Respiratory Therapy Application and Admissions Process

• Submit completed online application
  • Below are the specific technical requirements that must be met and affirmed within the Respiratory Therapy application:

    Standard	Examples
    Communication: Applicants must be able to communicate with patients, personnel, and peers within classroom, lab, and clinical settings.	*Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, peers, instructors, and clinical staff using diverse media and technology. *Students must be able to provide, receive, and follow instructions. *Communicate and interact with patients, staff, and families from diverse backgrounds confidentially, sensitively, and emphatically. *Chart procedures and observations in a permanent record.
    Physical Ability Applicants must navigate in a clinical setting for eight (8) to twelve (12) hours per day performing diverse tasks in patient care along with a clinical instructor without jeopardizing the safety of the patient.	*Must be able to participate in transferring and positioning patients, moving and positioning equipment, and delivering patient care up to and potentially exceeding the weight of the patient. This may require changing body positions from sitting to standing and vice versa, kneeling, reaching overhead, below waist level, performing, etc. *Navigate for extended periods in all areas of a care delivery setting, including up and down stairs, to respond to non-emergent and emergent medical situations within an appropriate timeframe.
    Observation and Sensory Skills Candidates must detect and interpret written instructions, monitor equipment, and perform diagnostic tests and be aware of environmental changes and hazards. They must identify color distinctions and changes, variations in temperature, tissue integrity, and other relevant markers of patient status.	**Discriminate between a variety of visual alarms and data displays for different pieces of equipment. *Observe patient appearance to monitor clinical changes in status. Hearing: * Detect and monitor heart and breath sounds using a stethoscope. *Detect equipment alarms and patient monitoring that indicate equipment malfunction or patient decompensation. Olfactory: * Detect and distinguish odors from patients and the environment.
    Motor skills: Capable of performing fine and gross motor skills sufficient to handle equipment and provide safe and effective patient care.	*Assemble, operate, and manipulate various types of equipment and determine changes in function of the equipment. *Palpate arterial pulses for accurate rate and rhythm. *Manipulate equipment; including grasping, turning, assembly, disassembly, palpation during patient assessment, and maintenance of medical equipment. *Maneuver hospital beds and equipment. *Lift and transport oxygen cylinders. *Perform chest compression during CPR and manually ventilate a patient for at least 30 minutes.
    Intellectual/Cognitive: Applicants must have the capability to measure, calculate, and analyze data.	*They must make proper assessments, use sound judgment to appropriately prioritize therapeutic interventions, and accurately measure and record patient care outcomes.
    Behavior/Social Skills/Professionalism: Applicants must demonstrate attributes of empathy, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation.	*They must be able to adapt to ever-changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties and stresses, which are inherent to clinical practice.
    Working Conditions: Include potential exposure to blood and body fluids, and patients with communicable diseases.	*Students must be willing to perform infection control procedures and follow current immunization and clinical requirements.

• Successful completion of the following pre-entrance/admission courses (with a minimum grade of C; the most recent grade will be used in selection/ranking):
  • CHEM 1010 – College Chemistry
  • ENGL 1010 – English Composition I
  • MATH 1312 – Intermediate Algebra
  • BIOS 1310 – Survey of Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • One course in Professionalism and Life Skills (PLS); select one from the three listed below:
    • HMRL 1010 – Human Relations Skills
    • INFO 1001 – Information Systems and Literacy
    • EXPL 1000 – Exploratory Studies
• Students that have one or more courses in progress at time of application, may receive consideration. Please contact the program director for more information.
• Submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended. Please note that the review will include courses completed at MCC.
• Complete the HSRT-AD entrance exam for Respiratory Therapy. For HSRT-AD entrance exam and other testing information please visit MCC Testing Services By Location
  Note: Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee program acceptance.
• F1 Students: If you are on a F-1 Student Visa, please ensure that you have current health insurance and that your financial status is current with the International Student Services office. If you are in the United States on a non F-1 Visa please ensure that your visa is and remains current and you maintain the necessary financial support for the duration of your current and/or intended program. If you are applying for an additional Health Professions program (i.e. CNA to PN, PN to ADN, or EMT to Paramedicine) you will need to reapply and repeat the appropriate steps. Do not assume your status will remain unchanged without additional action initiated by you.

Within approximately 30 business days of the application deadline, all candidates will be reviewed. Applicants determined to be eligible for admission will be ranked according to the below criteria. Applicants are notified of admissions status by email to the email address associated with their MCC account.

Selection criteria is based on the following weighted factors. Applicants are accepted in order of the highest points earned.

