
Respiratory Therapy
Complete the Associate’s program in as little as 20 months!
Platt College’s Respiratory Therapy program prepares graduates to pursue careers in Respiratory Therapy, a dynamic specialty area in the rapidly-expanding health care field.
Program Details
Upon successful completion of foundational coursework and a clinical externship, graduates of the program are awarded an Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy and are eligible to take both entry level (CRT) and advanced level (RRT) credentialing exams through the National Board for Respiratory Care.
For more information click here http://www.coarc.com
“The Respiratory Therapy Program meets the accreditation standards of Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and has received Continuing Accreditation according to the CoARC procedures for accreditation.”
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Boulevard
Telford, TN 37690
(817) 283-2835
www.coarc.com
The CoARC’s outcomes webpage https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
* Ontario Program number 200588, Alhambra Program Number 200596.
“CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.”
The knowledge, skills and physical abilities required to safely and efficiently practice respiratory care is complex.
Program Goal: “To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). We ask that you review these standards when making your decision to become a Respiratory Care Practitioner.

In a typical day as a Respiratory Therapist, you might:
- Assist physicians in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with cardio-pulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities
- Measure critical lung functions
- Monitor heart functions
- Treat newborns, trauma victims, drowning victims, and patients suffering from asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, emphysema, and pneumonia.
Take a Look at the Course Details
Physical Standards
- Push/pull large wheeled equipment, such as mechanical ventilators which may weigh in excess of 200 lbs.
- Kneel to adjust equipment
- Crouch/kneel/stoop to adjust, equipment, locate and plug in electrical equipment or perform CPR
- Walk on hard surfaces for extended periods of time to all areas of a hospital
- Hear verbal instructions. gas flow through equipment and distinguish warning signals and be able to hear breath and cardiac sounds with the use of standard or electronic stethoscopes.
- Manual and finger dexterity sufficient to feel to palpate pulses, arteries for puncture and skin temperature; manipulate and grasp small and large equipment; manipulate knobs and dials; assemble/disassemble various medical equipment
- Push/pull large wheeled equipment, such as mechanical ventilators which may weigh in excess of 200 lbs.
- Kneel to adjust equipment
- Crouch/kneel/stoop to adjust, equipment, locate and plug in electrical equipment or perform CPR
- Walk on hard surfaces for extended periods of time to all areas of a hospital
Cognitive & Behavioral Standards
- Accept and apply constructive criticism
- Adhere to institutional and programmatic policies
- Apply theory to clinical practice Exhibit the social skills necessary to interact professionally, respectfully and effectively with patients, families, supervisors, and co-workers of the same or different cultures as a health care team member Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with patient care
- Calculate, analyze, interpret and record numbers and physical data accurately Demonstrate self-direction and independent responsibility
- Display attitudes/actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession Display empathy for patients
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, families, supervisors, and co-workers of the same or different cultures such as respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, discretion
- Carry out verbal and written instructions independently without critical errors and in a timely manner
- Physical tolerance to a clinical environment that may include noisy conditions, crowded conditions, sterile surroundings, exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and exposure to chemicals/solvents
- Function safely, effectively, and calmly under stressful situations
- Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with patient care
- Prioritize effectively and maintain composure while managing multiple tasks
- Work in a positive, constructive manner with peers, coworkers, patients and instructors
Except as expressly provided in California Education Code Section 94898, Platt College reserves the right to modify policies, course schedules, curricula or courses within reason due to exigent circumstances, program upgrades and/or content changes, and to cancel programs of study, modes of delivery, upcoming start dates or individual courses as it deems necessary. If a course or program is canceled, the school may schedule course completion at a later date or refund all monies paid for the canceled course or program if the student does not wish to continue with the program at the later date. All Platt College programs are not available at all locations, please see an Admissions Representative for more information on specific enrollment information.
Student Testimonials

Criminal Justice
Anne Balver always knew she wanted to be of service within her community. “I’m a very positive person who truly likes to help others. At first, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but quickly realized that my dream was to follow my real passion and ultimately work in the field of criminal justice.” Anne graduated from Platt College Alhambra with a degree in Criminal Justice. Her goal is to become a police officer and serve her community. Anne’s advice to others pursuing their goals?…“Always follow your dreams and never give up. Anything is possible.”


Medical Administrative Specialist
Samantha Monsouir thought she had it all together, then came a pandemic. “When COVID-19 hit, like other students, I abruptly made the transition to remote learning. But not only did I have to transition, as a single mom, my 15-year-old daughter, a high school freshman, also had to transition to online classes. It really felt like a whole new, uncertain world for us.” But Samantha persevered and is on track to graduate as a Medical Administrative Specialist (MAS) in August 2020. Samantha is looking forward to starting her externship next month in a private doctor’s office.


Robert moved to California and enrolled in college, but was forced to drop out and work in order to send money home to support his family. A packing job at Amazon offered Amazon’s Career Choice program that provided paid college tuition in select programs. Among those programs was Platt College Riverside’s IT program. While working toward his IT degree, Robert was transferred into Amazon’s IT department and landed the job of Support Technician. Robert graduated from Platt College in November 2019, shortly before the pandemic hit. “What I love about my job is the ability to facilitate positive interaction between our IT professionals and our customers. Being able to provide solutions to issues and remove barriers in the workplace is very satisfying – despite the 6-feet of social distance that we must maintain for now.”


Kenny enrolled in Platt College Anaheim’s IT program in 2016 and worked at uBreakiFix. “Between my IT classes, my hands-on repair experience, and the fact that I worked closely with customers, I developed a confidence in my hard skills as well as my soft skills, and built a strong foundation for a future in IT!” said Kenny. Kenny was hired by J. Morita USA, a manufacturer of medical-technical products and a leading supplier in the fields of X-ray diagnostics and endodontics. “It‘s my job to work with the doctor or dentist’s office personnel to get the equipment back up and running ASAP...I spend much of my day on the phone helping medical personnel with IT issues and I find it very rewarding! And the good news is that I can do my job from anywhere!”


Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)
I attended Platt College Anaheim as a part of the very first graduating Diagnostic Medical Sonography class from 2016-18. I've worked at United Medical Imaging for the past two years and have grown so much...I obtained my Abdomen RDMS license in Feb. 2020 and currently working towards obtaining my RVT. If you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life and I have definitely found mine!






Accreditation
Platt College Los Angeles is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit institutions of higher education across the United States. The primary purpose of ACCSC and other accrediting agencies is to establish and maintain high educational standards and ethical business practices among its accredited institutions.
For more than 40 years, ACCSC has been at the forefront of establishing and advancing quality education at private, postsecondary career schools and colleges. ACCSC, recognized by the United States Department of Education as a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency, is dedicated to ensuring a quality education for more than 250,000 students who annually pursue career education at 800 accredited institutions. ACCSC’s mission is to serve as a reliable authority on educational quality and to promote enhanced opportunities for students by establishing, sustaining, and enforcing valid standards and practices which contribute to the development of a highly trained and competitive workforce through quality career oriented education.
Our Popular Programs

Medical Assisting
Platt College’s Medical Assisting program prepares you to enter the fast-growing health care field. Earn your Associate’s Degree in Medical…
Learn More
Medical Administrative Specialist
Platt College’s Medical Administrative Specialist program prepares you to enter the fast-growing health care field. You can earn your Associate’s…
Learn More
Veterinary Technology
The Veterinary Technology Program at the Platt School of Medical Sciences is specifically designed to provide in-depth study and training…
Learn More
Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Platt College is designed to prepare students to seek entry-level employment in their chosen…
Learn More