RTH 301: Introduction to Respiratory Care (3 credits)

An overview of the respiratory care profession and its function within the medical community and the healthcare team. Topics include medical terminology, history and development of the profession, an introduction to the healthcare system, legal aspects of healthcare, professional ethics, multi-cultural health communication and patient-therapist interaction.

RTH 305: Basic Procedures (6 credits)

This course emphasizes the theory and practice of current respiratory care modalities including basic monitoring and testing techniques. Topics include infection control; aerosol and humidity therapy; medical gas therapy; cardiopulmonary pharmacology; physical assessment; volume expansion and bronchial hygiene therapy; airway management; and arterial blood gasses.

RTH 307: Basic Procedures Laboratory (1 credit)

Laboratory practice in the basic respiratory care modalities, and the testing and monitoring procedures covered in RTH 301, RTH 305, RTH 335. Equipment assembly, disassembly, operation and troubleshooting are emphasized. Basic physical assessment skills and communication skills are also practiced. Clinical observation rotations are scheduled to help the student prepare for Clinical Practicum I. Skill proficiency tests are conducted to prepare students for clinical experience.

RTH 320: Clinical Practicum I (3 credits)

Supervised clinical experience in the therapeutic modalities and procedures covered in RTH 305 and RTH 307. Proficiency in each area is required to progress in the program. Meets 16 hours per week, 2 days per week.

RTH 411: Respiratory Care in Alternate Sites (2 credits)

This course covers respiratory care in the outpatient, long-term care, and home-care settings. Patient populations addressed range from infants to elderly. Topics include discharge planning, psychosocial implications of chronic pulmonary disease, disease management, pulmonary rehabilitation, reimbursement issues, and patient education. Communication and physical assessment skills are emphasized.

RTH 420: Professional Seminar (2 credits)

This course contains three components: (1) Identification of student learning needs and general review in preparation for comprehensive program and credentialing examinations; (2) complete and discuss sample credentialing exams; (3) medical ethical issues. Students will research areas of learning needs. Sample credentialing examinations and clinical simulation computer software are used for comprehensive review.

RTH 427: Human Diseases II (2 credits)

A study of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and management of various diseases in the adult. Disorders covered include renal, genetic, endocrine, neurological, hematological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and liver diseases. Essential mechanisms of disordered physiological function and rationale for therapy are emphasized.

RTH 430: Clinical Practicum II (5 credits)

Supervised clinical experience in the therapeutic modalities and procedures cover in RTH 436 and RTH 438 (adult critical care and pulmonary function). Proficiency in each area is required to progress in the program. Participation in the American Lung Association’s Asthma Camp is required. Meets in the summer session 40 hours per week for 6 weeks.

RTH 438: Ventilator/Critical Care Laboratory (1 credit)

Laboratory practice in the operation, testing, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive monitoring equipment, continuous positive airway pressure systems, hemodynamic monitoring equipment, and chest drainage systems. Skill proficiency tests are conducted to prepare students for critical care clinical experiences.

RTH 441: Clinical Practicum III (8 credits)

Supervised clinical experience in adult intensive care, pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care, hemodynamic monitoring, cardiology, pulmonary reconditioning, home respiratory care and medical rounds with the program medical director are included. Meets 40 hours per week, 5 days per week for eight weeks.

RTH 526: Human Diseases I (4 credits)

A study of the diagnosis, treatment and management of cardiopulmonary disorders in the adult. Emphasis is placed on understanding the essential mechanisms of disordered function and the rationale for therapeutic intervention.

RTH 535: Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology (6 credits)

This course focuses on the application of cardiopulmonary and renal physiological concepts in the clinical setting. Physiological compensatory mechanisms and the interactive role of the cardiopulmonary and renal systems are covered. Emphasis is placed on using theoretical concepts to guide interpretation of physiological data (such as blood gases and calculations of various physiological indices) and to solve hypothetical clinical problems.

RTH 536: Critical Respiratory Care (5 credits)

This course focuses primarily on managing and monitoring mechanically assisted ventilation in the adult in the intensive acute care setting. Areas of inquiry include: (1) determination of the need for mechanical ventilatory assistance, (2) beneficial and adverse effects of mechanical ventilatory assistance in various pathologies, (3) implementation, management, and the monitoring of mechanical ventilatory assistance, and (4) the general operating principles and capabilities of mechanical ventilators. Emphasis is placed on using physical assessment skills and various physiological monitoring data to guide the management of the critically ill patient.

RTH 616: Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care (3 credits)

This course focuses on respiratory care practice unique to pediatric and newborn populations. Topics covered include developmental anatomy and physiology, congenital anomalies and problems of prematurity that affect cardiopulmonary function, diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases, newborn intensive care, mechanical ventilation and physiologic monitoring. Unique aspects of neonatal mechanical ventilators are covered in a laboratory setting.

RTH 618: Departmental Leadership (2 credits)

An overview of leadership focusing on the traits every leader should develop, and the impact leadership can have on your profession. Career development is also discussed; concentrating on job searching, resume writing, and interviewing skills.

RTH 622: Clinical Cardiopulmonary Assessment (5 credits)

This course emphasizes the integration of physical findings, the patient interview, the medical record, and diagnostic testing data in the assessment of cardiopulmonary status. Development of an assessment based respiratory care plan and its systematic evaluation is a major focus. Diagnostic testing areas include basic laboratory and electrocardiogram interpretation, advanced pulmonary function testing and chest x-ray interpretation. Case studies are used.

RTH 628: Respiratory Care Specialty Capstone (8 credits)

Each student chooses one of three major specialty areas in which to concentrate for this spring capstone experience: (1) a patient care or diagnostic area; (2) an education focus, i.e. respiratory care classroom/lab/clinical teaching and testing; (3) a management focus, i.e. respiratory care departmental management and leadership experiences. The course is completed over the last eight weeks of the final semester and includes practical experience. The research project identified in the prior semester (RTH 650) culminates in a written scientific paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

RTH 650: Research in Respiratory Care (2 credits)

This course focuses on the importance of research and evidence-based medicine in the field of respiratory therapy, and the basic knowledge needed to critically evaluate published research. Several reflection papers and a research proposal, complete with a literature review are course requirements. Students gain experience in identifying and developing appropriate research questions, developing research hypotheses, and writing a formal research proposal for approval by the Institutional Review Board. Work on the research project extends into the spring term as part of the student’s RTH 628 capstone experience.

RTH 652: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 credits)

This course offers an overview of various health related topics, including the illness-wellness continuum, the dimensions of health and the health promotion process. Students are introduced to strategies for incorporating health promotion into their professional and personal lives. Emphasis is placed on development of health promotion practices that can be incorporated into a community setting.

IPE 501: Interprofessionalism in Healthcare (1 credit)

This course will be offered in a blended format and will address health science students’ development of inter-professional skill, behaviors, and attitudes that will be used in their practices to make sound decisions for patients through the decisions of a healthcare team. Areas common to all practices such as ethics, moral courage, diversity, and communication will be covered. Ample opportunities for students to practice inter-professional communication and decision making will be provided via small inter-professional group experiences.