Greenville Technical College’s Respiratory Care program was recently recognized with a 2020 Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The award is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement. This is the fifth year the GTC program has received this distinction.
Programs receiving this recognition were required to meet criteria based on key accreditation metrics, including (1) have three or more years of outcomes data, (2) hold accreditation without a progress report, (3) document RRT credentialing success of 90% or above, and (4) meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success and retention.
Respiratory Care specializes in deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) system. Respiratory therapists work with sophisticated medical equipment and groundbreaking technology in the care and treatment of virtually every patient population, from the elderly to neonatal.
The Respiratory Care program at GTC gives students a combination of hands-on technical experience and a solid understanding of respiratory conditions and how they are treated. Clinical rotations give students exposure to patient care and experience in performing respiratory care procedures to prepare them for this crucial part of the health care team.
Students graduating from the Respiratory Care program are eligible to take the entry-level practitioner credentialing examinations offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Graduates must take and pass Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) with the high cut score. After successful completion with the high cut score of the TMC Examination, graduates are eligible to attempt the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Upon successful completion of the CSE Examination, graduates are awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapists credential.
The past 10 years, Greenville Tech graduates have exceeded a 90% pass rate on the TMC exam, with many years showing a 100% pass rate, shared Lisa Conry, department head of Respiratory Care. In 2019, GTC graduates had a pass rate of 100% on the CSE exam.
“Our program has been historically very strong, and we have very high standards and strive for excellence," said Conry. “Our students excel in their chosen profession because they meet and exceed our standards."
To learn more about the Respiratory Care program, visit www.gvltec.edu/respiratorycare/.