Welcome
to the Respiratory Care Department
(click here to see
aerial view of UTMB-Galveston) ! 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.
The Department of Respiratory Care offers a Bachelor of Science Degree for applicants entering the field (FOUNDATION PROGRAM) and for Registered Respiratory Therapists (CAREER LADDER PROGRAM).
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 60 semester hours of prerequisites required for admission, students must complete 35 semester hours of professional courses after entering the program.
The Foundation Program, designed for those entering the field, requires 60 semester hours of prerequisites for admission and 86 semester hours (2 years) of professional courses after entry into the program. After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the (NBRC) National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination (required for State licensure) and the (NBRC) Registry Examinations.
