Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy may be suffering from a variety of acute and chronic conditions that are either life threatening or disabling. While intensive respiratory care is essential, the day-today respiratory care is also important. Respiratory therapy personnel, working from the written orders of a physician, carry out specific therapeutic measures to assist the respiratory distressed patient. Respiratory care practitioners must be competent in such areas as medical gas administration (including oxygen), humidification, aerosols, hyperinflation techniques, bronchopulmonary drainage and exercises, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, airway management, pulmonary function studies, blood-gas analysis, and physiological status. The Respiratory Therapy program follows a career- ladder approach from entry level (technician) through a bachelor of science in Health Administrative Services. Students may exit at two years (Entry Level), three years (Therapist Level) or finish a bachelor of science program. Entry-Level (Technician) Program—Requires two academic years and leads to either an associate of applied science degree, or associate of science degree. Therapist Level—Requires three academic years and leads to an associate of science degree. Admission Process To be eligible for consideration for selection into a Weber State Respiratory program, each candidate must: (1) be admitted to Weber State; (2) submit a Respiratory Therapy program application; (3) present overall high school and/or college achievement record of minimum 2.00 for Entry Level (2.75 for Therapist Level); (4) declare or change major to Respiratory Therapy; and (5) complete (or be enrolled in) all prerequisite respiratory therapy courses with a "C" or better grade. All five of the above steps must be completed prior to March 1 st each year. Selection of students into the Entry-Level program is made at the end of Spring Quarter when final grades are available. Selection into the Therapist Level program is also made at the end of spring quarter. Clinical and didactic performance during Entry Level training is an important aspect of selection into this level of preparation. Details regarding admission to any of the Respiratory Therapy program levels are available on request from the Respiratory Therapy office or the College of Health Professions admissions office. PROGRAM: ENTRY-LEVEL RESPIRATORY THERAPY PRACTITIONER (TECHNICIAN- ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE A student may qualify for a full associate of science degree by completing the following program requirements and the necessary additional general education courses. General Requirements: • A minimum of 93 credit hours. • The required courses in major field. • Engl EN111 and Commun HU105. • General Education requirements may be satisfied by taking one course from both the Humanities area and the Personal Development area, along with the prescribed courses listed below. Specific Requirements: • Biomedical core or acceptable equivalent** (15 credit hours): Hthsci 111 (5), 112 (5), 113 (5). • Respiratory Therapy courses required (55 credit hours): Resthy 151 (2), 152 (2), 154 (3), 214 (3), 215 (3), 216 (3), 221 (5), 225 (5), 227 (5), 230 (5), 231 (5), 232 (3), 270 (2), 271 (4), 272(5). • Support courses required: Math 96 (5) or 19 or above on the ACT Math proficiency exam; Hthsci PD120 (3), 230 (4): Resthy 140 (2) or current CPR certification at the basic provider level: Psych SS101 (5) or 154 (3). **Acceptable equivalent: Zool 421 (5), 422 (5) and Phsx PS101 (5); or Zool LS201 (5), 202 (3) and Phsx PS101 (5); and Micro LSI 11 (5), Chem PS 101 (5). PROGRAM: RESPIRATORY THERAPIST ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE While a full associate of science degree is an appropriate expectation at this program level, it is recognized that circumstances sometimes prevent total achievement of that goal. Therefore, a student may (if necessary) opt for an associate of applied science, following counseling with the program director. General Requirements: • WSU Core Requirements (see index). • General Education Requirements (see index). • A minimum of 138 credit hours. • The required courses in major field. Specific Requirements: • Biomedical core or acceptable equivalent** (15 credit hours): Hthsci 111 (5), 112 (5), 113 (5). • Respiratory Therapy courses required (85 credit hours): Resthy 151 (2), 152 (2), 154 (3) 214 (3), 215 (3), 216 (3), 221 (5), 225 (5), 227 (5), 230 (5), 231 (5), 232 (3), 270 (2), 271 (4), 272 (5), 321 (3), 322 (3), 323 (3), 326 (3), 327 (3), 328 (3), 376 (5), 377 (5), 378 (5). • Support courses required: Math 96 (5) or 19 or above on the ACT Math proficiency exam; Hthsci PD120 (3) 230 (3); Resthy 140 (2) or current CPR certification at the basic provider level; Psych SS101 (5) or 154 (3). **Acceptable equivalent: Zool 421 (5), 422 (5); and Phsx PS 101 (5); or Zool LS201 (5), 202 (3) and Phsx PS 101 (5); and Micro LS 111 (5), Chem PS 101 (5). RESPIRATORY THERAPY COURSES- RESTHY 140. Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (2) A A course designed to provide the learner with the basic skills and knowledge required to perform effective rescue procedures for the victim of cardiopulmonary arrest or airway obstruction. 151. Pharmacology I (2) A Introduction to use of drugs as therapeutic agents. Includes general principles, metrics/problem-solving, autonomic and central nervous system and respiratory system pharmacology. 152. Pharmacology II (2) W Introduction to the use of drugs as therapeutic agents. Includes pharmacology of heart/vascular, renal system, GI tract, endocrine system and infectious disease treatment. 154. Survey of Respiratory Therapy (3) W, S This course is designed to introduce allied health and other students to respiratory therapy as a profession. It includes field trips, group discussions, lecture/demonstrations and limited lab activities. Open to all students. 214. Introduction to Therapeutic Modalities Lab (3) A Introductory laboratory course emphasizing basic patient care skills and the administration of medical gases, humidity and pharmacologic agents. 215. Basic Therapeutic Modalities Lab (3) W Laboratory course emphasizing patient care skills relating to artificial ventilation techniques and equipment. 216. Equipment Management Lab (3) S Survey of equipment used by the respiratory care practitioner in a modem hospital; including decontamination procedures, inventory systems, and trouble shooting. 221. Elementary Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology (5) A Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology specifically for the entry level respiratory care practitioner. 225. Basic Patient Assessment and Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology (5) W A basic orientation to patient assessment techniques and a synopsis of medical/surgical cardiopulmonary problems for the entry-level practitioner. Etiology, symptomatology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the problem is presented, along with case studies . 227. Elementary Cardiopulmonary Technology (5) S Introduction to theory and clinical application of basic cardiopulmonary diagnostic studies, including simple spirometry, arterial and mixed venous blood gases, and electrocardiograms. Course emphasizes critical thinking skills in the application of diagnostic findings and utilizes case studies, class discussions, and extensive study guides. 230. Therapeutics & Technology in Medical Gases, Humidity & Aerosois (5) A Theoretical basis for administration of medical gases, humidity and pharmacologic agents. Relates equipment theory of operation with clinical application and problem solving. 231. Therapeutics & Technology in Airway Management and Mechanical Ventilation (5) W Theoretical basis for airway management and mechanical ventilation. Relates equipment theory of operation to clinical application and problem-solving. 232. Mechanical Ventilation Techniques (3) S Introduction to theory of different modes of mechanical ventilation, including assist/control, IMV, SIMV, CPAP, and pressure support. Initiating, adjusting, and weaning from mechanical ventilation are included in course objectives. 270. Clinical Applications (2) A To be taken Fall Quarter concurrently with the second year required respiratory therapy didactic courses. 271. Clinical Applications (4) W To be taken Winter Quarter concurrently with the second year required respiratory therapy didactic courses. 272. Clinical Applications (5) S To be taken Spring Quarter concurrently with the second year required respiratory therapy didactic courses. 273. Clinical Applications (4) For special clinical experiences, to be arranged with instructor. Limited enrollment. Permission of instructor required. Science 224 225