The Respiratory Care Program’s mission is to prepare competent Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) who demonstrate the ability to apply relevant theory with the necessary psychomotor skills and behavior consistent with effective Respiratory Care delivery.
Employer and graduate survey data indicates that both are highly satisfied with the entry and advanced levels of preparation provided by the program. The program retains an average of 90% of students who begin the program.
Muskegon Community College provides a 28-month program that prepares advanced practitioners who earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS). This program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, or CoARC (www.coarc.com). The outcomes data for the MCC program (#200329), can be reached by accessing the following webpage: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/. The outcomes data for the Munson Medical Center Program (program #300016) can be reached by accessing the following webpage: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/.
Class size is limited to 30 students and courses are sequenced beginning in September of each year. Any course that is not a respiratory care course may be taken prior to entry and is highly recommended. Enrollment in the program is based on the student meeting the following criteria: overall GPA of 2.0 and proficiency testing in algebra and English. However, students that have the non-RT courses completed prior to entry will be given preference over those students that only have the minimum requirements completed.
Historically, Respiratory Care Practitioners have been well-established members of the health care team. RCPs work in a fast-paced environment where technical and scientific responsibilities are matched by a real need for human relations skills. They are involved in a wide range of life-supporting and life-saving activities. RCPs provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment to patients suffering from heart and lung disorders. They administer life-supporting treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and inhaled drug therapy, and mechanical ventilation in the adult, pediatric and newborn intensive care units. If you enjoy science and helping people, this could be your career!
Job opportunities are growing and expanding dramatically in Respiratory Care. The hospital is the primary workplace for Respiratory Care Practitioners but increasing numbers are being employed in the growing area of home heath care. Additionally, employment opportunities can be found in outpatient and rehabilitative clinics, education, research, medical equipment manufacturing and sales. Graduates from this program are being hired predominantly in the Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Traverse City areas but are able to rapidly find employment through a variety of national classified ad publications. Salaries for graduate RCPs are also very good with national median income reported at $59,000 (US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020). They also predict growth in Respiratory Therapy to be “faster than average” (increase of 23% or more) until the year 2026. Click here for the Job Outlook.
Respiratory Therapy Program Application
The Muskegon Community College Respiratory Therapy Program, 221 S. Quarterline Road Muskegon, MI 49442, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
