Respiratory TherapyAdmission ProceduresProgram Description:The Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Respiratory Therapy program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare graduates to assist physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Conditions requiring respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, infant respiratory distress syndrome, and conditions brought on by trauma and postoperative surgical complications. Respiratory Therapists treat a diverse group of patients ranging from newborn and children to adult and the elderly. Length of Program: A minimum of five (5) semesters is required to complete the RESP Occupational Core Courses. Entrance Dates: Students may take pre-respiratory occupational courses at any time. Each summer a new group of students is selected to begin the professional respiratory courses in the upcoming fall semester. Program Admission Requirements:
Admission Selection Process:Admission selection is competitive and each applicant is awarded points for the following.
The Respiratory Care Professional (RCP) is a caregiver with the responsibility of providing life supporting therapies and diagnostic services. Implied in this care giving role are essential job functions that require the RCP to demonstrate certain cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills. The performance of these job functions must be consistent with the expectation that the RCP must not place himself/herself, a fellow worker, or the patient in jeopardy. The purpose of the following is to identify the essential functional requirements of the RCP in the categories of visual acuity, hearing, physical ability, speech, manual dexterity, and mental stress. The examples below are not all inclusive. Physical Standards for Respiratory Care Professionals:The respiratory student must be able to:
Mental/Attitudinal Standards for Respiratory Care Professionals:The Respiratory Therapists must:
Additional Requirements:
Associate of Applied ScienceThis program is a five semester sequence. The program will allow students to achieve respiratory care skill sets mandated by the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC). The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to function as an advanced level Respiratory Care Professional. After successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) entry-level exam, and upon successful completion of that examination, may then take the advanced level exam of the NBRC. Upon passing the entry-level exam and meeting all requirements for the Georgia State license, the graduate may be licensed in the state of Georgia as a Respiratory Care Professional by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners of Georgia.
Note: Respiratory Therapy Majors may exempt BIOL 1107 as a prerequisite for BIOL 2212.CoursesRESP 1100. Introduction to Respiratory Care. 3 Units.
This course introduces students to the Respiratory Care profesion and the skills needed to become a Respiratory Therapist. Topics will include the history of the Respiratory Care profesion, a discusion of the future of Respiratory Care, a description of the organization of a hospital Respiratory Care department, an overview of common modalities and specialized areas of Respiratory Care including an introduction to Therapist driven protocols and clinical practice guidelines, a discusion of job opportunities and areas for advancement within the profesion, an overview of legal and ethical isues impacting Health Care, and particularly Respiratory Care, in today's Health Care environment. Universal precautions and OSHA blood and body fluids precautions will be presented. The functions of the NBRC, AARC, CoARC, and the Georgia Medical Board will be examined and the credentialing and licensing proceses outlined. Specific terminology and abbreviations needed by the respiratory profesion will be developed. Mastery of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation will be expected of the student during this course. RESP 1111. Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 4 Units.
This course introduces the principles and practices of Non Critical Respiratory Care. The course will emphasize Therapist Driven Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines. Basic Respiratory Care skills in modalities such as oxygen, humidity, bland aerosol, medicated aerosols, passive hyperinflation, chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, airway clearance therapies, arterial blood gases and bedside pulmonary function studies will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on setting up, using and troubleshooting equipment, and on the physical and physiologic principles of gas exchange, ventilation, acid base balance and gas laws. The application of basic physical principles involving the properties of matter, thermodynamics, and mechanics as it relates to respiratory practices and equipment will be explored in class and lab. To progress to RESP 1121, each student will be required to successfully complete and pass a Lab competency exam. Basic math competency is required. Students may be required to demonstrate proficiency in basic math skills for progression in the program. RESP 1121. Clinical Practicum I . 5 Units.
An introduction to respiratory care of the non-critically ill Patient in the clinical environment. An emphasis will be placed on departmental protocols, clinical practice guidelines, patient identification, and communication skills The student will be required to master the following modalities: oxygen therapy, humidity therapy, bland continuous aerosol therapy, medicated nebulizer therapy, passive hyperinflation, chest physiotherapy and postural drainage, arterial blood gas draws and analysis, equipment cleaning and environmental therapy. Basic airway management, and bedside pulmonary function testing will also be explored. Equipment theory and application will be reinforced. RESP 1131. Patient Assessment and Protocols. 4 Units.
This course introduces the concepts and techniques of patient assessment through inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The student will demonstrate proficiency in patient physical examination, and taking a complete patient medical history. Principles of barrier protection for blood and body fluid exposures, and isolation precautions will be emphasized. Basic chest x-ray interpretation, basic ECG monitoring, basic laboratory values such as CBC, electrolytes, and basic microbiology are presented. Assessment of critically ill patients is introduced. Each student will be required to successfully complete a Lab competency examination in order to progress to RESP 1121. RESP 1132. Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology. 3 Units.
