If you are considering respiratory care as a career, then JCCC is the place to start. Within two years, it is possible to be a Registry Eligible Respiratory Care Practitioner, filling the need in the Kansas City area or elsewhere.

Our graduates demonstrate National Board pass rates well above the national average and near 100 percent job placement. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

JCCC offers an associate of applied science degree in respiratory care. The 71-to-73-credit-hour curriculum is divided into two phases. During the first phase, you work on the four different sciences, English, math, and specified general education electives that are listed in the "prerequisite year" of the curriculum. In the second phase you begin the "clinic year" of the curriculum and complete all of the related respiratory care class, lab and clinical activities.

Upon successful completion of the program degree requirements, graduates must take the National Board for Respiratory Care entry-level examination to earn the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) credential. Graduates are then are eligible to attempt the NBRC advanced-level examinations (written registry and clinical simulation) that will earn them the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential.

For more information about the respiratory care program at JCCC, contact 913-469-2583, or portmann@jccc.edu.