Respiratory Therapy Orientation

This course is a self-paced course designed to provide students entering the Respiratory Therapy program with the necessary preparation to attend lectures, laboratory, and clinical courses.

Cardiopulmonary Physiology and Pathologies

This course is designed to explore advanced functions of the cardiopulmonary system by building upon previous knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. The course expands on the physiological processes of ventilation, gaseous diffusion, gaseous transport, the relationship between the pulmonary and systemic circulations, and how acid-base balance is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Students will compare and contrast normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology and examine the interrelationship between abnormal findings and disease.

Respiratory Therapy Equipment and Procedures I

This course is designed to introduce the student to basic patient assessment, medical gases, equipment used to deliver cardiopulmonary medications, equipment used to provide basic therapies, and procedures used in respiratory therapy. 

Respiratory Therapy Equipment and Procedures II

This course expands on the use of equipment used to provide airway clearance therapies, artificial airways, the care of patients with artificial airways, and procedures used in respiratory therapy. 

Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology

This course is designed for the Respiratory Therapy student.  Major emphasis will be given to cardiac, cardiovascular, and pulmonary drugs.  Specific drugs in these categories will be addressed in terms of action, indication, possible allergic reactions and contraindications.

Assessment in Respiratory Care

This course is designed to build upon basic assessment skills. Development of advanced skills is done through incorporating diverse techniques used when completing physical examinations, gathering data, making decisions and providing recommendations in the care of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. This process is done through analyzing data, deciphering significant clinical findings, discussing effective communication methods and collaboratively formulating a plan of care.

Critical Care Life Support Equipment and Procedures

This course explores advanced concepts of respiratory therapy equipment and therapeutic procedures with emphasis on complex principles of equipment operation and care, quality control and advanced therapeutic techniques as employed in the critical care environment.  Special emphasis is placed on life support systems.  Variations in ventilation oxygenation and current weaning techniques are discussed for various disease entities.

Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Care

This course is designed to familiarize the respiratory therapy student with the basic knowledge necessary to care for pediatric and neonatal patient populations and become a neonatal resuscitation provider.

Invasive and Noninvasive Cardiopulmonary Monitoring

This course is designed to provide theory and hands-on practice in various means of monitoring the patient in the acute care setting.  An introductory level of advanced modes of ventilation, principles of weaning from mechanical ventilation as well as monitoring the cardiovascular system with capnography, electrocardiography and hemodynamic monitoring in the critical care setting will be presented.

Respiratory Therapy Home Care Techniques

This course will provide the student with a review of various apparatuses utilized by patients in their home.  This will include home oxygen therapy modalities, home sterilization techniques and home ventilator life support systems.

Clinical Practicum I

This course is designed to practice basic respiratory therapy procedures and general patient assessment in the general care environment.  Included in the supervised experiences are laboratory and physical assessment, oxygen therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy and general medication delivery by inhalation.

Clinical Practicum II

This course is designed to practice general respiratory therapy procedures and pulmonary assessment in the acute care hospital environment.  Included in the supervised experiences are oxygen, aerosol and medication delivery therapy, chest physiotherapy techniques, hyperinflation therapy, airway care techniques and mechanical ventilation management with both acute and critical care patients.  Pulmonary assessment, monitoring and pathophysiology are applied to modify appropriate patient care management.

Clinical Practicum III

This course provides practice in advanced respiratory procedures and therapeutic techniques in the critical care environment.  Therapeutic management of critical pulmonary patients is practiced under direct instructor supervision.  Assessment of patient pulmonary status by the student is required prior to the convening of clinical.

Clinical Practicum IV

This course provides practice in advanced cardiopulmonary specialty techniques including the care of neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients in the hospital environment or simulation lab under direct supervision of specialty experts.

Advanced Critical Care Life Support Equipment and Procedures

Provides an analytical framework through which students will expand their knowledge of respiratory diseases, diagnostic procedures, and symptom management. Includes detailed assessment of cardiopulmonary diseases, performance of diagnostic testing, medical interventions, and analysis of treatment benefits.

Sleep Medicine and Respiratory Care

Prepares students to apply polysomnography to diagnose sleep disorders. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to the normal development of sleep patterns and demonstrate the ability to identify specific sleep disorders as well as score sleep stages and respiratory patterns. Emphasis is placed on pediatric and adult assessment, monitoring, and sleep disorders.

Advanced Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology

Advanced concepts of cellular dysfunction that result in cardiopulmonary and neurologic diseases that impair the cardiopulmonary system and treatments that return the human body to a state of homeostasis. Analyze case studies of critically ill patients with multi-organ system dysfunction and recommend therapeutic interventions.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Prepares students to apply pulmonary medicine as an advanced pulmonary function testing (PFT) practitioner. The student will learn about roles of the PFT specialist, infection control and patient safety, pulmonary physiology and functions, monitoring of the patient, and the use of diagnostic and treatment equipment and options.

Advanced Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care

Advanced concepts of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Pediatric, infant, and neonatal physiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, management and treatment in acute and critical care are emphasized, including care during high-risk procedures, and advanced critical care life support strategies. Students will formulate patient care plans and application of specific respiratory care modalities for neonatal and pediatric patients.

Respiratory Care Leadership and Management

Leadership and management theories in effective practices in the healthcare setting. Focuses on introducing roles and responsibilities of a leader and manager. Emphasis is placed on development of skills in leadership, communication, and critical thinking that facilitates positive change, and growth within the Respiratory Care profession. Specific attention is focused on the role of the transformational leader in assuring value, efficiency, and continuous quality improvement.

Respiratory Case Management

This course focuses on the role of the Respiratory Care Case Manager, describing how to facilitate, integrate, and coordinate the transition of patients through the progression of disease. Students will learn how to maintain patient confidentiality, advocate for patient rights, and provide ethical and legal guidance for patients in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Professionalism, Career Preparation, and Respiratory Care Capstone Project

This course prepares the student for a career in Respiratory Therapy. Topics in professionalism, ethics, life-long learning and preparation for state licensure and professional exams are explored by the student. Students are invited to create a professional resume and cover letter. Students will design a capstone project that reflects their interest and passion in respiratory health.

Respiratory Therapist Board Exam Preparation 

The student will review all areas of Respiratory Therapy as preparation for the Respiratory Therapy advanced level credentialing examinations.  Emphasis will be given to credentialing examination matrices.

Health Communication

Critical exploration of health communication concepts, theories, research methods, cases, and other practices applied in addressing real-world health issues, administration, and decision-making. Addresses health communication approaches in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion and behavior change campaigns.

Public Health Policy

Exploration of public health policy, examining core topics in the study of health and health care delivery. Diverse perspectives on health care policy will be examined from an interdisciplinary approach. Students will develop an understanding of fundamental ideas and problems in the areas of health and medical care.

Global Health

Explore health issues and concerns that transcend national borders, class, race, ethnicity and culture, and use analytic reasoning to research science-based, interventions to resolve these issues.

Multicultural Human Relations

Engages students in an evolving process of developing greater self and cultural awareness that will help inform how they work with communities specific to various professional settings. Utilizes a psychosocial perspective to explore various counseling theoretical frameworks that strive for greater cultural competency as a practitioner. Examination of intersectionality such as ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, and generational identity.

Health Care Research Design and Methodology

Analysis of research design and methodology in health care and health sciences. Emphasis will include research evaluation and interpretation of results, design methodology, the planning and approval process, data collection and analysis, and communication and presentation of the results.

Biomedical Ethics

Value judgments upon which medicine is based and the ethical issues which medicine faces.