Contact Persons:  Allen Marangoni, Ed.D., RRT, PT
                         Respiratory Therapy
                         Marybeth Emmerth, M.S., RRT, CPFT
                         Respiratory Therapy

The curriculum is designed to provide a thorough grounding in the basic sciences, underlying allied health technologies, clinical training emphasizing the application of fundamental principles and a liberal arts foundation which allows the student to explore the human and ethical aspects of health care practice. The Student Handbook, distributed to each major, outlines the specific requirements for successful completion of the bachelor of science degree. (Course sequence may be slightly altered.)

Requirements for Respiratory Therapist
Bachelor of Science Degree

Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy program, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend, apply and evaluate information relevant to their role as a Respiratory Therapist (Cognitive).
2. Possess personal behaviors consistent with professional  and employer expectations (Affective).
3. Be technically proficient in all the skills necessary to fulfill the role of a respiratory therapist (Psychomotor).

In addition to completing the core curriculum requirements, outlined on pp. 14-15 of this catalog, the respiratory therapy major must complete the following courses with a letter grade of “C” or better and must maintain a 2.3 GPA in all math and science courses to enter clinical practicum.

*BIO 115, 121	General Biology I and Lab	(3 and 1 crs)
*BIO 127, 128	Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab	(3 and 1 crs)
*BIO 129	Anatomy & Physiology II	(3 crs)
*BIO 242	Cardiopulmonary Physiology	(3 crs)
*CHE 105	Introductory General Chemistry	(3 crs)
*CLS/PHY 130	Physics for Allied Health	(3 crs)
*CLS 215	Introduction to Epidemiology	(2 crs)
*CLS 234	Pathophysiology	(3 crs)
*CLS 311	Introduction to Pharmacology	(1 cr)
*CLS 312	Emergency Life Support Techniques	(3 crs)
*CLS 320	Management Techniques for the Health Sciences	(2 crs)
*CLS 330	Principles of Instruction	(2 crs)
RET 212	Respiratory Therapy Equipment  and Procedures (Lab and Lecture)	(3 crs)
RET 320	Respiratory Pharmacology	(1 cr )
RET 325	Adult Respiratory Therapy  Equipment and Procedures	(3 crs)
RET 330	Pulmonary Functions and Arterial Blood Gases	(3 crs)
RET 340	Pulmonary Rehabilitation and  Current Topics in Respiratory Care	(3 crs)
RET 345	Neonatal and Pediatric  Respiratory Care	(3 crs)
(* or higher level course)

Clinical Practicum including:

RET 362	Clinical Orientation	(2 crs)
RET 363	Principles of General Care I	(3 crs)
RET 365	Introduction to Anesthesia	(1 cr)
RET 366	Principles of Critical Care I	(5 crs)
RET 464	Pulmonary Functions	(2 crs)
RET 465	Principles of General Care II	(4 crs)
RET 466	Principles of Critical Care II	(4 crs)
RET 467	Rehab. and Home Care	(2 crs)
RET 468	Clinics	(1 cr)
RET 469	Emergency Medicine	(1 cr)
NUR/RET 412	Critical Thinking Skills	(1 cr)
NUR/RET 430	EKG Interpretation	(1 cr)
NUR/RET 461	Advanced Cardiac Life Support	(1 cr)
RET 482	Special Project I	(1 cr)
RET 483	Special Project II	(1 cr)
RET 484	Special Project III	(1 cr)
Electives (Not Required)
RET 420	Registry Review for Respiratory Therapy	(1 cr)
RET 480	Advanced Clinical	(1 to 2 crs)

Course Descriptions

RET 212 Respiratory Therapy Equipment and Procedures (3 crs, Lab and Lecture)

The operating principles, maintenance and application of nebulizers, regulators, oxygen analyzers, basic oxygen equipment, piping systems, various safety systems used in respiratory care and proper cleaning techniques. Includes basic pulmonary assessments, blood gas interpretations and introductory hospital clinical experiences. Lecture and lab. Prerequisite: Acceptance into Respiratory Therapy Program.

RET 320 Respiratory Pharmacology (1 cr)

A study of the application, uses and effects of pharmacological agents administered by respiratory therapists, and those affecting the cardiovascular system. Prerequisite: CLS 311.

