DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOPULMONARY SCIENCE
RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM
Completion of LSUHSC-NO's CoARC-accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) examination to qualify for the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Students who achieve the high cut score on the TMC examination are eligible to apply for the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) to qualify for the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for NBRC credentialing examinations or attain state licensure.
According to the federal requirement of the Department of Education, Section 668.43(a)(5)(v), the Department of Cardiopulmonary Science Respiratory Therapy Program's curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in all states in the United States (U.S.), except Alaska. Licensure requirements in Alaska have not been determined because licensure is not currently regulated. Click on the link Respiratory Care Practice Laws by State to find information on respiratory care practice laws for the state in which you intend to be licensed.
Visit the American Association for Respiratory Care “Be An RT” website by clicking on the video icon below. You will hear from respiratory therapists (RTs) working in the profession about what a day in the life of an RT might include and why it's a great career path!, along with descriptions of what RTs do, where RTs work, and the specialized areas of care that RTs are trained.
WHAT IS RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Medication Administration
- Respiratory Therapist (RTs) are licensed health care professionals who specialize in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health.
- RTs participate in clinical decision-making and are focused on the prevention, assessment, treatment, management, control, diagnostic, evaluation, education, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of cardiopulmonary system.
- RTs are critical thinkers involved in the development and implementation of effective care plans and protocols.
- RTs are a vital part of a hospital's lifesaving response team.
