Respiratory Therapy (RT)

An introduction and orientation to the traditional BSRT program. The course is designed to welcome the student to the program and give guidance on how to navigate the courses, specific program requirements, and outline next steps in starting the professional phase of the program. Grades: Pass/No credit.

A study of respiratory care treatment modalities and equipment. Emphasis is placed on understanding application to patient situations, assessment of care, and principles of operation of equipment. Infection control issues will be included. Students will discuss the pathophysiology, health promotion and disease prevention aspects of each modality.

A study of patient assessment skills and procedures used in the evaluation of the respiratory patient. Emphasis will be on patient care procedures, physical assessment, laboratory assessment, communication skills, and documentation. Professionalism, ethics and civic responsibilities of the respiratory therapist will be discussed.

A study of the structure and function of the respiratory system. Physiology of the respiratory, cardiac, and renal systems will be discussed. Emphasis will be on how each control the body's acid-base status and the effects of respiratory therapeutic modalities on each system.

A study of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of cardiopulmonary disease and critical care. Emphasis will be on drugs used to influence the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous and renal systems.

Practical application of respiratory care performed under supervision at clinical sites. This course serves as an introduction to the hospital environment. Proficiency evaluations of selected respiratory care procedures will be completed.

Relevant laboratory practice/activities based on content covered in first semester courses in the upper division respiratory therapy program.

This course is a continuation of RT 301. It is designed to continue the progression from basic respiratory care modalities to more advanced therapy and equipment. Emphasis will continue to be on understanding application to patient situations, assessment of care, and principles of operation of equipment.

A study of the selection, application, maintenance, and discontinuance of various artificial airways. Emphasis will be on intubation, extubation, tracheostomy care, and suctioning. The role of the respiratory therapist in a cardiopulmonary arrest will be covered in accordance with American Heart Association Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) guidelines. ACLS will be taught.

A study of the diseases affecting the respiratory system commonly encountered by practicing respiratory therapists. The pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases will be discussed.

A study of clinical research methods and concepts related to respiratory care. Emphasis is on an overview of the research process and how to critically evaluate published and empirical research. (Writing Intensive Course)

Practical application of respiratory care performed under supervision at clinical sites. Proficiency evaluations of selected respiratory care procedures will be completed including basic and advanced modalities. Students will prepare and present case studies relevant to this patient population.

Laboratory practice/activities involving content covered in courses during the second semester of the upper division respiratory therapy program.

A study of the basic physics, theory, and methods commonly used in mechanical ventilation. Emphasis will be on patient management and assessment. Invasive and non-invasive ventilation will be discussed, including advanced oxygen delivery systems.

A study of advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring used in critical care. Emphasis will be on ventilator waveform analysis, capnography, and hemodynamic monitoring.

Practical application of respiratory care performed under supervision at clinical sites. Proficiency evaluations of selected respiratory care procedures will be completed including advanced modalities and mechanical ventilation. Students will prepare and present case studies relevant to this patient population.

Laboratory exercises/activities relevant to course content taught in the third semester of the respiratory therapy program.

This course is a directed study course for the students attempting to re-track in the respiratory therapy program at the junior level. The course will consist of competency testing to include material covered in the didactic, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences normally completed at this point in the program. Grades: Pass/Fail.

This course is a continuation of RT 351. A study of advanced mechanical ventilation. Adult, pediatric, and neonatal ventilation will be discussed. Emphasis will be on patient management and assessment.

A study of respiratory therapy involving infants and children. Emphasis will be on patient management and assessment in basic and intensive care settings. Developmental anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, disease management and prevention, health promotion, oxygenation, and resuscitation will be discussed. PALS and NRP will be taught. Relevant lab exercises will be included.

A study of diagnostic testing and measurements used in providing care for respiratory patients. Emphasis will be on pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, sleep studies, and other special procedures commonly encountered by the practicing respiratory therapist.

Practical application of respiratory care performed under supervision at clinical sites. Proficiency evaluations of selected respiratory care procedures will be completed including advanced mechanical ventilation, special populations, and diagnostics. Students will prepare and present case studies relevant to this patient population. (Writing Intensive Course)

Relevant laboratory exercises/activities related to the content covered in the courses required in the fourth semester of the respiratory therapy program.

