Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program

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This course introduces students to applications of basic physics concepts relative to the field of respiratory therapy including mechanics of motion, work and energy, states of matter, gas laws, gas behavior and fluid dynamics. Additionally, this course will introduce students to concepts related to the properties and generation of humidity & aerosols; manufacture, storage, handling, transport of medical gases and the design of devices to regulate & deliver medical gases.

This laboratory course introduces students to experimentation with and application of basic physics concepts relative to the field of respiratory therapy including mechanics of motion, work and energy, states of matter, gas laws, gas behavior and fluid dynamics. Additionally, this course will introduce students to concepts related to the properties and generation of humidity & aerosols; safe and proper selection, assembly, troubleshooting, handling and transport of medical gases as well as devices to regulate & deliver medical gases.

This course is a focused study of cardiopulmonary anatomy & physiology. Discussions will center on a systematic understanding of the position, function and interplay of structures within the respiratory, cardiovascular and renal systems as well as control of breathing, gas exchange, acid-base physiology, cardiac electrophysiology and fluid balance. Included in this course will be interpretation of clinical laboratory findings, proper techniques for conducting patient assessment and documentation of the resultant clinical findings.

This course introduces students to basic respiratory care treatments and support modalities; set up, use and troubleshooting of equipment; concepts related to the therapeutic administration of oxygen & aerosol therapy in respiratory care and concepts & techniques surrounding sampling and proper handling and transport of arterial blood gases. Focus is placed on adherence to techniques ensuring appropriate infection control practices and patient safety. Students will learn to conduct physical and clinical exams and patient assessments to determine and develop appropriate and effective treatment plans.

This laboratory course introduces students to the application of non-invasive respiratory care treatments and support modalities, and set up, use and troubleshooting required equipment.

This course introduces students to the study of pharmacological principles related to the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The course includes a study of the anatomy and basic function of the central and peripheral nervous systems, principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on particular body systems. Inhaled bronco-active aerosols and other agents commonly employed in the care of the cardiopulmonary patient are discussed.

This course begins with a study of the fundamental techniques and protocols required to conduct a thorough patient assessment. Included in this course is a discussion on the various non-invasive and invasive tests that are involved in determining the presence of various cardio-pulmonary diseases and disorders. Etiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, management and prognosis of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases will be the major emphasis of this course.

This course is a continuation of Respiratory Procedures I and introduces students to advanced respiratory care treatments and support modalities, set-up, use and troubleshooting required equipment and the RT?s role in performing and assisting with special procedures. Focus is placed on achieving understanding of the application of specific modalities to clinical scenarios, assessing effectiveness of treatment, modification of treatment based on clinical indication and patient response and operating principles of equipment used.

This laboratory course introduces students to set- up, use and troubleshooting of required equipment and the RT?s role in performing and assisting with special procedures.

This course begins with a study of the fundamental techniques and protocols required to conduct a thorough patient assessment. Included in this course is a discussion on the various non-invasive and invasive tests that are involved in determining the presence of various cardio-pulmonary diseases and disorders. Etiology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, management and prognosis of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases will be the major emphasis of this course.

This course is a study of pulmonary diagnostic testing techniques & interpretation for procedures occurring in the PFT laboratory, at the bedside, special procedures imaging departments, pathology and clinical laboratory departments. An emphasis will be placed on how information from various diagnostic tests and studies (such as pulmonary function testing and clinical lab findings) are used to determine the presence, extent, and progression of lung disease and abnormality and also how these findings are utilized to develop an on-going plan of care for the patient.

This laboratory course introduces students to pulmonary diagnostic testing techniques and interpretation for procedures occurring in the PFT laboratory, and at the bedside.

This course prepares students to begin training in the clinical environment. Topics in this course will include professional ethics and communication skills for students; orientation to charting techniques. HIPAA training, The Joint Commission topics related to patient safety initiatives and professionalism in the health care environment. Focus is also placed on issues surrounding universal precautions, blood-born pathogen safety, infection control, dealing with death and dying and diverse populations. During this course all students will complete pre-clinical health exam, immunizations, TB and drug screening. Additionally, each student will receive certification in American Heart Association health care provider CPR and Fire Safety Training.

