Contact Information:
Douglas Neubert Program Director (307) 268-2544 HS 113

• Are you interested in a career in the ever growing field of healthcare?
• Are you interested in a profession where there is a lot of variety in the job?
• Do you like working with state-of-the-art technology?
• Are you looking for a career with multiple opportunities for advancement?

If any of these match your goals then a career in Respiratory Therapy may be for you!

Casper College has the only Respiratory Therapy program in the state of Wyoming.

Our program is nationally accredited through CAAHEP.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2009-10 school year.
The deadline to apply was Monday, April 6th.
Click here for a checklist of what to do before you can apply to the program.
Click here for an application to the Respiratory Therapy program.
Click here for the observation form.

Please return your application packet to Saunders Health Science building room 202 or mail to:

Respiratory Therapy Program Casper College 125 College Drive Casper, WY 82601

To learn more about the program, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section.

• Ronnette Hand
  • phone: (307) 268-2470
  • Office: HS 117
  • Weblink

• Douglas Neubert
  • phone: (307) 268-2544
  • Office: HS 113
  • Weblink

• Associate of Science degree
  • Respiratory Therapy

RESP 1500 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy (3L,3CR):
Historical, governmental, and association overview of respiratory therapy and an introduction to respiratory pathology. Prerequisite: admission into the Respiratory Therapy program and BLS certification. (First year summer semester.)

RESP 1505 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology (2L,2CR):
This course will cover the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary systems. Prerequisite: admission into the respiratory therapy program. (First year summer semester.)

RESP 1507 Respiratory Therapy I (3L,3CR):
This course will cover physical assessment, oxygen administration, humidification, bronchial hygiene and airway management. This course will also include continuation of study in respiratory pathologies. Prerequisite: RESP 1500, 1505. (First year fall semester.)

RESP 1515 Respiratory Lab I (4LB,1CR):
This course will be the laboratory where respiratory skills are practiced, simulated and learned before using them in the clinical rotation. Subjects covered will be patient assessment, oxygen systems and administration, aerosol and humidity therapy, medication delivery and lung expansion therapy. Prerequisite: RESP 1500, 1505. (First year fall semester.)

RESP 1518 Respiratory Practicum I (16LB,4CR):
Students will rotate to several clinical sites in order to observe and practice under direct supervision. These rotations will include patient assessment, oxygen administration, aerosol and humidity therapy, medication delivery and lung expansion theory. See program handbook for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RESP 1500, 1505. (First year fall semester.)

RESP 1523 Respiratory Pharmacology (2L,2CR):
This course will cover material on respiratory specific drugs and delivery methods, and an overview of drugs that are commonly used in association with respiratory disease. Prerequisite: RESP 1500, 1505. (First year fall semester.)

RESP 1527 Respiratory Therapy II (3L,3CR):
Course material will cover subjects of respiratory failure, and mechanical ventilation for the adult, pediatric and newborn patient.  Prerequisite: RESP 1507, 1515, 1518, 1523. (First year spring semester.)

RESP 1535 Respiratory Lab II (4LB,1CR):
Course material will include mechanical ventilation and patient monitoring, pulmonary hygiene and chest physical therapy. Prerequisite: RESP 1507, 1515, 1518, 1523. (First year spring semester.)

RESP 1538 Respiratory Practicum II (16LB,4CR):
Continuation of clinical site observation and practice. Additional skills in airway management and ventilator initiation will be introduced under direct supervision. Case studies will be researched and presented to the class. See program handbook for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RESP 1507, 1515, 1518, 1523. (First year spring semester.)

RESP 1543 Respiratory Perinatal, Neonatal and Pediatrics (2L,2CR):
Course material will cover prenatal, neonatal, and pediatric respiratory care. Prerequisite: RESP 1507, 1515, 1518, 1523. (First year spring semester.)

RESP 2500 Respiratory Practicum Neonatal (8LB,2CR):
Students will rotate to a neonatal respiratory care Level III nursery. Clinical rotation will be condensed into eight (8) twelve hour rotations at a clinical site located out of state. During this clinical rotation, students will become familiar with the newborn and neonatal ICU. The student will be required to complete NRP certification before the clinical rotation starts. See program handbook for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RESP 1527, 1535, 1538, 1543. (Second year summer semester.)

RESP 2507 Respiratory Therapy III (3L,3CR):
This course will cover pulmonary functions, EKG’s, chest tubes, bronchoscopy and hemodynamic monitoring as well as continuation of ventilator management. Prerequisite: RESP 2500. (Second year fall semester.)

