Respiratory Therapist Program earns CoARC Distinguished RRT Credential

For the third consecutive year, the HFC's Respiratory Therapist (RT) program has earned the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award.

This award recognizes accredited RT programs across the nation that have met or exceeded all established program outcome thresholds and have more than 90 percent of their graduates earning the RRT credential.

Of 441 nationally accredited programs, HFC was one of 49 programs receiving the Distinguished Credentialing Success Award again in 2014. Only 19 educational institutions – including HFC – of the 441 nationally accredited programs have won this award for three consecutive years.

Established in 1980, the HFC RT program prepares students as entry-level respiratory therapists. Graduates of this program receive an associate degree in Applied Science and are eligible to apply for the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) examination, which leads to the RRT national credential and state licensure as an RT.

The HFC RT program has a 70 percent retention rate. In addition, the program enjoys a 100 percent job placement rate for all graduates seeking employment, as well a 100 percent pass rate on the entry level certification exam used for state licensure.

Recently, HFC purchased new equipment for the RT laboratory, including new life support equipment such as the Drager V500 and Respironics V60 mechanical ventilators. During the laboratory portion of the program, students also utilize a digitally controlled human breathing simulator called the ASL 5000, which is a state-of-the-art equipment resource that simulates real life respiratory care scenarios from neonatal to adult patients. This is used to help prepare students for their clinical rotations.

“I am very proud of our program graduates and their success. Our students work very hard and are rewarded with a respected, professional career in this field. I would also like to praise the efforts of all our faculty, clinical instructors and clinical affiliates for their dedication and support. It is a great honor to be recognized as a premiere program in the United States for three straight years,” said Debra Szymanski, department chair of Health Careers and program director of the RT program at HFC.

For more information about the HFC RT program, contact Debra Szymanski at 313-317-6580 or dszyman@hfcc.edu.