AAS
Respiratory Therapy
Programs
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Respiratory Therapy,
Course Descriptions
RT1001: Introduction to Respiratory Therapy
Credits 1This one credit hour hybrid course will provide information about the Respiratory Therapy profession and it's associated state and national groups. The course will also outline the academic pathway to obtaining an Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy at SCCC and the process of earning credentials to be able to successfully transfer into the workforce.
RT1104: Respiratory Physiology
Credits 4This is a four-hour lecture course that provides an in-depth discussion of the structure and function of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Content includes laboratory analysis and diagnostic testing of the cardiopulmonary system. This course also presents a detailed study of the physiology of human respiration and circulation. Topics include functional cardiopulmonary anatomy, ventilation, diffusion, blood flow, gas transport, acid-base states, mechanics and regulation of ventilation and basic cardiac function.
RT1112: Respiratory Diseases
Credits 2This is a two-credit-hour hybrid course that is designed to provide the student with basic knowledge in the etiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of pulmonary related diseases and disorders. Students will utilize an online case study learning tool to apply the concepts. Hybrid Class Code: Student meets in a traditional classroom or lab setting for part of the class, but also must participate regularly in online sessions using a course management system.
RT1126: RT Procedures I
Credits 6This four-hour lecture, two-hour lab course is designed to acquaint the student with fundamental patient assessment skills to include chest auscultation, vital signs, and ability to perform a basic physical assessment. In addition, students will learn medication delivery via small volume nebulizer, MDI's and DPI's, theory of equipment operation, and indications and hazards of clinical applications. Content also includes therapeutic gas administration, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, and chest physiotherapy. Laboratory sections are used to familiarize the student with operation, safety, and assembly of various pieces of equipment and to practice application of knowledge gained in election to patient care. Clinical sections will introduce students to the clinical setting allowing them to apply concepts learned in class and lab to patient care. The clinical and laboratory components are graded as a pass/fail and the theory with a letter grade. If either component is failed, the concurrent component is also failed.
RT1502: Resp. Therapy Pharmacology
Credits 2This is a one-credit-hour hybrid course that is designed to cover general principles of pharmacology, basic terminology, drug action, dosage, adverse reactions, and drug toxicity. The focus of this course is on pharmacologic agents affecting the respiratory system. Additionally, advanced cardiac life support medications and sedation/analgesics will be covered. Hybrid Class Code: Student meets in a traditional classroom or lab setting for part of the class, but also must participate regularly in online sessions using a course management system.
RT2013: Pediatric & Neonatal Resp Care
Credits 3This is a three-credit hour lecture course emphasizing the respiratory therapist role in management of neonatal patients with respiratory diseases. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the unique pathophysiology of the more common neonatal and pediatric pulmonary disorders and the application of respiratory care modalities used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in this age group. Course content includes patient assessment, etiology, clinical signs and symptoms, and diagnosis of the most common diseases affecting the neonatal/pediatric patient. Treatment approaches will include oxygen and gas therapy, medication delivery, and mechanical ventilatory support.
RT2014: RT Clinical Practicum II
Credits 4This course is a two-hour lecture that is a continuation of general clinical practice. The student acquires more critical care experience with emphasis on pulmonary function testing, chest x-rays, physician rounds, blood gas sampling and analysis, non-invasive monitoring, and non-invasive ventilation. The classroom portion of this course introduces the student to advanced procedures that include: fiberoptic bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, chest tube management, and non-invasive ventilation.
RT2125: Resp. Therapy Procedures II
Credits 5This is a four-hour lecture and one-credit-hour lab course that through classroom discussion and laboratory/clinical experiences, the student will develop an appropriate knowledge base of respiratory care practices utilized when providing care to critically ill patients. Course content includes airway management, suctioning, intubation, extubation, and mechanical ventilation. The laboratory component is graded as a pass/fail and the theory with a letter grade. If either component is failed, the concurrent component is also failed.
RT2133: Respiratory Therapy Proc III
Credits 3This is a three-hour lecture course that is designed to further the student's understanding of treatment of the critically ill patient. The student will learn to monitor and assess critically ill patients on the mechanical ventilator and the new technology and accessories that can be applied to mechanical ventilation. This includes the study of hemodynamics with a review of the pathophysiology of the heart and lungs and the placement and use of catheters to monitor blood pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. This course will enhance their knowledge of lung protective strategies including high frequency oscillatory ventilation, heliox therapy, and special maneuvers on the mechanical ventilator. Students will learn how to troubleshoot and fix problems for mechanically ventilated patients in addition to methods used to enhance patient-ventilator synchrony and prevent/decrease the risk for ventilator associated events.
RT2251: Clinical Simulation and Review
Credits 1This is an online course that emphasizes the critical thinking skills required for an advanced respiratory care practitioner. The course content includes an extensive review of the application of all respiratory care learned while in the program. In addition, this course utilizes computer-based respiratory care clinical scenarios which require the student to assemble and analyze patient data and make therapeutic and diagnostic recommendations. The students will participate in a webinar exam review to prepare them further for the national board exam.
RT2315: RT Clinical Practicum III
Credits 5This three-hour lecture and two-hour clinical course will provide information on the respiratory therapist’s role in management of neonatal and pediatric patients with respiratory diseases. This course will include in-depth case studies and utilize simulations with simulators to enhance this content/experience. Clinical experiences in this course will provide the students with opportunities to prepare them for their summer critical care rotations/practicum.
RT2601: Respiratory Therapy Seminar
Credits 1This one-credit-hour hybrid course that includes topics in professionalism, ethics, management, alternative sites for respiratory care, uses of oxygen saturation for monitoring and testing, internal and external patient transfers, and emergency management. This course will prepare students for different aspects of respiratory care that they will encounter in their career both in and out of the hospital setting. Hybrid Class Code: Student meets in a traditional classroom or lab setting for part of the class, but also must participate regularly in online sessions using a course management system.
RT2606: Critical Care Practicum
Credits 6This is a six-credit hour clinical course that exposes the student to different aspects of respiratory care in critical care areas in a clinical setting. This course allows the student to apply the knowledge they have acquired in lecture to real-life situations in the monitoring, management, and treatment of critically ill adult, neonatal, and pediatric patients. Students will take and pass a NBRC TMC-like exam with a 65% or better for successful completion of this course.