A study of the respiratory therapist's role in pulmonary rehabilitation, home care, and patient education and motivation in preventative care. Reimbursement issues will be discussed. This course will also provide an overview of the growing need for quality palliative care. The scope of palliative care and current end-of-life issues will be introduced. Focus will be on the common pathology processes often seen in respiratory practice.

A study of general educational and instructional methods and techniques. Emphasis will be on patient education and health promotion. The student will learn how to write learning objectives, how to evaluate patient education, how to prepare and present a topic for an in-service presentation, and how to present a lecture in a classroom and in the laboratory environment.

A study of management of a respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary department. Emphasis will be on regulatory agency and accreditation standards related to respiratory therapy, departmental budgeting, quality assurance, human resource issues, conflict resolution, and staff training.

Practical application of respiratory care performed under supervision at clinical sites. This course prepares students to perform as advanced-level respiratory therapists. Proficiency evaluations of selected respiratory care procedures will be completed. Emphasis will be on advanced mechanical ventilation in adults, pediatrics, and neonates; special procedure areas may be assigned.

This course is a directed study course for students attempting to re-track in the respiratory therapy program at the senior level. The course will consist of competency testing to include material covered in the didactic, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences normally completed at this point in the program. Grades: Pass/Fail.

This course is designed to assist students in preparing for the Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation Exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

An introduction and orientation to the RRT-BSRT Bridge Program. The course is designed to welcome the student to the program and give guidance on how to navigate the courses. Grades: Pass/No credit.

A study of advanced mechanical ventilation. Adult, pediatric, and neonatal ventilation will be discussed. Emphasis will be on patient management and assessment. Invasive and non-invasive ventilation techniques will be included.

A study of monitoring utilized in an intensive care unit. Emphasis will be on ventilator waveform analysis, capnography, pulse oximetry, and hemodynamic monitoring.

A study of clinical research methods and concepts related to respiratory care. Emphasis is on an overview of the research process and how to critically evaluate published and empirical research. (Writing Intensive Course)

The Advanced Practice Elective can be completed in the semester of the student's choice. Completion of the course requires the student to prepare an approved project related to, or complete the requirements for one of the following advanced practice credentials: Advanced Critical Care Specialist, Neonatal-Perinatal Specialist, Certified Asthma Education, Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist, Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist, Certified Sleep Disorder Specialist, Registered Sleep Disorder Specialist, or Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.

A study of the respiratory therapist's role in patient education and health promotion. General educational and instructional methods and techniques will be introduced. The student will learn how to write learning objectives, how to evaluate patient education, how to prepare and present a topic for an in-service presentation, and how to present a lecture in a classroom and in the laboratory environment. (Writing Intensive Course)

A study of the current professional environment and the role of the respiratory therapist in patient care management. An introduction to the concept of evidence-based practice and discussion of how to incorporate evidence and best practices into professional work. Therapist-driven protocols, respiratory case managers, and care coordinators/navigators will be introduced.

A study of respiratory care involving infants and children. Emphasis will be on patient management and assessment in basic and intensive care settings. Developmental anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, disease management and prevention, health promotion, oxygenation, and resuscitation will be discussed.

A study of the management of a respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary department. Emphasis will be on regulatory agency and accreditation standards related to respiratory therapy, departmental budgeting, quality assurance, human resource issues, conflict resolution, staff training, and customer service.

A study of diagnostic testing commonly encountered by practicing respiratory therapists. Emphasis will be on pulmonary function studies. Other special procedures will be introduced.

A study of the respiratory therapist's role in pulmonary rehabilitation, long-term care, long-term acute care, home care and palliative care. Patient education and motivation in preventative care will be discussed. An overview of reimbursement issues will be included. The scope of palliative care and end-of-life issues will be discussed.

(1-3). The student will be assigned a research poster presentation, project, and/or paper in an approved respiratory therapy subject to complete the course. The length of the paper or extent of the project will be determined by the Program Director based on the credit hours to be awarded.