Respiratory therapists are members of a team of health care professionals working in a wide variety of clinical settings to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. As members of this team, respiratory therapists should exemplify the ethical and professional standards expected of all health care professionals.
Respiratory therapists provide patient care which includes clinical decision-making and patient education. The respiratory care scope of practice includes, but is not limited to, the following basic competencies:
- Acquiring and evaluating clinical data;
- Assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients;
- Performing and assisting in the performance of prescribed diagnostic studies such as: obtaining blood samples, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and polysomnography;
- Evaluating 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 cardiopulmonary and related diseases;
- Initiating prescribed respiratory care treatments, managing life support activities, evaluating and monitoring patient responses to such therapy and modifying the prescribed therapy to achieve the desired therapeutic objectives;
- Initiating and conducting prescribed pulmonary rehabilitation;
- Providing patient, family and community education;
- Promoting cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention, and disease management; and
- Promoting evidence-based practice by using established clinical practice guidelines and by evaluating published research for its relevance in patient care.
2015 CoARC Standards Adopted by AARC, ACCP, ATS, ASA www.coarc.com
The BGSU Respiratory Care Program provides opportunities for the development of knowledge, skills, and behaviors consistent with those required by the respiratory therapist (RRT). 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 (NBRC) 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. Beginning January 1, 2015, graduates must achieve the RRT credential in order to practice in the state of 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 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 Respiratory Care Program website.
The BGSU Firelands Respiratory Care Bachelor degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). The BGSU Firelands program number is 200339 and the satellite program number is 300009. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Programmatic outcomes data reported on the CoARC website include: 3-year time period being reported; CRT credentialing success; RRT credentialing success; Achievement of the high cut score on the TMC Exam (beginning 2018); Retention (Attrition); Job placement; Overall Graduate Satisfaction; Overall Employer Satisfaction; On-time Graduate Rate; Total number of program enrollees; Total number of program graduates; Maximum Annual Enrollment.
Admission
Students interested in the Respiratory Care Program must make formal application. Students must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Be formally admitted to BGSU;
- Submit a program application to the academic advisor. Applications are due by April 1 for fall admission;
- Be a graduate of an accredited high school and have attained an overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4 point scale in high school, or have earned the GED;
- Complete prerequisites (Pre-professional requirements) with a grade of “C” or higher in all AHTH, BIOL, and CHEM coursework or equivalent coursework if transferring from another accredited institution;
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (on a 4 point scale) for all college/university coursework;
- Complete a hospital/medical center tour of a respiratory or cardiopulmonary services department and submit the observation verification form to the program director;
- Complete an interview with the respiratory care admissions committee. Note: All admissions are subject to approval by the respiratory care admissions committee.
Program Progression
Following program admission, students must continue to meet the following standards to progress:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- Earn a grade of “C” or higher in all RESP courses;
- Successfully complete (pass according to National Board for Respiratory Care “cut scores”) the following NBRC/AMP self-assessment examinations prior to graduation: Therapist Multiple Choice Examination at the RRT level.
- Comply with Respiratory Care Program and Clinical Policies.
Clinical Admissions
To be admitted to the clinical portion of the program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4 point scale;
- Have a “C” or higher in all RESP, AHTH, CHEM, and BIOL coursework;
- Obtain and provide documentation for all required health work, including a physical examination, lab work, and immunizations according to clinical policy (see Respiratory Care Program and Clinical Policies);
- Meet all clinical policy requirements as stated in the Respiratory Care Program and Clinical Policies (e.g. Physical Requirements Policy);
- Complete a criminal background check;
- Obtain health care insurance.
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:
- Pre-clinical physical exam, lab work, and immunizations;
- Textbooks and/or clinical training manuals and folders;
- Transportation to and from clinical training sites;
- Meals while at clinical sites (students generally receive any cafeteria discounts offered to employees);
- Scrub attire, lab coats, and/or uniforms;
- Stethoscope;
- BGSU Firelands student nametag;
- NBRC/AMP Self-Assessment Examinations (students are required to take the TMC examination and Clinical Simulation exam);
- Online Clinical Tracking System.
The following are generally provided at no cost to the student:
- Hospital ID/nametags;
- Parking at most clinical sites;
- Professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage).
Scholarships are available for eligible respiratory care students through the BGSU Firelands Scholarship Program. Other organizations also sponsor scholarships for which students preparing for allied health careers may be eligible.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the Respiratory Care program will possess the following knowledge, skills, and behaviors:
- The ability to comprehend that body of technical information according to nationally accepted standards as being related to the role and scope of practice for the advanced respiratory care practitioner, and to utilize and apply that knowledge appropriately in the diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and management of patients;
- The ability to perform all of the clinical procedural skills associated with the role and scope of practice of the advanced respiratory care professional;
- The set of personal behaviors expected of the advanced respiratory care professional;
- Meet nationally accepted standards for the scope of practice of the advanced respiratory care practitioner as stated in the Standards and Guidelines for the profession of respiratory care promulgated by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
- Utilize and apply knowledge of accepted respiratory care procedures in the diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and management of patients;
- Adhere to the code of ethics for the respiratory care professional;
- Abide by the laws of the State of Ohio;
- Master fundamentals principles of natural, physical, and social science and mathematics related to respiratory care;
- Read the scientific literature and critically evaluate clinical research findings related to respiratory care;
- Use reference materials, empirical methods, and statistical and computing skills to solve occupational problems, detect/resolve problems and errors, and develop/test/validate new models.
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