• Applicants will receive one point for each of the following courses they have completed or transferred to MCC with a grade of C or higher, with the most recent grade used:
  • ENGL 1010 – English Composition I
  • One course in Professionalism and Life Skills (PLS); select one from the three listed below:
    • HMRL 1010 – Human Relations Skills
    • INFO 1001 – Information Systems and Literacy
    • EXPL 1000 – Exploratory Studies
  • Applicants will receive two points for each of the following courses they have completed or transferred to MCC with a grade of C or higher, with the most recent grade used:
    • MATH 1312 – Intermediate Algebra
    • CHEM 1010 – College Chemistry
    • BIOS 1310 – Survey of Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Applicant’s GPA as of the application deadline date for the five required pre-requisite courses will be multiplied by three to arrive at the GPA value points. Required courses include:
    • CHEM 1010 – College Chemistry
    • ENGL 1010 – English Composition I
    • MATH 1312 – Intermediate Algebra
    • BIOS 1310 – Survey of Human Anatomy & Physiology
    • One course in Professionalism and Life Skills (PLS):
      • HMRL 1010 – Human Relations Skills
      • INFO 1001 – Information Systems and Literacy
      • EXPL 1000 – Exploratory Studies
        NOTE: In order to utilize credits transferred from other institutions, official transcripts MUST be submitted and fully evaluated by the MCC Registrar’s office prior to the application deadline. Transcript evaluations can take four to six weeks upon receipt.
  • The applicant’s overall score on the HSRT-AD entrance exam will be converted to a scale of 10 and multiplied by two to arrive at a numeric point value for the exam. (i.e., score of 82 converted to 8.2, multiplied by 2, equals 16.4 points). The entrance exam is limited to three attempts in a two-year period.

If the student accepts their seat in the program, they must attend a mandatory orientation, prior to the start of class - date TBA.

Please upload the following required items to your online application. To access your application, log into your "My Account" page with your email address. Under "My Applications" where it reads "Action Required" click on "View". Click the link "Supplemental Items & Documents".

• Health History/Physical Exam
  • Proof of Health Insurance (This is required by our clinical partners. If you don’t currently have insurance OneWorld or Charles Drew can assist).
  • Copy of current BLS CPR Card: American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS (basic life support) CPR cards are accepted (Contact Jenny Hank at jhank@mccneb.edu with any questions concerning this certification)
  • Influenza Vaccination
    • Documentation of the influenza immunization (flu shot) administered during the current flu season. This is ONLY Required October 1 – April 1. If you cannot receive the flu vaccine due to medical or religious reasons, you must notify your clinical instructor, adhere to your clinical site policy regarding non-vaccination, and contact your program director.
    • MMR – Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella Vaccination
      • Documentation of 2 vaccines – OR – positive antibody titers for all 3 components (physician verification of results required). If any component of the titer is negative, you will need to repeat the 2-vaccine series.
      • If student has the MMRV vaccine, it will fulfill the Varicella vaccination as well as MMR.
    • Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccination
      • Documentation of 2 vaccines – OR – positive antibody titer (lab report required) – OR – physician documented history of the disease, including dates of illness.
      • If the titer is negative, the student must receive 1 booster shot.
      • If student has the MMRV vaccine, it will fulfill the Varicella vaccination as well as MMR.
    • Hepatitis B Vaccination
      • Documentation of the 3-vaccine series – AND – a positive antibody titer; OR a positive titer alone.
      • If the titer is negative, the student must repeat the 3-vaccine series.
      • If you are just beginning the series, provide documentation of all shots received thus far and provide subsequent documentation when other shots are received.
    • TDAP - (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccination
      • Documentation of Tdap booster administered within the past 10 years.
    • TB - Tuberculosis/PPD testing
      • Documentation of one of the following within the past 12 months for Baseline Screening:
        • Negative PPD/TST skin test (2 valid tests for RT students)
        • Negative QuantiFERON Gold blood test
        • Negative T-spot blood test
        • TB questionnaire/attestation completed if there is evidence of previous PPD testing (RT 2nd Year);
      • If positive results, one of the following is required each year:
        • Clear chest x-ray report
        • Negative QuantiFERON Gold blood test
        • Negative T-spot blood test
      • NOTE: Any student who was born outside of the United States and/or who knows they’ve been previously vaccinated for TB, should NOT get a TB blood or skin test, as it will show a positive result and may make the student ill; they need to get a chest x-ray, which can be done at OneWorld for a reduced fee or a provider of their choice.
    • COVID-19 vaccination- (IF REQUIRED BY CLINICAL FACILITY)
      • NOTE: This is not required at MCC for entry into the program, but students must comply with the requirements of the facility where they attend clinical. This means that evidence of the vaccination must be uploaded as follows or the student must be prepared to vaccinate or provide waiver or exemption documentation depending on what is required by the clinical faculty.
      • Documentation of completed series of vaccination:
        • [Moderna / Pfizer= 2 injections; J&J= one injection]
        • Documentation from affiliated clinical partners of waiver or exemption
    • Background Checks & Drug Screening/Testing
      • Clinical facilities require Metropolitan Community College to perform drug testing and background checks on all students before they can participate in clinical experiences. Therefore, students will need a background check performed and submit to a drug screening before being allowed into clinical practice. Students may be subject to random and/or additional drug testing and/or background checks throughout the program.

Above are the standards for most all of our clinical partners. There may be a variation of requirements, depending on clinical location.

