Southeast Community College

Welcome

The Technician Program was begun at Bryan Memorial Hospital and was initially accredited in 1973.  At that time, the Program was affiliated with Nebraska Wesleyan University.  The initial goal of the Program was to supply qualified graduates for Bryan hospital.  In 1977 the Program was officially transferred to Southeast Community College-Lincoln Campus.  The affiliation with Nebraska Wesleyan was discontinued and St. Elizabeth Community Health Center, Lincoln General Hospital and Bryan Memorial Hospital became the primary clinical affiliates.  The Program conducted a self-study and was reaccredited in 1979 and again in 1984.  The initial class of Therapist students was accepted in the fall of 1979.  Since an accredited Technician Therapist Program was already in existence at the College, The Therapist Program was developed using the 1+1 format.  The Program received initial accreditation in 1981 and reaccreditation was received in 1986 following a second self-study.  A third Therapist reaccreditation was received in 1992.  In 1993 the process began that resulted in the transition of the Respiratory Care Program from a 1+1 Program to an Associate of Applied Science Degree Therapist Program.  An AAS Degree Therapist program was officially offered on July 1, 1996.  The AAS Degree Therapist program was accredited for 10 years.  In 2005 the Respiratory Care Program graduated its first web-based, via the internet, class.  In 2006 the program completed the re-accreditation process and received an additional 10 year accreditation.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the national examinations and apply for a license from the State Health Department.

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Overview

The Respiratory Care Program is a six quarter (18 months) program.  Respiratory Care Students complete a comprehensive curriculum in patient assessment, treatment, management control, diagnostic evaluation, and the care of patients with lung or heart problems.  Supervised clinical practice at local hospitals and health centers give students practice in common procedures, such as administering medical gases, aerosols, and inhaled medications, applying ventilatory support, and testing techniques used in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.  Clinical practice for the program is provided in cooperation with a variety of healthcare facilities throughout the region.

The Respiratory Care Program offers classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction for traditional classes.  Students accepted into the class will enter during the summer quarter (July).  Students seeking an alternative form of education may apply to the web-based via the internet class.  Students accepted into the web-based class will enter during the summer quarter (July).

Graduates may continue their education towards a baccalaureate degree by transferring credit to receiving institutions.  Students need to check with the four-year college of their choice for information on transfer requirements and courses.

Program Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)  www.caahep.org on the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244, (817) 283-2835, www.coarc.com

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Mission

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Respiratory Care Program is to graduate competent Advanced-Level Respiratory Therapist.

The Respiratory Care Program goals are:

Upon completion of courswork students will -

1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate
 clinical information relative to their role as an Advanced-Level
 Respiratory Therapist.

2. Demonstrate the technical proficiency in all skills necessary to
 fulfill their role as an Advanced-Level Respiratory Therapist.

3. Demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and
 employer expectations for an Advanced-Level Respiratory
 Therapist.

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Requirements

Program Prerequisites 

Program prerequisites may be transferred or earned at SCC.  These courses must be completed before entry to the program.  The specific courses included: 

Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab
Microbiology with Lab
Physics with Lab
Chemistry with Lab
Medical Terminology

All required Program Prerequisite courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.75 or better prior to entry into the program.  Program entry is based on available space and successful completion of all prerequisites.

General Education Requirements

To complete an associate of applied science degree, a student must complete additional credit hours in the following general education core areas.

Oral Communications
 Written Communications
 Mathematics
 Social Science
 Science
 Humanities
 Computer Technology

A program prerequisite may fulfill general education requirements. All required General Education courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.5 or better prior to entry into the program.  After completion of the Prerequisites and General Education courses the student may apply to the Respiratory Care Program. Program entry is based on available space and successful completion of all prerequisites.

Special Program Prerequisites

1. Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license.  Contact your State Licensing Board if there are questions.
2. Criminal background checks will be conducted on all respiratory students. A criminal background check (CBC) will be required of each student in this program. Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. A non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed for the background check.
3. Completed Health Statement
4. Up-to-date Healthcare Provider CPR card
5. A minimum of 4 hours shadowing experience
6. Web-based students are required to attend a three day respiratory care workshop at the Lincoln campus.  Students will be responsible for their travel and lodging expenses for the workshop.

Clinical Experience

Clinical is the time students will have the opportunity to use the knowledge learned in the classroom along with the skills learned in lab to give care to patients or clients in a health care facility such as a nursing home, hospital or social service agency.

Clinical rotations will be assigned quarterly by the Clinical Director.  For the traditional students the majority of clinical will be in the Lincoln area.  Some specialty rotations may be assigned outside of the Lincoln area.  Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging during the specialty rotations.

For the web-based students a facility must be willing to work with the student and provide a preceptor for that clinical site.  When an on-line student makes application to the program he/she must give the Clinical Director the name of the facility and contact person.  The clinical Director will meet with the facility and make the appropriate arrangements.  Clinical hours will be managed on an individual bases.

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Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for knowing the contents of the Rules and Regulations contained within the Student Handbook for the program and Southeast Community College. Students are responsible for periodically reviewing the policies throughout the duration of the program so as to alleviate any miscommunications. Students are responsible to maintain appropriate, professional conduct at all times during clinical and didactic courses.   Additional student expectations include:

1.   Students must play an active role in their education process.
2.   Students must maintain a minimal grade of 75% (C+) in all didactic and  clinical courses.
3.   Students must maintain confidentiality regarding personal health information (PHI) of the patient, and              abide by HIPPA guidelines.
4.   Students must maintain current CPR certification and TB inoculation.
5.   Students must demonstrate affective behaviors in the classroom,     laboratory and clinical setting.
6.   Students must follow all safety requirements while on campus and during   clinical rotations.
7.   On-line students must adhere to all didactic and clinical due dates.
8.   On-line students must follow computer netiquette.
9.   On-line students must attend a three day workshop.