ARC Respiratory Care Program

The Respiratory Care Program is designed to prepare California licensed respiratory care practitioner at the registered respiratory
therapist level. It focuses on diagnostic procedures, treatment, and management of patients with conditions affecting the
cardiopulmonary system. The respiratory care practitioner works closely with the physician in assessing the patient and planning
the proper respiratory care protocol.
The Respiratory Care curriculum is a two-year program designed to prepare the student for employment and to participate as a
member of the healthcare team by providing direct patient care. Experience in respiratory care is provided in selected local
hospitals where the student participates in clinical externships. Safe, ethical, and professional levels of practice are necessary for
retention of students in the Respiratory Care Program.
The student is responsible for providing uniforms (scrubs and lab coats), laboratory fees, malpractice insurance, necessary
equipment, and transportation to off-campus locations. All costs/fees are subject to change.
The two-year program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), P.O. Box 54876, Hurst, TX
76054-4876; (817) 283-2835. www.coarc.com

RC General Information Sheet

1. Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States or successful completion of the General Education
Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) as defined by the current requirements of the
State of California and the National Board for Respiratory Care:

1. Students with a high school diploma from a school outside the United States must have transcripts
   evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent
   agency. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.
2. Students who possess an Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree or higher from a regionally
   accredited college are exempt from the educational requirement stated above.
3. Students who have attended college outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a
   NACES approved independent agency, demonstrating AA/AS degree or higher. Such cases will be
   evaluated on an individual basis.

2. An overall G.P.A of 2.5 in the following science prerequisites: BIOL 430 (Anatomy & Physiology), BIOL 431 (Anatomy &
Physiology), BIOL 440 (General Microbiology) or BIOL 442 (General Bacteriology), PHYS 310 (Conceptual Physics), and AH
110 (Medical Language for Healthcare Providers).
3. A cumulative G.P.A of 2.0 in all college courses
4. Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet dated within the same calendar year

For the initial evaluation of all transcripts and previous coursework and to determine if the above eligibility requirements have
been met, an appointment must be scheduled with an ARC Counselor at (916) 484-8572. For course equivalency of
pre-respiratory care and degree major courses completed outside of the Los Rios Community College District, students must
provide course descriptions (from the semester in which the courses were completed). Course descriptions are not needed for
courses listed in ARC’s Nursing Articulation Grid.

Articulation Grid 2010 Edition

Articulation Grid 2017 Edition (Current)

The application link will be available during the first week of September. Please complete the application including any required documents in its entirety, to be eligible for acceptance.

Selection is based on a computerized random selection process from among the qualified applicants. Only applicants who meet
the educational and pre-enrollment requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.
Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Once accepted to the Respiratory Care
Program, students, MUST attend a Mandatory New Student Orientation, and at their own expense, must provide the following:

1. Health History and Report of Medical Examination with required inoculations prior to the first day of class.
2. Drug screening test and background check (required by clinical facilities). NOTE: If drug screening and background
   checks do not clear, the student may not be able to meet clinical requirements and may have to be dropped from the
   program.
3. Proof of malpractice insurance (malpractice insurance is not refundable).

Accepted applicants who DO NOT attend or are LATE at the Mandatory New Student Orientation may forfeit their place in the

Program. If you have any questions or inquiries, you may send an email to: ARCRespCare@arc.losrios.edu

Successful completion of the Respiratory Care Program qualifies the graduate for an Associate in Science degree and eligibility to sit for the advanced practitioner Therapist Multiple Choice Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (www.nbrc.org), earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and apply for the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) License issued by the Respiratory Care Board (RCB) of California (www.rcb.ca.gov). NOTE: In accordance with Article 5 of the Respiratory Care Practice Act, a person convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation may not qualify to be licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.

Physical Demands

• Perform prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking, lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring
  patients
• Possess the ability to perform fine motor movements with hands and fingers
• Possess the ability for extreme heavy effort (lift and carry at least 50 pounds or more)
• Perform considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Sensory Demands

• Color vision: ability to distinguish and identify colors (may be corrected with adaptive devices)
• Distance vision: ability to see clearly 20 feet or more
• Depth perception: ability to judge distance and space relationships
• Near vision: ability to see clearly 20 inches or less
• Hearing: able to recognize a full range of tones

Working Environment

• May be exposed to infectious and contagious disease, without prior notification
• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Exposed to hazardous agents, body fluids and wastes
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Subject to hazards of flammable explosive gases
• Subject to burns and cuts
• Contact with patients having different religion, culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, psychological and physical
  disabilities, and under a wide variety of circumstances
• Handle emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Requires decisions/actions related to end of life issues
• Exposed to products containing latex

English Language Skills

Although proficiency in English is not a criteria for admission into the Respiratory Care Program, students are encouraged to
be able to speak, write, and read English to complete classes successfully and to ensure safety for themselves and others.
Students are required to speak English in the clinical setting

American River College does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race or sex.
**NOTE: Information on this General Information subject to change without prior notice.