School of health services
Respiratory Therapy
The Respiratory Therapy Program at Catawba Valley Community College was established in 1991. This program offers career education for individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist. The respiratory therapist is qualified to assume primary responsibility for respiratory and cardiac care, including the supervision of technicians. The therapist makes patient care decisions concerning the use of life-support systems, oxygen therapy and other breathing treatments. They also perform heart and lung studies. Upon graduation from the therapist program, the student receives the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree.
Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program are eligible to apply for admission to take the entry-level 
examination from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Upon successful completion of entry-level examination, students may then sit for the Advanced Practitioner Examinations.
Employment settings for graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, education, industry, and home care.
The department is housed in the Paap Building and departmental facilities include a classroom, laboratory, and a computer center. Maximum student enrollment per year is 15.
The respiratory therapy program is designed to be completed in 5 semesters although many students choose to extend their course work over a longer span of time. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
