Respiratory Therapist Program Code 105151

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in a hospital, nursing home, and homecare setting as a:

. Staff Therapist

. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist

. Perinatal/Pediatric Therapist

. Pulmonary Function Technologist

. Sleep Disorder Center Technician

. Shift Supervisor

. Department Manager

. Home Care Therapist/Manager

. Nursing Home Therapist

. Respiratory Care Educator

. Medical Equipment and Supplies Sales Representative

Program Outcomes

. Apply respiratory therapy concepts to patient care situations.
. Practice respiratory therapy according to established professional and ethical standards.
. Demonstrate technical proficiency required to fulfill the role of a Respiratory Therapist.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Clinical Experience

Students will be required to purchase a uniform, pay for liability insurance, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances, participate in p.m. clinicals, or weekend rotations.

Accreditation

The Respiratory Therapist program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835

Board/Certification Examinations

Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Credentialing Examinations.

Requirements for Program Application

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Admission Assessment or equivalent or ACT assessment taken within the last three years. (For a list of equivalents, please contact a counselor.)
. Two semesters in high school, or one semester in college of the following: Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and Advanced Math (or Physics). All required course grades must be completed with a "C" or better.
. Applicants with documentation of completion of General Anatomy and Physiology, with a "B" or better, will receive priority standing among that year's applicant pool.

Requirements for Program Entry

. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary or the minimum standard composite score of 20 on the ACT (minimum of Math 18, Reading 21, English 21) must be achieved. Students must receive the following scores prior to program entry. Reading Comprehension: 90; Arithmetic: 90; Sentence Skills: 94; Algebra: 60. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation may be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
. Attend mandatory spring program orientation.
. Complete physical examination within three months before entering program and maintain current immunization information.
. Complete an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements.
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. A four hour job shadow is strongly encouraged.

Curriculum

The Respiratory Therapist Associate Degree is a two-year, one-summer, five-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 70 credits.

Summer semester core classes are scheduled to begin mid-May and end mid-July.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

FOURTH SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than a "C" is acceptable in any of the courses marked with an asterisk. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-501-101 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ...focuses on the component parts of medical terms: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

10-515-111 RESPIRATORY THERAPY SURVEY ...examines the role of the Respiratory Therapist within the healthcare community. Reviews the ethical, legal, and regulatory principles that guide practice across diverse populations. Introductory patient assessment and critical thinking processes used in the development of respiratory care plans are explored. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Respiratory Therapy program)

10-515-112 RESPIRATORY AIRWAY MANAGEMENT ...provides a comprehensive exploration of airway management concepts and skills. (Prerequisites: 10-515-172, Respiratory Therapeutics 2; 10-515-174, Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology; 10-515-175, Respiratory Clinical 1)

10-515-113 RESPIRATORY LIFE SUPPORT ...focuses on management of adult ventilatory support. (Prerequisites: 10-515-172, Respiratory Therapeutics 2; 10-515-174, Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology; 10-515-175, Respiratory Clinical 1)

10-515-164 CLINICAL SIMULATION REVIEW ...diagnosis, management, and treatment received by cardiopulmonary patients. This course prepares students for the testing processes utilized by the National Board for Respiratory Care; all testing processes will be reviewed utilizing appropriate content. (Corequisites: 10-515-182, Respiratory Clinical 4; 10-515-183, Respiratory Clinical 5)

10-515-171 RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTICS 1 ...introduces the topics of medical gas administration and humidity and aerosol therapy. The learner will apply physics, math and patient assessment concepts to oxygen, aerosol and humidity. (Prerequisites: 10-515-111, Respiratory Therapy Survey; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology)

10-515-172 RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTICS 2 ...introduces therapeutic procedures including arterial puncture, bronchial hygiene, lung expansion therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. (Prerequisite: 10-515-171, Respiratory Therapeutics 1)

10-515-173 RESPIRATORY PHARMACOLOGY ...examines basic pharmacology principles, drug dosage, and calculations. Medications for inhalation including mucolytivs, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories. Also includes cardiac drugs, anesthetic drugs, neuromuscular blockers and antimicobials. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology)

10-515-174 RESPIRATORY/CARDIAC PHYSIOLOGY ...provides the student with an in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of the respiratory and circulatory systems necessary to function as a competent Respiratory Therapist. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology)

10-515-175 RESPIRATORY CLINICAL 1 ...introduces respiratory therapy practice in the hospital setting. Includes the development of skills such as basic therapeutics, patient assessment, medical record review, safety practices, patient interaction and communication. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical learners must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 5 (required and/or simulated) competencies. The instructor may identify specific competencies to be addressed during this or any clinical. (Prerequisites: 10-515-170, Respiratory Therapy Survey; 10-515-171, Respiratory Therapeutics 1; Corequisites: 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-515-172 Respiratory Therapeutics 2)

10-515-176 RESPIRATORY DISEASE ...exploration of signs, symptoms, causes, progression and treatment of obstructive, restrictive and infectious diseases or disorder of the body that affect the respiratory system. (Prerequisites: 10-515-111, Respiratory Therapy Survey; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology)

10-515-178 RESPIRATORY CLINICAL 2 ...continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical learners must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 12 (required and/or simulated) competencies. (Prerequisite: 10-515-175, Respiratory Clinical 1)

10-515-179 RESPIRATORY CLINICAL 3 ...continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical learners must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 19 (required and/or simulated) competencies. (Corequisite: 10-515-178, Respiratory Clinical 2)

10-515-180 RESPIRATORY NEO/PEDS CARE ...provides a comprehensive orientation to the field of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care to include fetal development, birth, neonatal physiology, pulmonary dynamics, abnormal cardiopulmonary conditions, diseases, noninvasive and invasive therapeutic interventions. (Prerequisite: 10-515-113, Respiratory Life Support)

10-515-181 RESPIRATORY/CARDIO DIAGNOSTICS ...advanced invasive and noninvasive diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures including pulmonary function, hemodynamics and rescue medicine. (Prerequisites: 10-515-173, Respiratory Pharmacology; 10-515-176, Respiratory Disease; 10-515-113, Respiratory Life Support)

10-515-182 RESPIRATORY CLINICAL 4 ...continued development of Respiratory Therapy clinical skills including respiratory therapeutics. Focuses on monitoring, analyzing and interpreting data to make appropriate modifications in patient care. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical learners must demonstrate competence in a minimum of 26 (required and/or simulated) competencies. (Prerequisite: 10-515-179, Respiratory Clinical 3)

10-515-183 RESPIRATORY CLINICAL 5 ...focuses on the completion of respiratory therapy competencies and transition to employment. This course includes the complete program competency list. At the completion of this clinical learners must demonstrate competence in all of the (required and required/simulated) competencies. (Corequisite: 10-515-182, Respiratory Clinical 4)

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.

10-806-177 GENERAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY ...overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry OR 10-806-155, Chemistry-Basic OR High School Chemistry with a "C" or better OR College Chemistry transfer credit with a grade of "C" or better) 4 cr.

10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. 3 cr.

10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. 3 cr.

10-806-197 MICROBIOLOGY ...history, morphology, physiology, nutritional growth requirements, metabolism, methods of identification. Focus on disease-causing microorganisms, appropriate prevention, treatment, control mechanisms. Specific/non-specific host defense mechanisms, applications of immunology examined. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology, with a "C" or better.) 4 cr.

10-809-196 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY ...the nature and variety of groups; inequality, race and ethnicity; family, population, social integration, and change; collective behavior; politics, economics, religion, education, and the effects of technology. 3 cr.

10-809-172 RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY ...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. 3 cr.