Respiratory Therapy - RSPT
17 courses · Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
RSPT B1A Foundations of Respiratory Therapy
- Units
- 5.5
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours, 81 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the duties and responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP). Content includes aspects of interpersonal communication, ethics, personal protective equipment, foundations, futures of medicine, pulmonary care, hospital departmental operations, professional development and quality assurance. Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system, including the mechanics of breathing, gas exchange, fluids, electrolytes and acid/base balance.
RSPT B1C Respiratory Clinical 1
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B1C must be taken concurrently with RSPT B1T.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory clinical course for students correlating classroom and clinical experiences in participating in local acute care settings. Emphasis will be on patients who have alterations in their cardiopulmonary system. The clinical experience will expose students to the basics of direct patient inspection, laboratory data analysis, electrocardiogram interpretation, and blood gas monitoring. An introduction to interpreting radiographic imagery and direct visualization of the airway will also be included in the course. The student explores documentation, patient rounds, equipment modalities, medication administration, and bronchial hygiene therapy.
RSPT B1T Assessment of Patient and Review of Cardiopulmonary Disease
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B1T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B1C. AND RSPT B1T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B51L.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will include instruction on patient assessment using direct patient inspection, laboratory data, electrocardiogram, and blood gas monitoring. A review on interpreting radiographic imagery and direct visualization of the airway and how it improves the efficiency of diagnosis and patient treatment, instruction of the various pulmonary infections and diseases along with treatment plans to improve patient outcomes are discussed. Analysis of other cardiopulmonary complications including neuromuscular, trauma, cancer, and sleep disorders, and categorization and treatment of neonatal and pediatric respiratory disorders are also included.
RSPT B2C Respiratory Clinical 2
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B2C must be taken concurrently with RSPT B2T.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a clinical course that correlates classroom and clinical learning and includes management in the use of oxygen therapies, medications, and ventilator support. The student is provided the opportunity to administer medication through various types of therapy. They will also perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation as opportunity provides, airway care and management, infection control procedures, patient assessments, apply non-invasive ventilation therapy, and evaluate and record pertinent data in the patient's chart. Neonatal care strategy including delivery of the neonate, initial resuscitation of the neonate, and plan of care for the neonate will be observed. Preparing for pediatric care involving education of patient and family, and airway care.
RSPT B2T Respiratory Therapeutics and Ventilatory Support
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B2T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B2C. AND RSPT B2T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B52L.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course includes management in the use of oxygen therapies, medications, and ventilator support. Students will learn to apply respiratory principles such as fractional inspired oxygen, aerosol and meter-dose inhalers, antibiotics, intubation of the trachea, initial ventilator settings and adjustment based on patient reactions to care. Neonatal care strategy including delivery of the neonate, initial resuscitation of the neonate, and plan of care for the neonate will be discussed. Preparing for pediatric care involving education of patient and family, and airway care.
RSPT B3C Respiratory Clinical 3
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B3C must be taken concurrently with RSPT B3T.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a clinical course that correlates classroom and clinical learning. This course gives the student an opportunity to develop their clinical skills of airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, aerosol therapy, arterial puncture and interpretation, oxygen therapy, hyperinflation therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and patient evaluation. In addition, the student will begin learning basic mechanical ventilation concepts through assessment and monitoring. Students may have exposure to the adult Intensive Care Unit's during this rotation as participants and exposure to Neonatal and Pediatric intensive care units as observers.
RSPT B3T Neonatal, Pediatric, and Advanced Ventilator Practice
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B3T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B53L. AND RSPT B3T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B3C.
This is an advanced course that focuses on the application of previously learned knowledge and expands to a more in-depth understanding of the neonatal and pediatric client. Course content includes pediatric emergency, trauma, pediatric ICU and care of the critically ill neonatal patient, advanced ventilator management experience in the adult, pediatric, and neonatal ICUs.
RSPT B4C Respiratory Clinical 4
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 216 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B4C must be taken concurrently with RSPT B4T.
