The Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to become qualified members of the respiratory care profession. Throughout the program, students are provided with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to evaluate, treat, and manage patients with respiratory diseases and other cardiopulmonary disorders. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, students gain skills in clinical decision-making and patient education. Students are guided in the development of the ethical practice necessary to enter the allied health workforce.

The goal of the Respiratory Therapy program at KVCC is 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).

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
Program #200417
817-283-2835
www.coarc.com

 

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

The Respiratory Therapy Program has specific admissions requirements.  Please refer to the following link for additional information:

Check Your Prerequisites – KVCC (me.edu)

Criminal Background Check

Applicants to certain programs should be aware that a criminal background check will be required while they are enrolled in the program or as a condition of employment in the field. Certain internship and/or practicum sites, such as health care facilities, may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or current criminal record; and certain licensing boards may refuse to issue a license to practice based upon prior or current criminal offense(s). To learn more about whether the program or profession in which you are interested has such requirements or limitations, please see the Department Chair or Program Director.

Exposure to Infectious Disease & Latex

Applicants who consider a career in phlebotomy or any other of the allied health professions should be aware that during the course of their education and subsequent employment, they will be working in situations where exposure to infectious diseases is probable. This is an occupational risk for all health care workers. Persons should not become health care workers unless they recognize and accept this risk. Proper education and strict adherence to well-established infection control guidelines, however, can reduce the risk to a minimum. Thorough education in infection control procedures is an integral part of each health care program.

Additionally, applicants should be aware that exposure to natural rubber latex (NRL) is possible. Individuals exposed to NRL products may develop allergic reactions such as skin rashes; hives; nasal, eyes, or sinus symptoms; and, rarely, shock.

Program Information

Educational Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Respiratory
Therapy program, the graduate is expected to:

  1. Be prepared and competent to provide
    respiratory care services within his/her scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate professional behaviors that allow him/her to function ethically and responsibly by showing tolerance and respect for diversity of culture, age, and gender.
  3. Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and other members of the health care community.
  4. Be capable of critical thinking and problem solving within his/her scope of professional practice.
  5. Participate in activities that foster  professional growth as lifelong learners.

Program Outcome Data

Program Outcome Data:

Program outcome data is provided by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC), and can be accessed via this link (select Ctrl + F to search for Kennebec Valley once the PDF document loads).

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.”

Contact

For more information, please contact:

 Enrollment Services
 (207)453-5822
 Enrollment@kvcc.me.edu

Program Faculty

Danielle Schryver, Program Director
(207) 453-5175
dschryver@kvcc.me.edu

Hannah Leadbetter, Director of Clinical Education
(207) 453-5006

Additional Resouces

Links to RT Boards & Associations

Below are links to boards, associations and other bodies that help define our program and industry, in the State of Maine and beyond.