Respiratory Care Information: Bachelor of Science

About the degree

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

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) recently completed a three year study to determine new roles and responsibilities of Respiratory Therapists in the year 2015 and beyond.  Their study identified "dramatic change" in the healthcare system to improve health while decreasing costs, application of evidence-based care in prevention and management of disease, required competencies for safe and effective delivery of care, and the need for transition to a baccalaureate degree as a minimum entry level for respiratory care practice.

Loma Linda University took a proactive role, transitioning from an Associate Degree to a Baccalaureate Degree in Respiratory Care in the year 2000.   It is our quest to provide more knowledgable and capable Respiratory Care Practitioners to meet future demands made of them in the health care system.   They are effective communicators, compassionate caregivers, provide leadership roles in patient education, wellness intervention, and development of respiratory care protocols and plans.   Our program will provide you with the education and clinical experience to meet respiratory care roles and responsibilities for 2015 and beyond.

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.

Program Accreditation

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. 
2011 Programmatic Outcomes Data provided by CoARC

Saudi Arabia Program Accreditation Information

The Loma Linda University Saudi Campus offers a BS Degree in Respiratory Care and a Baccalaureate Certificate for 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 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, our graduates

1. Are eligible to sit for the national board examinations.
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 learncardio@llu.edu or call (909) 558-4932.

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