Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

Portland, OR

Learn to Help Others Breathe Easier

Respiratory therapists (RTs) are unsung heroes of health care, providing support and treatment to patients with acute and long-term breathing problems.

Portland Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science Degree Program Overview

Respiratory Therapists need to understand the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and heart, as well as various disorders and diseases which can affect them. RTs also need to understand therapies and interventions available and what clinical situations call for them. They offer patients a calm, caring professional. 

Concorde's respiratory therapy associate degree program prepares students to:

  • Treat people with asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and other conditions.
  • Upon graduation sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist exams from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
  • Complete your associate degree program in as few as 17 of study.

Now Enrolling for the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program

Think a career as a respiratory therapist could be a breath of fresh air? Contact Concorde in Portland today to find out if our associate degree program is right for you!

  1. **Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

17

Months

13%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033)

76.0

Credit Hours

220

Lab Hours

870

Clinical Hours

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Curriculum

Portland Respiratory Therapy Program Coursework

Our associate degree program teaches a combination of general knowledge, clinical knowledge and practical skills for treating patients with breathing disorders. Students also complete clinical rotations to apply knowledge and skills in real-world care settings.  All in as few as 17-months.

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • General Psychology
  • Introduction to Applied Respiratory Therapeutics
  • Clinical Medicine

 

220

Lab Hours

Practice On-Campus

Students will complete on-campus labs including simulations and patient care settings. 

870

Clinical Hours

Real-World Application

Taking what you've learned in the classroom and practiced in a lab will culminate with real-world application through clinical rotation(s).

Respiratory Therapy Program Overview

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).

Concorde's respiratory therapist programs emphasize the following:

  • Oxygen therapy
  • Bronchodilator
  • Chest physiotherapy
  • Patient teaching and instruction
  • ECG

The clinical experience provides Concorde graduates with a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a respiratory therapist.

Concorde's Student Learning outcomes are available on the CoARC website at the link below.
Student Learning Outcome Data

Respiratory Therapy Program Delivered Through Blended Learning

Concorde's approach to delivering a career focused respiratory therapy program leverages a blended learning model.

  1. You will complete some coursework and lab assignments conveniently online.
    • With support from a dedicated online success coach to help you get accustomed to virtual learning.
  2. Additionally you will visit the campus to apply theory to practice in simulation labs.
    • With guidance from instructors with real-world experience you will learn to use the tools and instruments, as well interpret scan results. 
  3. The third element of Concorde's blended learning model is practical hands-on application in a health care setting. - the Clinical Experience.
    • Your clinical experience provides  a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a respiratory care practitioner - respiratory therapist.

Respiratory Therapy Licensure & Certification

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). If you meet the RRT score on the TMC, you'll then be eligible to sit for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) of the NBRC.

National Board for Respiratory Care

Achieving the minimum acceptable score on the TMC will result in receiving the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. To receive the RRT credential, you must pass the TMC, at the RRT level, and the CSE exams.

The cost for your certification exam as well as pre-certification exam prep coursework is covered by Concorde.

Tuition fee for the program of study includes the cost for an eligible graduate's first attempt to sit for professional certification.

Concorde expects all students to complete pre-certification exam prep training through the campus resources at no additional cost to the student.

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

Career Outlook

Respiratory Therapists Continue to be in Demand

Respiratory Therapist jobs are projected to grow nationally at a much-faster-than-average rate.

The spread of respiratory infections caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is one factor driving national employment demand projections. Pre-pandemic the field was forecasted to grow based upon the increasing middle-age and elderly populations where increases in respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia can increase the need for respiratory care. 

13%

Projected national job demand for Respiratory Therapists from 2023-2033 

Where do Respiratory Therapists Work

  • Hospitals and clinical environments
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Pulmonary physicians’ offices and clinics
  • Home care companies
  • Rehabilitation hospitals

What are possible career paths for a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory Therapy (RT) Infographic

Address and Hours

Portland Campus

1425 NE Irving St.
Portland, Oregon 97232

PH: (971) 229-4551
FX: (503) 281-6739

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 8 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
Schedule A Tour

Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

Healthcare Demand Grant

Grants

Healthcare Demand Grant

Scholarship

Accreditation

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation. Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.

COARC: Accredited

The Respiratory Therapy program (#200563) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; https://www.coarc.com.

COARC logo

FAQ

Respiratory Therapy Program FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers.

10 Questions

At Concorde Career College, you could finish schooling in as few as 17 months or less than 2 years. Contact us to find out when the Respiratory Therapy Program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected national respiratory therapist job field from 2022 to 2032 is expected to grow by 13%. As the healthcare industry grows to meet the needs of those affected by respiratory illness including COVID, as well as chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.

**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Become a respiratory therapist to work with other medical practitioners to save lives every day. There are many illnesses that cause breathing problems, and respiratory therapists play an essential role in regulating patients' breathing while undergoing treatment. Enjoy a rewarding opportunity to positively affect people's lives.
Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.
For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

The respiratory therapy program can be completed in as few as 17 months, but this varies by location. Please check with an admissions adviser for program length information.

Contact Concorde Career College to find out when the Respiratory Therapy program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2022 to 2032 the projected national respiratory therapist job field is expected to grow by 13%. As the healthcare industry grows to meet the needs of those affected by COVID, as well as with chronic conditions like bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.

**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.
For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

You may also be interested in the following programs

Medical Assistant

Practical Nursing

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.