The Johnson County Community College Respiratory Care program is in alignment with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) CIP code 51.0908: Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist. This program prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to assist in developing respiratory care plans, administer respiratory care procedures, supervise personnel and equipment operation, maintain records, and consult with other health care team members. This program includes instruction in the applied basic biomedical sciences; anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the respiratory system; clinical medicine; therapeutic procedures; clinical expressions; data collection and record-keeping; patient communication; equipment operation and maintenance; personnel supervision; and procedures for special population groups.

The respiratory therapist is involved in a variety of lifesaving and life-supporting situations. Respiratory therapists treat patients ranging in age from newborns to senior citizens in the prevention, treatment, management and rehabilitation of lung problems. Employment is typically in hospitals, but is available in several other health delivery venues. The health care needs of an aging population will play a role in the future of respiratory care.

JCCC’s associate of applied science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC www.coarc.com). Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care examination to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.

This is a selective admission program with limited enrollment. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the program website or contact JCCC program personnel for additional information and application materials at (913) 469-2583.

Students must “pass” all clinical courses and maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all non-clinical courses to remain in the program.

(Major Code 237A; CIP Code 51.0908)

Respiratory Care Program web page

Program Learning Outcomes

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is committed to offering high-quality affordable programs that focus on developing knowledge and skills conducive to life-long learning. Both the General Education Student Learning Outcomes and Institutional Learning Outcomes convey JCCC's approach to programmatic outcomes. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Respiratory Care, AAS from JCCC will be able to:

  • Perform all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required of a Registered Respiratory Therapist in a broad variety of practice settings (i.e., inpatient care, outpatient care, and home care). 
  • Exhibit adequate critical thinking skills and be competent in the application of problem-solving strategies in the patient care setting. 
  • Function proficiently within inter-professional teams. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to collect, comprehend, apply, evaluate, and communicate information in the clinical setting.  
  • Communicate effectively with diverse populations.  
  • Demonstrate ethical decision-making skills and an understanding of professional responsibility. 
  • Implement patient safety and infection control protocols for patient care and equipment processing. 
  • Apply the skills necessary to assemble, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform quality control of specific respiratory therapy devices.