Complete required Background Checks electronically, using the secured links that will be emailed, once student has been registered in the program.

• Students under age 19 MUST have a parent or guardian's signature on all Background Check forms.
• Students will receive two background check links. Any student under the age of 19, will be required to have a parent/guardian signature on the documents. One background check link is to OneSource, which uses an electronic signature and the other will be from DHHS which will require a parent/guardian's notarized signature.
• Students accepted to one of MCC’s Health Profession’s programs may present history of a felony, open misdemeanor, or positive drug test result. While students with such a history may be accepted, “acceptance” into one of Metropolitan Community College’s (MCC) Health Professions Programs (“Program”) is not a guarantee of acceptance into the required clinical experience, nor that you will be allowed by the state and/or a credentialing agency to sit for the licensure or certification exam, nor future employment in the field being pursued. Various factors, including but not limited to, a student’s drug screening, criminal, sex offender, OIG-SAM and/or abuse registry history, may affect a student’s eligibility to progress through the Program and gain licensure/credentialing and employment. Facilities offering practical experiences to students make their own determination as to which students they will accept based on that organization’s standards, including review of a student’s drug screening, criminal history, sex offender registry, OIG-SAM and abuse registry records, over which MCC has no control. Failure to be accepted into and successfully complete a clinical rotation will result in failure to complete the course and/or degree. Similarly, MCC has no control over whom the state and/or credentialing agency allows to sit for the licensing or credentialing exam, or what factors potential employers may determine disqualify an individual from employment. Acceptance into an MCC Health Professions Program is not a guarantee of program completion, future licensure or certification, or ultimate employment in the field of study.
• The Nebraska Abuse Registry Check through DHHS, requires an Identity Verification form be completed by any student under the age of 19. The ID Verification form will appear after the student has submitted their personal data to DHHS. This form MUST be taken to a Notary of the Public, to be signed by the Parent/Guardian in front of the Notary after showing photo ID. The Notary will fill out the form, request the parent/guardian signature; then sign, date, and stamp the form making it a legal document. Please upload the fully signed document into the DHHS portal using the Request Number (from the form), the 4-digit Pin number that the student created when starting the process, and the instructions provided in the DHHS email. NOTE: Minors are not the only students subject to the ID Verification form. If you are not a minor and receive the ID form upon submission, follow the same steps mentioned for the minor. Since you are an adult, you can take the form to get notarized yourself. Any questions, contact Brenda Ballou at bmballou1@mccneb.edu. The DHHS link will expire, so complete the link as soon as possible from a computer/laptop/tablet, NOT FROM A CELL PHONE. Accuracy matters, so make sure all information is entered in correctly so another link does not have to be requested, as a fee may be assessed to your student account.

General Education Courses

• ENGL 1010 English Composition I 4.5
• COMS 1300 Interpersonal Communication 4.5
• MATH 1312 Intermediate Algebra 4.5
• CHEM 1010 College Chemistry 6.0
• One course in Professionalism and Life Skills (PLS); select one from the three listed below:
  • HMRL 1010 Human Relations Skills 4.5
  • INFO 1001 Information Systems and Literacy 4.5
  • EXPL 1000 Exploratory Studies 4.5

Please note, financial aid may not cover multiple math courses within the same course level. Example, if 1310 has been taken, 1312 may not be covered. The most recent required course grade will be used in the calculation of points for admissions into the program.

Other Course Requirements for Respiratory Therapy

• BIOS 1310 Survey Human Anatomy and Physiology 5.0
• PHYS 1010 Applied Physics 4.5

Once in the program, students will complete COMS 1300 and PHYS 1010.

Major Core RT Courses

• RESP 1000 Orientation to Respiratory Care 3.0
• RESP 1010 Introduction to Respiratory Care 4.5
• RESP 1020 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology 4.5
• RESP 1030 Respiratory Care Procedures I 4.5
• RESP 1031 Current Concepts I 2.0
• RESP 1040 Respiratory Care Procedures II 4.5
• RESP 1041 Current Concepts II 2.0
• RESP 1041 Pharmacology for Respiratory Care 3.0
• RESP 1991 Clinical Practicum I 5.5
• RESP 1992 Clinical Practicum II 5.5
• RESP 1993 Clinical Practicum III 5.5
• RESP 2100 Advanced Respiratory Care 4.5
• RESP 2101 Current Concepts III 2.0
• RESP 2120 Cardiology and Hemodynamics 3.0
• RESP 2121 Current Concepts IV 2.0
• RESP 2122 Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care 3.0
• RESP 2131 Current Concepts V 2.0
• RESP 2132 Respiratory Care Seminar 4.5
• RESP 2994 Clinical Practicum IV 5.5
• RESP 2995 Clinical Practicum V 5.5

All course grades must be a C or higher.

For a complete description of courses, visit mycatalog.mccneb.edu.

*Review of applications will begin on June 1^st.

Contact Information for questions:

Metropolitan Community College
Health Professions
South Omaha Campus
Mahoney Building, Room 519
RT@mccneb.edu

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