Southeastern Community College

Curriculum Sequence

BIO-186 - Microbiology

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

A study of microbial populations and their relationships to the human in health and diseases. 

CHM-122 - Introduction to General Chemistry

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

This introductory course is intended for non-science majors or for science majors who need a background in chemistry before taking College Chemistry I. Topics covered include properties of matter, measurements, atomic structure, chemical bonding and stoichiometry. Prerequisite: One year of high school algebra or MAT-062.

HSC-114 - Medical Terminology

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This course is designed to study the basic language related to medical science with emphasis on word analysis, construction, definitions, pronunciations, spelling and standard abbreviations.

BIO-163 - Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

This introductory course is designed for the student needing a one-semester combined anatomy and physiology course with laboratory. All systems will be covered with greater emphasis on the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and urinary systems. This course also provides background for the more advanced courses BIO-168 and BIO-173.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

RCP-231 - Introduction to Respiratory Care

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

An introduction to the respiratory care profession. Topics include respiratory care and the healthcare system; the economics of healthcare, communication, documentation, evidence –based practice; and the ethical and legal implications of practice. Students will also be introduced to entry level modalities such as oxygen and aerosol therapy. This is a companion course to RCP-232 where competencies for this course will be practiced and evaluated in the laboratory or simulation center setting prior to hands-on clinical practice with adult patients in a hospital setting. Prerequisite: Admission into the Program. Corequisites: RCP-232 and RCP-233.

RCP-232 - Respiratory Care Modalities

Lecture: 0

Lab: 3

Credit: 1.5

This course allows the entry level respiratory care student an opportunity to practice procedures using equipment in the respiratory care lab and simulation center. This is a companion course to RCP-231 and RCP-233, in which competencies related to recall, application and analysis using respiratory equipment are practiced and tested prior to patient care. Prerequisite: Admission to the Program. Corequisites: RCP-231 and RCP-233.

RCP-233 - Introduction to Clinical Practice

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course focuses on the interaction between patients and the respiratory therapist for the purpose of providing healthcare service(s) or assessing the health status of a patient. Subjects included in this course are infection control, informatics, preparation for patient encounter, taking a medical history, performing a patient interview, cardiopulmonary symptoms, vital signs, physical examination of the chest, evaluation of breath sounds, review and analysis of laboratory studies and interpretation of ABGs. This is a companion course to RCP-232, where competencies for this course will be practiced and evaluated in the laboratory or simulation center setting prior to hands-on clinical practice with adult patients in a hospital setting. Prerequisite: Admission to the Program. Corequisites: RCP-231 and RCP-232.

RCP-331 - Respiratory Care II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is a continuation of Introduction to Respiratory Care and will build on the equipment and therapeutic modalities essential to clinical practice. Major topics include airway management and airway clearance techniques, respiratory mechanics and control of breathing, arterial blood gases and methods of non-invasive ventilation. Prerequisites: RCP-231, RCP-232 and RCP-233. Corequisites: RCP-332, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751.

RCP-332 - Respiratory Care Modalities II

Lecture: 0

Lab: 2

Credit: 1

This course allows respiratory care students an opportunity to practice procedures using equipment in the respiratory lab and simulation center. The primary focus of this skills lab course is the practice and preparation for required Competency Evaluations for Respiratory Care II. Prerequisites: RCP-231, RCP-232 and RCP-233. Corequisites: RCP-331, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751.

RCP-333 - Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

Introduces general pharmacological principles and management relative to the cardiopulmonary system. Includes management and treatment of specific cardiopulmonary disorders and drugs used in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Prerequisites: RCP-231, RCP-232 and RCP-233. Corequisites: RCP-332, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751.

RCP-350 - Pulmonary Pathology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course presents an overview of acute and chronic diseases affecting the pulmonary system. Diagnosis, assessment, treatment and management of the disease will be discussed. Prerequisites: RCP-231, RCP-232 and RCP-233. Corequisites: RCP-331, RCP-332, RCP-333 and RCP-751.

RCP-751 - Respiratory Care Clinic I

Lecture: 0

Clinical: 15

Credit: 5

Learners are assigned to various clinical experiences within the hospital and homecare settings in order to apply principles and skills learned in RCP-331, RCP-332, and RCP-333. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of RCP-231, RCP-232 and RCP-233. Must be currently enrolled in or have satisfactorily passed RCP-331, RCP-332, RCP-333 and RCP-350.