RET 325 Adult Respiratory Therapy Equipment and Procedures (3 crs)

The operating principles, maintenance and application of respirators and other advanced equipment and monitoring devices as they apply to the adult patient. Suctioning, airways, chest physical therapy and incentive spirometry PEP Therapy and IPPB are also covered. Prerequisite: RET 212.

RET 330 Pulmonary Function and Blood Gases (3 crs)

Introduces the student to bronchoscopy and basic pulmonary function procedures and interpretation, operation of equipment and technology, blood gas analysis and its application to respiratory care. Prerequisites: RET 212, RET 325.

RET 340 Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Current Topics in Respiratory Care Techniques (3 crs)

Pulmonary rehabilitation, basic chest X-ray interpretation, non-invasive monitoring, smoking cessation and RT Math. Prerequisites: RET 212, RET 325.

RET 345 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (3 crs)

Basic fetal development, neonatal and pediatric conditions, congenital heart defects and the use of advanced equipment in the care of disease states. Prerequisite: RET 212, RET 325.

RET 362 Clinical Orientation (2 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

This course is designed to orient the student to the respiratory care environments. An introduction to basic procedures in the laboratory leading to basic administration of therapies in the general care areas of the hospital. Prerequisite: Junior status in good standing.

RET 363 Principles of General Care I (3 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

The student will be exposed to principles of nursing, patient care and respiratory care in general surgical, medical, intensive care, pulmonary function and rehabilitation areas. Prerequisite: Junior status in good standing.

RET 365 Introduction to Anesthesia (1 cr)
(a clinical practicum)

This course is designed to familiarize the student with surgical procedures, sterile technique, intubation, airway maintenance and principles of anesthesia. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 366 Principles of Critical Care I (5 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

This course will familiarize the student with all aspects of ventilator management, airway maintenance and principles of respiratory management of the critically ill patient. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 412 Critical Thinking Skills (1 cr) (spring)

Critical thinking and problem solving skills are applied to patient situations involving complications. This course has one-half (1/2) credit of laboratory. Prerequisites: Same as 430.

RET 420 Registry Review for Respiratory Therapy (1 cr)

Designed to review necessary information for passing the state licensure examination for respiratory care. Prerequisite: Completion of the pre-practicum courses.

RET 430 Basic EKG (1 cr)

This course focuses on the identification of cardiac dysrhythmias, benign and lethal, including causes and symptoms accompanying each dysrhythmia. Through the use of practice telemetry strips, students will then apply interpretation skills in a clinical setting.

RET 461 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (1 cr)

RET 464 Pulmonary Function (2 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

The student will be instructed in the performance of pulmonary function tests, the drawing of arterial blood gases, analysis of samples, interpretation of results; and observation and assistance with fiberoptic bronchoscopes. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 465 Principles of General Care II (4 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

This course is designed for the student to administer therapy in the general care area with clinical supervision. The student will apply and refine skills presented in RET 363, Principles of General Care I, and become skilled in 12 lead EKG and chest physical therapy and monitoring techniques. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 466 Principles of Critical Care II (4 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

This course will give the student more direct responsibility for the patient-ventilator system in the adult and pediatric intensive care areas. The student will apply and refine skills presented in RET 366, Principles of Critical Care I, and spend 1 week with pulmonary physician as well as the integration of didactic and clinical investigation of case studies. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 467 Rehabilitation and Home Care (2 crs)
(a clinical practicum)

This course places the student in hospital rehabilitation centers and home health care services. The student will be exposed to principles of outpatient management and rehabilitative medicine. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 468 Clinics (1 cr)
(a clinical practicum)

The student will be placed in various clinics to observe the screening, diagnostic process and management of patients. Exposure to specific disease management, X-ray evaluation, angiography and heart lung bypass techniques are included. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 469 Emergency Medicine (1 cr)
(a clinical practicum)

Placement in the emergency room, intensive care settings and on the cardiac arrest team for an orientation to triage and emergency intervention. Prerequisite: Completion of pre-practicum courses.

RET 480 Advanced Clinical Experience (1-2 crs)

Elective course in a specialized clinical area, directed by a therapist or physician and resulting in a summary paper. (Cooperative)

RET 482 Special Project (1 cr)

Preparation for a research project, including the design, organization and statistics used. A proposal for IRB review is required.

RET 483 Special Project (1 cr) (fall)

Continuation of research project with any modification and the start of data collection.

RET 484 Special Project (1 cr)
Spring

Completion of research project with data analysis and an oral and written presentation of the research project.