School
Health and Human Services
Division
Health Careers
Department
Respiratory Therapy
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Respiratory Therapist
Course Number
295
Course Title
Clinical Therapeutics Practicum
Cross-Referenced Course
Credit Hours
7.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
107.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
315.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
RTH-210 and RTH-289 both with a C or better
Catalog Course Description
Directed clinical experience that develops therapeutic clinical skills for critical care areas and diagnostic labs. Emphasis is on assessing needs, designing care plans, and implementing and evaluating the procedures especially for mechanical ventilator support and systemic oxygenation. Fifteen hours per week.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Initiating & Monitoring Mechanical Ventilatory Support
- Determine the indication for mechanical ventilation.
- Assemble and verify proper function of the ventilator before placement on the patient.
- Initiate, conduct and modify prescribed ventilator settings including modes of ventilation to achieve adequate acid/base balance, ventilation and oxygenation while monitoring patient’s response to respiratory therapy.
- Evaluate a patient’s ventilation and oxygenation status through the use of invasive and noninvasive monitoring including but not limited to patient assessment skills, pulse oximetry, capnography, electrocardiography (ECG), bedside pulmonary mechanics, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results and/or hemodynamic parameters.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive patient-ventilator system check.
- Correlate learned theory and techniques and apply that knowledge to direct patient care included in a critical care assignment. (i.e. ventilatory support, equipment, monitoring patients, etc.)
- Use correct universal precautions and infection control procedures in the clinical setting.
- Specialty clinical rotation
- Observe Pulmonary Diagnostic testing
- Discuss the role of the Respiratory Therapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Discuss Home Care modalities for Respiratory Care
- Apply appropriate modalities for patients in Long Term Care Facilities
- Communication
- Communicate verbally in language appropriate to patients and professional staff.
- Communicate appropriately and accurately in written form in appropriate notes and reports.
- Demonstrate compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) guidelines when dealing with patients and their medical records in the health care setting.
- Apply appropriate professional behaviors when dealing with physicians, hospital staff, fellow students, patients & patient families.
- Clinical Procedures in Respiratory Care
- Demonstrate the proper procedure for arterial blood sampling through arterial puncture and arterial line sampling.
- Incorporate all respiratory modalities as required during a typical shift assignment.
- Conduct therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patent airway, removal of bronchopulmonary secretions, adequate spontaneous ventilation and/or arterial and tissue oxygenation according to individual patient needs.
- Provide emergency care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or some portion of the procedures involving patients to include intubation, extubation, bronchoscopies, and transport for special procedures.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of Academic Achievement
Written documentation, observation of clinical practice, weekly clinical logs, shared feedback forms, physician interaction reports, affective and clinical management final evaluations, and clinical competency evaluations are used to assess attainment of objectives in the area of knowledge, skills, and affective behaviors.
General Course Requirements and Recommendations
Students must pass this course with a “C” grade or higher to remain in the RTH program.
Texts
To be determined by program faculty.
Outcomes
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Satisfies Honors Requirements
No
Effective Term
Fall 2025