This is a clinical course that correlates classroom and clinical learning. This course gives the student an opportunity to develop their clinical skills of airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, aerosol therapy, arterial puncture and interpretation, oxygen therapy, hyperinflation therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and patient evaluation. In addition, the student will build on the previously learned skills of mechanical ventilation concepts through assessment and monitoring. Students may have exposure to the adult Intensive Care Unit's during this rotation as participants and exposure to Neonatal and Pediatric intensive care units as participants.
RSPT B4T Comprehensive Respiratory Therapy Review
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B4T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B4C. AND RSPT B4T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B54L.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course means to prepare the respiratory student to apply for, study, and successfully complete the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to obtain an RRT credential and apply for California state licensure.
RSPT B51L Respiratory Learning Lab Level 1
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 81 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B1T must be taken concurrently with RSPT B51L.
This course is designed for instructor-led simulation and student deliberate practice and mastery of respiratory therapy skills and concepts necessary for providing safe client care throughout the program. This course is provided as an adjunct to the level one respiratory didactic and clinic courses. This level one course provides instructional guidance to assist students to refine newly acquired skills and concepts, and to develop the competency level expected of entry-level respiratory therapists.
RSPT B52L Respiratory Learning Lab Level 2
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 81 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B52L must be taken concurrently with RSPT B2T.
This is a course is designed for instructor-led simulation and student deliberate practice and mastery of respiratory therapy skills and concepts necessary for providing safe client care throughout the program. This course is provided as an adjunct to RSPTB2T respiratory didactic and clinic courses. This level two course provides instructional guidance to assist students to refine newly acquired skills and concepts, and to develop the competency level expected of entry-level respiratory therapists.
RSPT B53L Respiratory Learning Lab Level 3
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 81 lab hours
- Corequisite
- Corequisite: RSPT B54L must be taken concurrently with RSPT B4T.
This course is designed for instructor-led simulation and student deliberate practice and mastery of respiratory therapy skills and concepts necessary for providing safe client care throughout the program. This course is provided as an adjunct to the level three respiratory and clinic courses. This level three course provides instructional guidance to assist students to refine levels 1 and 2, and newly acquired skills and concepts, and to develop the competency level expected of entry-level respiratory therapists.
RSPT B54L Respiratory Learning Lab Level 4
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 81 lab hours
- Corequisite
- RSPT B54L must be taken concurrently with RSPT B4T.
This course is designed for instructor-led simulation and student deliberate practice and mastery of respiratory therapy skills and concepts necessary for providing safe client care throughout the program. This course is provided as an adjunct to the level four respiratory and clinic courses. This level four course provides instructional guidance to assist students to refine skills learned in all previous levels and newly acquired skills and concepts, and to develop the competency level expected of entry-level respiratory therapists.
RSPT B61 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - In Hospital Support
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
This course is designed for healthcare providers who either direct or participate on the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies in the acute hospital setting. Through didactic instruction and active participation in simulated cases, the students will enhance their skills in the recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The goal of this course is to improve outcomes for adult patients of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies through early recognition and interventions by high-performance teams.
RSPT B62 Pediatric Advanced Life Support - In Hospital Support
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
This is a course offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) for healthcare providers who take care of children and infants in the emergency room, critical care, and intensive care units in the hospital. The course aims to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by preparing healthcare providers to effectively recognize and intervene in patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest by using high-performance team dynamics and high-quality individual skills. At the end of the course, the students will qualify for an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider PALS card.
RSPT B63 Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
This is a course that equips healthcare professionals with an evidence-based approach to caring for newborns during the critical moments of birth. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) course conveys an evidence-based approach to care of the newborn at birth and facilitates effective team-based care for healthcare professionals who care for newborns at the time of delivery. The NRP course aims to enhance the skills of healthcare providers who attend deliveries, ensuring effective and safe care for newborns.
RSPT B64 Neonatal Stabilization and Transport
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
This course focuses exclusively on the post-resuscitation/pre-transport stabilization care of sick infants. Those infants who require resuscitation also require ongoing care to decrease the risk of morbidity and mortality. This course provides all members of the neonatal healthcare team with the knowledge needed to render necessary care to infants who are under post-resuscitation or pre-transport stabilization care. Utilizing an organized approach, the course facilitates the care process by prompting healthcare providers to focus on specific areas of care.