This course is a study of the basic principles of mechanical ventilation, the effects of positive pressure ventilation and classification of mechanical ventilators. Conventional modes of ventilation are compared and contrasted with attention to waveform analysis within these modes. A case study approach is utilized to discuss concepts of initiation of mechanical ventilation, appropriate ventilator management, weaning criteria, determination of appropriateness to wean and clinical application of pharmacotherapy for the mechanically ventilated patient. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is also addressed.

This laboratory course introduces students to the basic principles of mechanical ventilation (both invasive and non-invasive), selection, assembly and testing of the equipment. Additionally, students will practice determining initial ventilator settings, clinical application of pharmacotherapy, assessing appropriateness to wean and discontinuation of mechanical ventilation.

This course is a study of fetal development of the cardiopulmonary system, respiratory care of neonatal and pediatric patients, as well as causes and treatment of respiratory illnesses. Students will gain an understanding of patient evaluation, monitoring and therapeutic modalities seen with common neonatal and pediatric disorders, including respiratory distress syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, common respiratory infections in the infant and pediatric population and pediatric trauma.

This course is a study of fetal development of the cardiopulmonary system, respiratory care of neonatal and pediatric patients, as well as causes and treatment of respiratory illnesses. Students will gain an understanding of patient evaluation, monitoring and therapeutic modalities seen with common neonatal and pediatric disorders, including respiratory distress syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, common respiratory infections in the infant and pediatric population and pediatric trauma.

This course is a study of information gathering techniques, critical decision-making processes, clinical case applications and development of cardiopulmonary care plans. An emphasis will be placed on interpretation of clinical lab findings, imaging, pulmonary function testing, management of cadiopulmonary pathophysiology, and application of advanced cardiopulmonary therapies.

This course is intended as a final preparation for graduation and attempting the NBRC exams (both TMC and CSE).  Students will review subject matter in all major core areas of the respiratory care program.  Summary assessment exams will be administered as required, prior to a final exit examination.

This course is an introduction to the clinical environment and begins with an orientation to the hospital/respiratory department in policies, procedures, equipment storage location and handling. Students will gain hands on experience in infection control policy and procedures, selection and assembly of basic respiratory care equipment for the purposes of administering oxygen therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy and broncho-active aerosol therapy. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills of patient assessment, observation, modification of therapy, development of patient care plans and documentation to the patient care record. Students will gain competency in the areas of non-invasive pulmonary hygiene, lung expansion therapy, airway clearance techniques. The student will also develop skills in patient/family education on a variety of therapies and topics in respiratory care. During this practicum, students will complete chart reviews in order to demonstrate familiarity with locating and collecting patient data from the medical record. Students will also present a case study in order to demonstrate the integration of didactic theory with clinical skills.

This course is a continuation of the clinical experience from RTCP210 and begins with an orientation to the hospital/respiratory department in policies, procedures, equipment storage location and handling. Students will gain competency in the areas of diagnostic testing carried out in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, CT, MRI and Radiology departments. The student will also develop skills necessary to safely transport patients between departments within the hospital environment. Students will practice skills necessary to safely obtain arterial blood gases, transport and analyze samples and interpret and report results. Students will practice skills necessary to safely secure the patient airway and obtain arterial blood gases from indwelling arterial catheters.  During this practicum, students will complete chart reviews in order to demonstrate familiarity with locating and collecting patient data from the medical record. Students will also present a case study in order to demonstrate the integration of didactic theory with clinical skills.

This course is a continuation of the clinical experience from RTCP 212 and begins with an orientation to the hospital / respiratory department in terms of policies, procedures, equipment storage location and handling. Students will gain competency in the management of critically ill patients including adult, neonatal and pediatric patients. Students will practice skills necessary to safely place and secure the patient airway, to obtain arterial blood gases via arterial puncture as and from indwelling arterial catheters, to provide patient / family education on a variety of therapies and topics in respiratory care and to communicate effectively within to the members of the patient care team. Students will gain competency in the initiation, management and weaning of the critically ill patient from a wide range of ventilator support. Students will present a clinical research paper by the end of this practicum in order to demonstrate the integration of didactic theory, clinical experience and research skills in a written format.