Respiratory Therapy

Help people recover from heart and lung problems through Gateway’s Respiratory Therapy associate degree program. You’ll learn how to provide care like analyzing lung function, running the equipment to help patients breathe and more. Upon graduation, you’ll work in a field with competitive salaries that will make you feel good about your newfound career every single day. Gateway Technical College is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Gateway Technical College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.

Gain hands-on experience learning how to care for patients, monitor changes in their condition and change treatments to ensure the best health outcomes.
Learn with expert faculty in state-of-the-art labs on the Kenosha Campus.
Build your network through student clubs like Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), where you can attend state- and national-level conventions and competitions.
Prepare for licensure, take your national exam and begin working shortly after graduation.
Secure your career in a quickly growing field with great pay.

Program Credits

LOCATION

Kenosha Campus

Financial Aid Eligible

Yes

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST

Tuition & Fees: N/A
Books and Supplies: N/A

Start Dates

Summer

Salary Outlook

$74,214

Career Opportunities:

Certified Respiratory Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist

Curriculum Sheet:

10-515-1 Respiratory Therapy Full-Time 2025-2026 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Course Number: 801-136Credits: 3.00

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Course Number: 890-155Credits: 1.00

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

Course Number: 806-177Credits: 4.00

This course examines the basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision making and professional communication with colleagues and patients.

Course Number: 809-188Credits: 3.00

Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

Course Number: 801-198Credits: 3.00

This course explores the fundamentals of effective oral presentation to small and large groups. Topic selection, audience analysis, methods of organization, research, structuring evidence and support, delivery techniques, and other essential elements of speaking successfully, including the listening process, form the basis of the course.

Course Number: 806-179Credits: 4.00

Advanced Anatomy and Physiology is the second semester in a two semester sequence in which normal human anatomy and physiology are studied, using a body systems approach, with emphasis on the interrelationships between form and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization. Instruction is delivered both within a classroom and in a laboratory setting. Experimentation within a science lab includes analysis of cellular metabolism and the individual components of body systems, such as the nervous, neuro-muscular, cardiovascular, and urinary systems. Students examine homeostatic mechanisms and their relationship to fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and blood. Integration of genetics to human reproduction and development are also included in this course.

Course Number: 515-112Credits: 2.00

Provides a comprehensive exploration of airway management concepts and skills. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-111Credits: 3.00

Examines the role of the Respiratory Therapist within the healthcare community. Reviews the ethical, legal, and regulatory principles that guide practice across diverse populations. Introductory patient assessment and critical thinking processes used in the development of respiratory care plans are explored. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-171Credits: 3.00

Introduces the topics of medical gas administration and humidity and aerosol therapy. The student will apply physics, math and patient assessment concepts to oxygen, aerosol and humidity therapy. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-175Credits: 2.00

Introduces Respiratory Therapy practice in the hospital setting. Includes the development of skills such as basic therapeutics, patient assessment, medical record review, safety practices, patient interaction, and communication. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical students must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 5 (required and/or simulated) competencies. The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this clinical.

Course Number: 515-173Credits: 3.00

Examines basic pharmacology principles, drug dosage, and calculations. Medications for inhalation including mucolytics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatories. Also includes cardiac drugs, anesthetic drugs, neuromuscular blockers, and antimicrobials. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-172Credits: 3.00

Introduces therapeutic procedures including arterial puncture, bronchial hygiene, lung expansion therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-174Credits: 3.00

Provides the student with an in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of the respiratory and circulatory systems necessary to function as a competent Respiratory Therapist. Emphasis is placed on the promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-178Credits: 3.00

Continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical students must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 12 (required and/or simulated) competencies (cumulative through all clinical courses). The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this clinical.

Course Number: 515-179Credits: 3.00

Continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical students must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 19 (required and/or simulated) competencies (cumulative through all clinical courses). The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this clinical.

Course Number: 515-176Credits: 3.00

Exploration of signs, symptoms, causes, progression, and treatment of diseases or disorders of the body that affect the respiratory cardiopulmonary system. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-113Credits: 3.00

Focuses on the management of adult ventilatory support. Emphasis is placed on the promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-181Credits: 3.00

Focuses on advanced invasive and noninvasive diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures including pulmonary function, hemodynamics and rescue medicine. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 515-182Credits: 3.00

Continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical students must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 26 (required and/or simulated) competencies (cumulative through all clinical courses). The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this clinical.

Course Number: 515-183Credits: 3.00

Focuses on the completion of respiratory therapy competencies and transition to employment. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical students must demonstrate competence in all of the required and required/simulated) competencies. The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this clinical.

Course Number: 515-180Credits: 2.00

Provides a comprehensive orientation to the field of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care to include fetal development, birth, neonatal physiology, pulmonary dynamics, abnormal cardiopulmonary conditions, diseases, noninvasive and invasive therapeutic interventions. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.

Course Number: 809-196Credits: 3.00

This course examines interpersonal relationships of humans and groups and the consequent structure of society. It details the various social processes and concepts which shape human behavior, analyzing such phenomena as organizations, deviance, race and ethnic relations, population, urbanization, social change, and social movements. Religion, education, and the family are studied.

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Applications for the Respiratory Therapy program will be open in the coming months once accreditation is granted. Please check back for admissions details.

For more information about the program contact:

Heather Holbrook, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS
Director/Instructor, Respiratory Therapy
holbrookh@gtc.edu

Gateway Technical College is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Gateway Technical College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.

Program Mission and Vision:

This program prepares learners to apply for licensure as a Respiratory Therapist, after passing the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentials. This program is designed to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor(skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). It is the desire of the program faculty to continue to develop a Respiratory Care Program whose graduates and faculty enjoy a reputation of excellence.

Program Courses

English Composition 1

Gateway to Success

General Anatomy and Physiology

Psychology, Developmental

Speech

Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced

Respiratory Airway Management

Respiratory Survey

Respiratory Therapeutics 1

Respiratory Clinical 1

Respiratory Pharmacology

Respiratory Therapeutics 2

Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology

Respiratory Clinical 2

Respiratory Clinical 3

Respiratory Disease

Respiratory Life Support

Respiratory and Cardio Diagnostics

Respiratory Clinical 4

Respiratory Clinical 5

Respiratory Neonatal and Pediatric Care

Sociology, Introduction to

Admissions Requirements

Accreditation

Affiliations & Accreditation