Respiratory Care Information: Bachelor of Science

About the degree

Loma Linda University offers higher education in the field of Respiratory Care.

Respiratory care practitioners or respiratory therapists are a vital part of the medical team and provide temporary relief to patients with chronic lung conditions or emphysema and also provide emergency care for patients who have suffered heart failure or a stroke, or are victims of drowning or shock.

Therapists also manage breathing machines called ventilators, which deliver pressurized oxygen into the lungs of patients who cannot breathe for themselves. They commonly work with oxygen mixtures and aerosol medications to help patients. They also are involved with prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and education of problems effecting the heart and lungs.

More Respiratory Care profession information
Classroom photos

Faculty

Our bachelor of science degree respiratory care faculty members have advanced degrees in education and the sciences and are the leaders in their areas of specialty. Most of our faculty members have written chapters and/or authored textbooks in respiratory care.

Accreditation Information

The bachelor of science program in Respiratory Care at Loma Linda University meets the "Essentials" and "Guidelines" for accredited programs for the respiratory therapist as set by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Our program accreditation is granted through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), of which CoARC is their accrediting authority to evaluate respiratory programs.

Our program also meets the educational requirements set by the Respiratory Care Board (RCB) of California. The RCB is the licensing authority for respiratory care practitioners in the State of California.

Saudi Arabia Program Accreditation Information

The Loma Linda University Saudi Campus offers a BS Degree in Respiratory Care and a Baccalaureate Certificate in Respiratory Care in compliance with the university catalog.  The respiratory care program in Saudi Arabia is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs  (CAAHEP) and graduates are eligible to sit for the entry level (CRT) and advanced respiratory care practitioner (RRT) exams of the  National Board for Respiratory Care.  

The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc. (NBRC), provides nationally recognized credentialing examinations for graduates of accredited respiratory care programs. Those who successfully complete the entry-level examination receive the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) credential. Advanced practitioner examinations are required for the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential, neonatal-pediatric specialist certification (NPS), and certified (CPFT) and registered (RPFT) pulmonary function technologist. NBRC inquiries can be made to 18000 W. 105th Street, Olathe, KS 66061, telephone 913/895-4900; FAX 913/895-4650; or Web site http://www.nbrc.org.

Respiratory care program accreditation is provided by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).  For further information, contact the Director, Saudi Campus:  
Dr. Richard Nelson, PO Box 94788, Riyadh, 11614   Saudi Arabia
or e-mail us at:  askalliedhealth@llu.edu

To apply, go to http://www.llu.edu/central/apply/index.page, and during the application process, select:
"Respiratory Care (entry level), BS, off-campus (Saudi Arabia)
 or "Respiratory Care, Cert, off-campus (Saudi Arabia)

Our program provides:

• Scholarships to our students and assistance with pursuing student financial aid to help fund your respiratory care education.
• Professional skills necessary for rapid advancement in respiratory management, education, or as a clinician.
• Advanced knowledge and clinical skills to meet the demands requested of respiratory care practitioners.
• Development of communication skills as a member of the interdisciplinary health-care team, in patient education and in community health and wellness.
• A strong foundation for graduate work in medicine, dentistry, our master's physician assistant program, and other programs in health, science, education, or management.
• Knowledge necessary for success in licensure and obtaining the respiratory credentials offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate should be qualified to:

1. Is eligible to sit for a national board exam
2. Review, collect, and recommend obtaining additional clinical data, evaluate all data to determine the appropriateness of the prescribed respiratory care, and participate in the development of the respiratory care plan.
3. Select, assemble, and check all equipment used in providing respiratory care, recognize malfunction of such equipment, and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
4. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures to achieve one or more specific objectives: (a) provide and maintain a patent airway, adequate ventilation and tissue oxygenation, (b) initiate procedures, explaining therapy and goals to the patient, (c) initiate emergency cardiopulmonary procedures, and (d) document therapeutic procedures.
5. Maintain patient records and communicate relevant information to members of the health-care team.
6. Assist the physician in the performance of special procedures in the clinical laboratory or operating room.
7. Assure cleanliness and sterility by the use of appropriate disinfecting techniques; monitor effectiveness of techniques.

Prerequisites/requirements

Prospective students must complete all required general education requirements before they are eligible for admission into our program. You may have courses in progress when you apply but they must be successfully completed by the program start date.

Prerequisite List  (PDF)

University Catalog

Contact Us

To set up an advising appointment or to ask questions regarding respiratory care, email our office at cps.sahp@llu.edu or call (909) 558-4932.

Loma Linda University
Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences
Nichol Hall Room 1926
Loma Linda CA 92350