Respiratory Therapy

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Shawnee State University earn an Associate of Applied Sciences degree. The program is five semesters in length and combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical educational experiences.

All classroom and laboratory instruction is provided at the University. Clinical education is provided at a variety of hospital, extended care facilities, and homecare sites located throughout southern Ohio, northern Kentucky, and western West Virginia.

This program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Graduates are eligible to take both the Entry-Level (Certification) and Advanced-Practitioner (Registry) Examinations of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Outcomes data from the 2011 Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: http://www.coarc.com/47.html

Respiratory Care is the health care discipline that specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health. Respiratory Therapists employ scientific principles to identify, treat and prevent acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. Knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underlying cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, as well as biomedical engineering and technology, enable respiratory therapists to provide patient care services effectively.

As a health care profession, Respiratory Care is practiced under medical direction across the health care continuum. Critical thinking, patient/environment assessment skills, and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines enable respiratory therapists to develop and implement effective care plans, patient-driven protocols, disease-based clinical pathways, and disease management programs. A variety of venues serve as the practice site for this health care profession including, but not limited to:

• acute care hospitals
• sleep disorder centers and diagnostic laboratories
• long term acute care facilities
• rehabilitation, research and skilled nursing facilities
• patients' homes
• patient transport systems
• physician offices
• convalescent and retirement centers
• educational institutions
• medical equipment companies and suppliers
• wellness centers

Provided from the http://www.aarc.org/resources/position_statements/defin.html

Respiratory Care Scope of Practice

Respiratory Therapists are health care professionals whose responsibilities include the diagnostic evaluation, management, education, rehabilitation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. The scope of practice includes the application of technology and the use of treatment protocols across all care sites including, but not limited to, the hospital, clinic, physician's office, rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing facility and the patient's home.

The practice of respiratory care encompasses activities in diagnostic evaluation, therapy, and education of the patient, family and public. These activities are supported by education, research and administration. Diagnostic activities include but are not limited to:

• Obtaining and analyzing physiological specimens
• Interpreting physiological data
• Performing tests and studies of the cardiopulmonary system
• Performing neurophysiological studies
• Performing sleep disorder studies

Therapy includes but is not limited to the application and monitoring of:

• Medical gases and environmental control systems
• Mechanical ventilator support
• Artificial airway care
• Bronchopulmonary hygiene
• Pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures
• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
• Hemodynamic cardiovascular support

The focus of patient and family education activities is to promote knowledge and understanding of the disease process, medical therapy and self-help. Public education activities focus on the promotion of cardiopulmonary wellness.

Information taken from the following website: http://www.aarc.org/resources/position_statements/dop.html

Credentials

The graduate of the Respiratory Therapy program is awarded the associate of applied science degree and is eligible to sit for the examinations of the National Board for Respiratory Care. Successful completion of the ''entry-level'' examination of the NBRC results in the student being awarded the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential. Successful completion also results in graduates being eligible for a license to practice in any state currently having a licensure law. Finally, graduates who successfully complete the entry-level examination are also eligible to take the advanced practitioner examination of the NBRC. Successful completion of that examination results in the student being awarded the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential by the NBRC.