"Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. The scope of practice for respiratory therapy includes: acquiring and evaluating clinical data; assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients; performing and assisting in the performance of prescribed diagnostic studies, such as drawing blood samples, performing blood gas analysis and pulmonary function testing; utilizing data to assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care; establishing therapeutic goals for patients with cardiopulmonary disease; participating in the development and modification of respiratory care plans; case management of patients with pulmonary disease; initiating ordered respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients' responses to such care and modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures, and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives; initiating and conducting prescribed pulmonary rehabilitation; providing patient, family and community education; promoting cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention and disease management; participating in life support activities as required; promoting evidence-based medicine; research, and clinical practice guidelines.
Respiratory therapists should demonstrate behavior and ethics that are consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory therapy procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision making (such as patient evaluation, treatment selection and assessment of treatment efficacy) and patient education." (CoARC Standards and Guidelines of Accredited Educational Programs for the Respiratory Therapist, 1998)
This RC program provides opportunities for the development of knowledge, skills and behaviors consistent with those required by the respiratory therapist. Theory and laboratory practices precede clinical experiences. Clinical experience is achieved in a variety of settings while under the supervision of selected clinical instructors.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist. Graduates must also satisfy all requirements of the Ohio Respiratory Care Board (ORCB) to obtain a license to practice in Ohio. Requirements to practice respiratory care in other states are dictated by individual state law. Students who are enrolled and in good standing can also apply to the ORCB for a limited permit to practice in Ohio.
Admission to the program is limited to the number of students that can be accommodated by clinical sites. Following admission to the University the student is responsible for filing a separate application with the respiratory care program. Criteria for and information about program admission is available upon request or can be obtained from the RCT Web site at www.firelands.bgsu.edu/as/rt/.
The program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Students interested in the respiratory care technology program must make formal application to the program. Students must meet the following criteria for consideration:
After gaining admittance into the program, students must continue to meet the following standards to progress in the program:
To be admitted to the clinical portion of the program, students must meet the following requirements:
Firelands College
Clinical slots may be limited during a given year. In the event that more students meet clinical admission standards than there are slots available, admission will be determined by a rank ordering based upon grade point average and program hours completed.
The student is responsible for the following expenses incurred as a result of participation in clinical training. Prospective students may contact the program director for information on estimated costs for:
The following are generally provided at no cost to the student:
Hospital-sponsored scholarships are available for deserving respiratory care students through the Firelands College Scholarship Program. Other organizations also sponsor scholarships for which students preparing for allied health careers may be eligible.
Graduates from the program will possess the following knowledge and skills:
First year
General education
Basic courses
Core courses
Summer session
Core courses
Second year
General education
Basic courses
Core courses
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