A general pharmacology course for the respiratory care professional caring for the acute and sub-acute patient. Emphasis will be placed on the indications, contraindications, hazards, and routes of administration for the drugs discussed. The pharmacology of the major therapeutic classes of drugs important to respiratory care will be presented. RESP 1133. Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology. 3 Units.
A study of normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology of the cardiac, pulmonary, and renal systems. The mechanisms of homeostatic control for acid/base balance, ventilation, gas transport, and circulation will be addressed. Hemodynamic monitoring will be emphasized. RESP 2110. Mechanical Ventilation and Critical Care. 4 Units.
This course introduces the critical care modalities of airway management and positive pressure ventilation including tracheal suctioning, endotracheal intubation, and tracheostomy care. Concepts of mechanical ventilation are presented. Other critical care skills such as arterial lines, hemodynamic monitoring, advanced patient monitoring, bronchoscopy, and tracheostomy are presented. Basic math skills are required for this course. Each student will be required to successfully pass a lab competency exam in order to progress to RESP 2210. RESP 2121. Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care. 2 Units.
This course presents the physiological and clinical concepts of mechanical ventilation and critical care monitoring of the pediatric and neonatal patient. The course focuses on respiratory care modalities and concepts specifically related to the pediatric and neonatal patient. Some topics include: ventilator design and function, assessment and monitoring of pediatric/neonatal patients, techniques for improving ventilation oxygenation, weaning strategies, and labor and delivery. Critical thinking skills will be emphasized to support the application of neonatal/pediatric physician and therapist driven protocols. RESP 2130. Specialized Areas of Respiratory Care. 2 Units.
This course surveys the important principles and practices of respiratory care in the following specialty areas: Pulmonary Function Testing, Polysomnography and Sleep Disorders, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Geriatric Care, and Home Care. Students will apply the knowledge learned in this course in Practicum III.RESP 2201. Clinical Practicum IA 0-11-3Co-requisites: RESP 2110, RESP 2310.This course is a continuation of Clinical Practicum I and a bridge to Clinical Practicum II. Emphasis will be placed on refining skills and care for the non-critical patient with a gradual development of skills and competencies to care for ventilator dependent patients. Students will apply skills they will be learning in RESP 2110. Students will be required to present clinical case studies on major cardiopulmonary pathologies in conjunction with studies in RESP 2310. RESP 2201. Clinical Practicum IA. 3 Units.
This course is a continuation of Clinical Practicum I and a bridge to Clinical Practicum II. Emphasis will be placed on refining skills and care for the non-critical patient with a gradual development of skills and competencies to care for ventilator dependent patients. Students will apply skills they will be learning in RESP 2110. Students will be required to present clinical case studies on major cardiopulmonary pathologies in conjunction with studies in RESP 2310. RESP 2210. Clinical Practicum II. 5 Units.
This course is a continuation of RESP 1121 and RESP 2201. Emphasis will be placed on departmental protocols and clinical practice guidelines. Students will care for adult critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Mastery of active hyperinflation therapies, chest physiotherapy, arterial blood punctures and analysis, and concepts of airway management and mechanical ventilation is expected. The student will be required to attend a competency workshop and to successfully demonstrate intubations and ventilator competency. Students will be required to complete weekly logs and case studies as part of this course. RESP 2220. Clinical Practicum III. 5 Units.
Practicum to support content presented in RESP 2121 and RESP 2130. Practical experiences will occur in proportion to emphasis placed on the cognitive content in the companion courses. This course may also provide an opportunity for accelerated or advance students to explore additional clinical experiences outside the usual program scope. Emphasis will be placed on the neonatal/pediatric intensive care patient, pulmonary function studies and sleep studies. RESP 2310. Cardiopulmonary Disease and Treatment. 3 Units.
A survey course of the clinical pathophysiology of selected cardiopulmonary diseases. The emphasis will be placed on the description of the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapeutics, and prognosis of acute and chronic diseases of the cardiopulmonary patient. Student will be required to present clinical case studies on the major cardiopulmonary pathologies. RESP 2330. Credential Preparation. 1 Unit.
This course will focus on a review of essential concepts of Respiratory Care with emphasis on content examined by the NBRC entry level and advanced level examinations. Critical thinking skills will be reinforced through presentation and discussion of case studies. Surveys of clinical research literature, and journal articles will be examined. Each student must take and successfully pass the NBRC Self Assessment Exam as a requirement for passing the course, and for graduation from the program. |
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