishing to combine their Bachelors Degree in Respiratory Care with a
Graduate Degree in Physician Assistant Studies or a Doctoral Degree in
Physical Therapy. The BSRC must be completed before entering these
Graduate Degree programs.
Respiratory Therapists work as part of the health
care team in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic laboratories,
rehabilitation centers and home care agencies. They work with physicians
and other health professionals in health care planning, evaluation, and
treatment of patients with cardiac and pulmonary disorders. 