RESP 2515 Respiratory Pathology (2L,2CR):
This course will cover pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical manifestations commonly seen in critical care such as smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, chest and pleural trauma, manifestations and management of shock, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and neurological diseases. Case studies will be reviewed encompassing respiratory pathology. Prerequisite: RESP 2500. (Second year fall semester.)

RESP 2545 Respiratory Lab III (4LB,1CR):
Course material will cover additional mechanical ventilation modalities along with ABG’s, EKG’s, PFT’s NPPV and other respiratory modalities. Prerequisite: RESP 2500. (Second year fall semester.)

RESP 2548 Respiratory Practicum III (16LB,4CR):
Continuation of respiratory clinical rotations with an emphasis on ICU, critical care and advanced ventilator management. The student will also participate in critical thinking classes on a weekly basis to improve their clinical decision making skills. Case studies will be researched and presented. See program handbook for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RESP 2500. (Second year fall semester.)

RESP 2557 Respiratory Therapy IV (3L,3CR):
Course material will cover the transitioning from student to the respiratory care professional. Also there will be a segment on pulmonary rehabilitation, hyperbaric oxygen, intra aortic balloon pumping, as well as becoming ACLS certified. Prerequisite: RESP 2507, 2515, 2545, 2548. (Second year spring semester.)

RESP 2570 Respiratory Simulations (2L,2CR):
Students will take and pass the NBRC level written and simulation exams. Course work will help towards the success of passing these exams. Prerequisite: RESP 2507, 2515, 2545, 2548. (Second year spring semester.)

RESP 2575 Respiratory Lab IV (4LB,1CR):
Laboratory practice for passing the advanced cardiopulmonary life support (ACLS) test. Introduction of advanced, specialty respiratory modalities. Prerequisite: RESP 2507, 2515, 2545, 2548. (Second year spring semester.)

RESP 2578 Respiratory Practicum IV (16LB,4CR):
Continuation of clinical rotation with students becoming more independent with therapies. Emphasis will be on all aspects of ventilator management, the acute respiratory patient and preparation for the CSE portion of the RRT exam. Critical thinking class participation will also develop skills to pass the CSE. Students will research, present and critique case studies. See program handbook for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RESP 2507, 2515, 2545, 2548. (Second year spring semester.)

• What do respiratory therapists do?

Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat and care for clients with breathing disorders. They work under the direction of physicians to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and management of clients with pulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists utilize high-tech equipment and practice many types of therapies including: medical gases, medications, aerosols, bronchopulmonary drainage, ventilator support and airway management to help patients breathe easier.

• Where do respiratory therapists work?

Job opportunities for respiratory therapists can be found in hospitals, home health care, air and ground medical transport, and pulmonary laboratories. Most work in hospitals on intensive care, critical care, neonatal and routine floors. There is an estimated 40% increase in the need for respiratory therapists in the coming years.

• What kind of salary could I expect to earn as a respiratory therapist?

A 2005 salary survey reported that the national average annual salary for respiratory therapists with 5 years of experience is approximately $48,570.  Pay will vary depending on location, facility and experience.

• How long is the respiratory therapy program?

Our program spans 24 months of continuous education (including two summer sessions). Clinical instruction is conducted at Wyoming Medical Center, Memorial Hospital of Converse County, Iverson Memorial Hospital in Laramie and Apria home health agency. A summer neonatal clinical rotation will occur during the students' second year and will involve traveling to a Level III nursery in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• How to I obtain the admission guide for the Respiratory Therapy program?

Call Teresa at 307-268-2235 and she will send you the admission guide.

• What are the prerequisites for the program?

ENGL 1010 English Composition I
HLTK 0950 Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
HLTK 1200 Medical Terminology
MATH 1000 Problem Solving (minimum)
PHYS 1050 Concepts of Physics OR CHEM 1005/1006 Basic Chemistry and Lab
ZOO 2040/2041Human Anatomy and Lab
ZOO 2110 Physiology

Students must have completed these courses or be enrolled at the time of application. Midterm grades will be used in the application ranking process if the student has not completed the course by April 6th.

• What do I need to do to apply to the program?
  • Apply to Casper College as a degree seeking student.
  • Have taken or be enrolled in the courses listed above.
  • Have a cummulative GPA of 2.3 or better.
  • Have done 8 hours of observation with a Respiratory Therapist.
  • Must have a CPR card for healthcare providers.
  • Complete the application for the Respiratory Therapy program.
  • Include three letters of recommendation and a letter stating why you want to beome a respiratory therapist and turn in with your application to the program.

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Casper College's School of Health Science houses our nine health care and sports related programs. Careers in the these fields are in great demand and with a two-year degree, students have unlimited opportunities anywhere in the country. Salaries are competitive and the work is satisfying.

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