Theoretical and protocol based applications of, indications for, and assessment of efficacy and patient response to basic respiratory care modalities in the cardiopulmonary compromised patient population. Includes such therapeutic modalities as: O2/gas therapy, aerosol and humidity therapy, bronchial hygiene, and hyperinflation therapy. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Study of cardiac, pulmonary and renal structure and function with emphasis on physiology as applied to the practice of respiratory care. This includes the integrated functions of ventilation, respiration, gas transport and acid base regulation. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Introduction to the role of a respiratory therapist in the hospital setting as a member of a health care team. Includes professional behavior, ethics, legalities, communications, medical terminology, medical charts and cardiopulmonary assessment. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Anatomy and physiology of the nervous system as applied to the pharmacodynamics of bronchodilation and the effects various drugs have on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems is emphasized. Indications, dosages, routes of administration, contraindications, adverse effects and dose calculations will be discussed. Clinical simulation, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Applied microbiology and infection control practices related to the hospital environment, respiratory care modalities, and equipment. OSHA and JCAHO infection control practices, including health care practitioners screening tests and risk factors and an understanding of all hospital isolation techniques, will be presented. The basic sciences, ethical and legal issues in the practice of Respiratory Care will also be taught.

Introduction to basic equipment: design, function, troubleshooting and care of respiratory therapy devices and circuitry used to deliver therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, bronchial hygiene, hyperinflation modalities. Professionalism, communication techniques, monitoring will be practiced in conjunction with laboratory simulated hospital procedures and situations. Basic CPR certification and all proficiency testing of clinical procedures will be done. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Introduction to the hospital setting and the set-up, maintenance and discontinuation of oxygen; aerosol and humidity therapy; intermittent modalities to include bronchial hygiene and hyperinflation therapies. Clinical simulations, tutorials and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Supervised clinical course with an introduction to airway management techniques, basic ventilator care techniques, pediatric respiratory care and refinement of floor therapy skills with acute patients. Clinical simulations, tutorials and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Acute and chronic respiratory and cardiac pathological processes and their associated renal complications and compensations: diagnostic testing including arterial blood gasses, basic radiographic interpretation, pulmonary function studies, interpretation of laboratory studies, treatment and prevention of disease processes. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Introduction to hospital specific policies and procedures, continuation of application and practice of respiratory care modalities, now applied to the critically ill patient. Emphasis on airway management, mechanical ventilators, circuitry, mechanical ventilation management and techniques. Comprehensive laboratory competency testing. Clinical cases presented as technical management corollaries. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Theory of basic mechanical ventilator function, methods of ventilation, modes, classification of ventilators, demonstration of basic equipment and circuitry. Airway management indications, selection of type, intubation, management assessment, hazards, extubation and troubleshooting the artificial airway will be covered. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Introduction to the theory of mechanical ventilation in the adult patient. Selection of ventilator parameters, commitment, maintenance, weaning. In-depth presentation, discussion, demonstration of specific adult ventilator systems, CPAP, BiPAP circuits, practice and testing. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

In depth presentation, discussion, demonstration of specific pediatric/neonatal ventilator systems, CPAP circuits, practice and testing. Continuation of adult ventilator practice, practice and integration of other critical care procedures. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Basic and advanced mechanical ventilator modes, graphics and applications, airway management concepts, and adjunctive therapies will be covered. Case-based application of mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, medications, patient assessment, and analysis, and choosing appropriate interventions will be heavily emphasized. As applicable to the discipline, writing assignments are part of the course.

Supervised clinical course providing advanced airway management skills, advanced ventilator techniques and diagnostic procedures in the hospital setting. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Supervised clinical course providing advanced airway management skills, advanced adult ventilatory techniques, neonatal respiratory procedures and advanced cardiopulmonary diagnostic procedures. Exposure to alternate sites of care. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Introduction to age appropriate considerations of patient education, application of therapeutic modalities and manifestations of cardiopulmonary diseases throughout the human life span. This course will also address managed care, management, patient care plans and alternate sites of care. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring is presented with emphasis on ECG interpretation and hemodynamic and exhaled gas monitoring and therapeutic interventions. Chest radiograph, CT and MRI interpretation will be introduced. Pharmacological agents that affect the cardiopulmonary, renal, and acid base regulating systems; paralyzing agents, analgesics, sedatives, administration safety, dose ranges, monitoring response to and basic fluid and electrolyte balance will be presented. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Case studies with PFTs, blood gases, hemodynamic profiles, ECGs and related diagnostic testing will be presented along with related pathophysiological changes of cardiopulmonary diseases. Advanced adult, pediatric, neonatal cardiopulmonary life support will be covered. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Care of patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease in a sub-acute setting and in their homes. Long term therapeutic prescriptions, equipment selection, cleaning and asepsis of equipment in the non-acute care setting. Pulmonary rehabilitation goals and programs presented along with adjunct exercises, equipment and assistive devices. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Respiratory care research topics presented, ethics and board examination preparation, computer-assisted clinical simulations along with branching logic, latent image practice and mock certification and registry examination preparation and practice. Resume, portfolio and job interview preparation will also be included. Clinical simulations, tutorials, and writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.