Respiratory Therapists provide care ranging from emergent to long-term maintenance. They may assist with external cardiac massage, CPR, placing artificial airways or arterial lines, or obtaining arterial blood gases or EKGs. They will provide care to their patients with the use of mechanical ventilators, aerosol gases, aerosol nebulizer treatments, or other respiratory specific equipment. Following treatment, the respiratory therapist will monitor the patient’s physiologic response to the treatment by obtaining vital signs or monitoring test results.
The Associate in Science (AS) degree in Respiratory Care will prepare students to work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures and related duties.
More information can be obtained by visiting the The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Degree Information
Your pathway toward admission into the A.S. Respiratory Care Program
Our A.S. in Respiratory Care is a limited access program. This requires admission into LSSC first, then students may apply to the program. If you are not a current LSSC student or have not applied to LSSC, please click the link below to apply to the college:
Important Notes:
When selecting your program, choose the Associate of Arts program with a concentration in the Health Professions Program you are pursuing
It may take 2-3 business days to receive your LSSC email. Once received you can complete the Program Application.
- Apply to the Respiratory Care Program
- Submit your high school/GED and prior college/university transcripts
- Attend a Mandatory Information Session
- Meet with an Advisor
- Meet pre-requisite and GPA requirement: Applicants must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. Complete all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better. Guided pathways to success pdf
- Apply for Financial Aid and LSSC Foundation Scholarships
Admission Contingencies
Confirmed acceptance into the program will be granted when the following contingencies are met:
- Background Check
- Complete a physical examination and essential functions examination by a licensed provider (MD/DO/PA-C/ARNP)
- Immunizations
- Drug Test
- Mandatory Orientation
- Must be 17 years of age or older by the program start date
Meeting the minimum requirements does not constitute admission to the Respiratory Care Program.
Admission decisions are based on your academic record, supporting documents/contingency requirements, and your application to the program.
An applicant with a specific conviction or a positive drug screening may not be accepted into the Respiratory Care Program. A positive drug screening or conviction occurring after full admission and matriculation into the program is addressed according to departmental policy and may provide cause for dismissal from the program.
Please see LSSC Catalog and Student Handbook 2023-2024 for Tuition and Fees **
**Please note that Respiratory Care Program fees are currently being evaluated/accessed and will be posted upon Board of Trustees approval.
To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
College Accreditation
Lake-Sumter State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Learn more on our Accreditation page.
Program Accreditation
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.
The annual report of current program results can be viewed at Outcomes data.
Lake-Sumter State College is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Lake-Sumter State College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd Telford, TN 37690 USA
817-283-2835
www.coarc.com
LSSC offers a wide variety of support services to our students.
Please visit the following link to search or browse options:
Lake-Sumter State College does not currently require COVID-19 vaccinations. However, the State of Florida and national accreditation agencies require instruction and skills validation in clinical healthcare settings. The individual clinical facilities set the vaccination rules for their institutions. These clinical facilities set the compliance rules (i.e., immunizations, drug screenings, background checks, etc.) that students must meet to be eligible for instruction at these sites. If a student decides not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or meet other eligibility requirements defined by the clinical facility, they may not be allowed to participate at those sites and may not be able to complete the requirements of the program and obtain the diploma/certification. If there are any questions about these requirements, please speak to the program manager or academic advisor.
In order to participate in the clinical portion of the program, students will be required to meet additional criteria. Healthcare professionals must keep ALL immunizations current. OSHA requires immunization against Hepatitis B for all individuals in a workplace environment where the potential exposure to blood exists. Students admitted to the program must have an immunization record on file and a current TB test before they can enter practicum.
- ANNUAL FLU SHOT: Have documentation of annual flu shot administered during the current flu season. If a student chooses not to have the flu shot, a signed declination/waiver form is required.
- HEPATITIS B: Begin the Hepatitis B series. The vaccine for Hepatitis B is highly recommended. There must be documentation of 3 vaccinations or positive antibody titer (lab report required). If a student chooses not to have the vaccine, a signed declination/waiver form is required.
- TB TEST: Complete a 1 Step TB Skin Test or Chest X-ray. There must be documentation of one of the following: a) negative 1 step test in the past 6 weeks; OR b) negative Quantiferon Gold Blood Test (lab report required) in the past 6 weeks. If either test is positive, a clear chest x-ray (with lab report) is required.
- TETANUS: Provide proof of a Tetanus booster within the past 10 years.
- VARICELLA (CHICKEN POX): Provide documentation of one of the following: a) 2 vaccinations; OR b) positive antibody titer (lab reports required).
- MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA (MMR): Provide documentation of one of the following: a) 2 vaccinations; OR b) positive antibody titers for all 3 components.
- CORONAVIRUS DISEASE SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19): Have documentation of the COVID-19 vaccine. If a student chooses not to have the vaccine, a signed declination/waiver form is required.
The State of Florida requires students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate, pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), Florida Statutes. Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, newly enrolled students must demonstrate competency through completion of a civic literacy course and by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).
Check your DegreeWorks or the Florida Civic Literacy Requirement page for more information.