SPC-101 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Explores communication in a variety of contexts including interpersonal relationships, the workplace, small groups and public speaking. Emphasis on the application and practice of communication theories and skills, particularly public speaking.

PSY-111 - Introduction to Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A basic course in the understanding of behavior, designed to give the student a scientific background in the fundamental problems and techniques covered in the field of psychology.

RCP-480 - Advanced Cardiac Care

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 2.5

This course provides theory and laboratory practice in managing specific live-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Includes a review of basic life support, use of mechanical aids to establish an airway and maintain ventilation, ECG monitoring and recognition of life-threatening dysrhythmias, cardiac defibrillation and initiating appropriate cardiac drug therapy. Prerequisites: RCP-331, RCP-332, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751. Corequisites: RCP-524 and RCP-755.

RCP-524 - Respiratory Care III

Lecture: 4.5

Lab: 1

Credit: 5

This course introduces the concepts of mechanical ventilation used in the respiratory support of the critically ill patient, with emphasis on indications for ventilation, parameters monitored during ventilation, function and clinical applications. Prerequisites: RCP-331, RCP-332, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751. Corequisite: RCP-755.

RCP-755 - Respiratory Care Clinic II

Lecture: 0

Clinical: 4

Credit: 1

Learners are assigned to various clinical experiences within a health care setting to apply principles learned in the respiratory curriculum. Prerequisites: RCP-331, RCP-332, RCP-333, RCP-350 and RCP-751. Corequisites: RCP-524 and RCP-480.

RCP-440 - Cardio/Pulmonary Diagnostics

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

This course will present various cardiopulmonary diagnostic tests and the role of the respiratory care practitioner. Contents included: pulmonary function testing, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, specialized test regimens and quality assurance in the pulmonary function laboratory. Prerequisites: RCP-350, RCP-524 and RCP-755. Corequisites: RCP-450, RCP-620 and RCP-761.

RCP-450 - Respiratory Care IV

Lecture: 2.5

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course will focus on advanced equipment and therapeutic modalities used in the practice of Respiratory Care. Major topics include ECGs, hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac pharmacology, polysomnography and pulmonary rehabilitation. Prerequisite: RCP-524. Corequisites: RCP-440 and RCP-620.

RCP-620 - Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care

Lecture: 4

Lab: 2

Credit: 5

This course will cover the assessment of the newborn and pediatric patient. Fetal circulation, congenital anomalies, respiratory disorders of the newborn, ventilation of the newborn, surfactant replacement, oxygen and aerosol therapy of the newborn and pediatric patient, as well as child development will be discussed. Prerequisites: RCP-524 and RCP-755. Corequisites: RCP-440, RCP-450 and RCP-761.

RCP-761 - Respiratory Care Clinic III

Lecture: 0

Clinical: 15

Credit: 5

Learners are assigned to various clinical experiences within a hospital and homecare setting to apply principles learned in the respiratory curriculum. Prerequisites: RCP-524 and RCP-755. Corequisites: RCP-440, RCP-450 and RCP-620.

RCP-767 - Respiratory Care Clinic IV

Lecture: 0

Clinical: 24

Credit: 8

Learners are assigned to various clinical experiences within a health care setting to apply principles learned in the respiratory curriculum. Prerequisites: RCP-440, RCP-450 RCP-620 and RCP-761. Corequisites: RCP-910 and RCP-810.

RCP-810 - Respiratory Care Professional

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

The purpose of this course is to assist second year respiratory care students in preparing for autonomous professional practice. The role of the professional: duties to client, employer and public; professional responsibilities; involvement in continuing education and professional career development will be explores. Prerequisites: RCP-440, RCP-450, RCP-620 and RCP-761. Corequisites: RCP-766 and RCP-880.

RCP-910 - Respiratory Care RRT Review

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

This course is designed to test the student's ability to successfully earn passing scores on advanced-level examinations. Although advanced-level examinations will be the focus of this course, review of entry-level examination concepts will also be provided. Mock board examinations will be administered after completion of a comprehensive review seminar. Prerequisites: RCP-440, RCP-450, RCP-620 and RCP-761. Corequisites: RCP-810 and RCP-767.