Respiratory Therapist

This clinical course provides for initial hospital orientation and development of general patient assessment and communication skills required for safe and effective patient care. Emphasis is placed upon application of classroom and laboratory experiences within the clinical environment. Upon completion, students should demonstrate adequate psychomotor skills and cognitive abilities necessary for initial patient contact and safe and effective performance of basic respiratory care procedures. This is a CORE course.

This course is designed to acquaint the student with responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) as a member of the health care team. Areas of emphasis include: history of the profession, credentialing mechanism, licensure, medical ethics, communication skills, basic medical terminology, and patient assessment. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, proper use of aseptic technique, deference to appropriate professional ethics and behavior, and be able to perform basic patient assessment. This is a CORE course.

A fundamental course which presents the scientific basis for respiratory care procedures and application of basic chemistry and physics as related to compressed gases and respiratory care equipment operation. Experimental laboratory is required and emphasis includes: design, functional characteristics, and operation of commonly encountered respiratory care equipment, use of medical gases and applied chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge base concerning function and troubleshooting of respiratory care equipment and concepts of applied physics, chemistry, and mathematics. This is a CORE course.

This course provides detailed lecture and audio-visual presentations which concentrate on the cardiopulmonary and renal systems. Emphasis is placed on structure, function, and physiology of the cardiopulmonary and renal systems and the role each plays in the maintenance of homeostasis. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the structure, function, and physiology of the cardiopulmonary and renal systems. This is a CORE course.

This course is a detailed study of drugs encountered in respiratory care practice and the function of the autonomic nervous system. Areas of emphasis include: determination of drug dosage, applied mathematics, clinical pharmacology, indications, hazards, intended actions, and side-effects of agents used in respiratory care. Upon completion, the student should be able to complete a dosage calculation test with 90% proficiency and demonstrate an adequate understanding of the clinical pharmacology of respiratory care drugs, and the general principles of pharmacology. This is a CORE course.

This course is a continuation of clinical practice and allows the student to further integrate classroom and laboratory instruction into the practice of respiratory care. Areas of emphasis include: bedside patient assessment techniques, airway management, hyperinflation therapy, protocol implementation, development of patient care plans, oxygen, humidity and aerosol administration, and an introduction to management of the mechanical ventilation of the adult. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate appropriate psychomotor skills and cognitive abilities necessary to successfully function as primary care giver for routine respiratory care procedures. This is a CORE course.

This course is a survey of commonly encountered diseases and disorders which may affect the function of the cardiopulmonary system, and the clinical manifestations and treatment rationales as related to respiratory care practice. Practical laboratory is required and course emphasis is placed upon the application of sound diagnostic techniques in the gathering of data in support of diagnosis of specific disease entities as well as progression of pathological changes in cardiopulmonary function. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to gather appropriate information from various sources in support of diagnosis of specific cardiopulmonary disease as well as an adequate understanding of cardiopulmonary pathology. This is a CORE course.

This course continues to present the fundamental scientific basis for selected respiratory care procedures. Experimental laboratory is required and areas of emphasis include: therapeutic techniques utilized in bronchial hygiene, hyperinflation therapy, mechanical ventilation of the adult, manual resuscitation equipment, the equipment utilized in bedside assessment, and mechanical ventilation. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the cognitive abilities and psychomotor skills required to perform the procedures presented. This is a CORE course.

This course provides the student with lecture and audiovisual presentation of material essential to the understanding of acid/base physiology and arterial blood gas interpretation. Emphasis is placed upon Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) sampling technique, quality assurance, basic chemistry as related to acid/base balance, evaluation of oxygen transport, and the role of the respiratory and renal systems in maintenance of homeostasis. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate appropriate psychomotor skills and cognitive abilities for the fundamental concepts of acid/base balance and regulation of homeostasis by the respiratory and renal systems. This is a CORE course.

This is the third course in the clinical sequence, and is designed to allow the student to function in the role of primary care giver. Emphasis is placed upon mastery of basic respiratory care procedures, administration of aerosol drugs, and care of the patient receiving mechanical ventilation. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate psychomotor skills and cognitive abilities necessary to function safely and effectively in the role of primary care giver. This is a CORE course.

This course continues to present specific disease entities which may impair cardiopulmonary function. Laboratory study is directed toward diagnostic techniques and decision making. Course emphasis is placed upon etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment rationale for each medical problem presented. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the cognitive abilities necessary to integrate clinical and laboratory data obtained from various sources in support of the diagnosis and treatment of the specific disease entities presented.

This course is designed to present the value of various procedures as an aid to diagnosis in cardiopulmonary disease. Course emphasis is placed upon procedures such as complete pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, cardiac diagnostic procedures, and ventilation/perfusion studies. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the psychomotor and cognitive abilities necessary to perform routine diagnostic procedures. This is a CORE course.

This course identifies and presents special procedures and medical specialties for various tasks required of the RCP, while functioning in an assistive role to the physician. Course emphasis is placed upon phlebotomy, bronchoscopy, hemodynamic assessment, and advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring techniques. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate cognitive abilities and understand the psychomotor skills necessary to perform assistive functions during the various procedures presented. This is a CORE course.

This course continues and expands the presentation of material concerning mechanical ventilation as previously introduced including indications, modification, and discontinuance of mechanical ventilation. Laboratory is required and course emphasis is placed upon the application of scientific principles to the clinical use of various modes of mechanical ventilation. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to effectively institute and maintain various methods of mechanical ventilation. This is a CORE course.

This course, the last in the required clinical sequence, provides opportunities for the student to further refine clinical skills. Course emphasis is placed upon critical care, neonatal mechanical ventilation, home care and discharge planning. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to function in the role of advanced respiratory care practitioner. This is a CORE course.

This course presents special considerations which apply to rehabilitation and home care of the patient with cardiopulmonary disorders. Emphasis is placed upon the role of the RCP within the home care medical community and modification of techniques and procedures necessary for effective pulmonary management. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of discharge planning and disease management protocols as applied to rehabilitation and the continuation of effective respiratory care outside of an acute care facility. This is a CORE course.

This course presents the unique requirement for appropriate delivery of respiratory care to the neonatal and pediatric patient. Laboratory is required and course emphasis is placed upon a detailed outline of fetal lung development, fetal circulation, neonatal cardiopulmonary disorders, and specialized equipment and techniques, as well as general considerations of provision of care to neonatal and pediatric patients. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the cognitive and psychomotor skills required for safe and effective delivery of respiratory care to the neonatal and pediatric patient. This is a CORE course.

This course is designed to allow the student practice in utilizing computer assisted clinical simulation software as well as allow for a general program review in preparation for credentialing examinations. Emphasis is placed on development of critical thinking skills, specific to the discipline, and development of computer literacy. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate computer literacy and satisfactory performance on nationally standardized comprehensive self-assessment examinations.

This course provides for continued discussion concerning the monitoring and maintenance of patients who are treated in the critical care area of an acute care hospital. Course emphasis is placed upon advanced monitoring and assessment techniques employed in the treatment of the critical care patient. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate increased psychomotor and cognitive abilities as pertaining to critical care.