Respiratory Care

This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.

This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.

This course is an intensive study of the gross and microscopic structure of the human body including the four major types of tissue and their subgroups, and the following organ systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, and senses. Functions of the organ systems are included at the introductory level to prepare students for a course in Human Physiology. Laboratory assignments develop the skills of observation, investigation, identification, discovery and dissection. The use of actual specimens, including cat dissection and observation of a human cadaver, is emphasized to assure that students learn the relative structure, functions, textures and variations in tissues not incorporated in models. Supplemental materials such as models, photographs, charts, videotapes, and digitized images are also provided. This course is required for students preparing for many Allied Health professions including, but not limited to, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Education and Kinesiology Training, and Physician’s Assistant and is a prerequisite for Human Physiology 3.

ENGL 2 recommended

See the full list: SMC GE Area III Course (opens in new window)

consider additional transfer requirements

This rigorous course provides a basic understanding of physiological mechanisms with a focus on the human body. Basic concepts of cellular physiology, including: molecular control; mechanisms of gene expression; ligand-binding site interactions; energy and cellular metabolism; membrane transport; membrane and action potentials; and cellular communication, including signal transduction, will be integrated within the concept of homeostasis involving the following body systems: nervous, sensory, endocrine, muscle, skeletal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, renal, digestive, reproductive, and integumentary. The course content includes both general and clinical applications and is intended to prepare students for advanced courses in Allied Health and Medical professions including Nursing, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Physician's Assistant, Pharmacy, and Exercise Science/Kinesiology Training.

consider additional transfer requirements

This course involves study of several types of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Principles of microbiology, metabolism, genetics, immunology, and medical and nonmedical applications are considered. The laboratory includes aseptic transfer techniques, cultural characteristics, methods of microscopy, and analytical techniques for identifying microbial organisms. The course content is related to both general and clinical applications including recent molecular biological and serological techniques.

This course is designed to build the student’s medical and professional vocabulary as required for a career in the medical field or allied health sciences. Students undertake a comprehensive study of medical terminology with an emphasis on determining meanings by dividing words into their component parts. An overview of anatomy by each body system, including diagnostic, pathologic, therapeutic, surgical and pharmacologic terminology is completed. Common clinical procedures, laboratory tests and abbreviations are also included.

consider additional transfer requirements

consider additional transfer requirements

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of respiratory care practice, including credential mechanisms, organization of respiratory care services, theory of modalities performed by respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) in various settings, and the various patient populations RCPs work with. Basics of patient assessment and evidence-based practice protocols are introduced.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course provides hands-on practice of the fundamentals of patient assessment, medical records, and infection control. The basic application of respiratory care modalities performed by respiratory care practitioners are introduced. Patient assessment skills and monitoring are applied to the delivery of floor care modalities. Ethics, Respiratory Care tracking software, HIPAA computer modules and hospital medical requirements are completed to prepare the student for entry to clinical experience.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course focuses on the physiology of the cardiopulmonary system from a clinical perspective, including basic anatomy, pulmonary ventilation, diffusion of gases, blood gas transport and acid-base status.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course presents the applied physiology, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, atelectasis, interstitial lung disease, etc.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course presents the basic concepts and principles in oxygen supply systems and administration, humidity and aerosol therapy, lung expansion therapy and airway clearance techniques.

to be taken in 2nd 8-weeks

This course provides hands-on practice and supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of practicing the assessment of need, administration, monitoring and reevaluation of respiratory care therapeutics (oxygen therapy, lung expansion therapy, aerosol therapy, lung expansion therapy, airway clearance modalities, and humidity therapy). Technical skills, knowledge and attitude are practiced. The student is assessed in competency of therapeutic delivery, assessment of need, assessment outcome, monitoring and evaluation of therapy.

to be taken in 2nd 8-weeks

This course provides direct physician interaction and student involvement in the clinical and nonclinical settings. The course will focus on the ability to present patient respiratory assessments, SBAR and assessment of need, assessment of outcome, recognize adverse effects and make recommendations of respiratory care therapeutics to a physician.

to be taken in 2nd 8-weeks

This course presents the integrated physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases and injuries such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary edema, chest trauma, smoke inhalation, thermal injuries, communicable diseases, and sleep apnea.

must be taken in Winter Intersession

This course presents the applied physiology, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary edema, chest trauma, smoke inhalation, thermal injuries, communicable diseases, sleep apnea, etc.

must be taken in Winter Intersession

This course covers the essentials of routine artificial airway care in the acute care setting. Conditions that lead to airway damage are discussed as well as techniques used to prevent them. Emphasis is placed on maintaining and troubleshooting artificial airways and preventing ventilator associated events.

This course provides hands-on skills in a lab setting and supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of gaining experience in establishing and maintaining a patent airway. Technical skills, knowledge and attitudes on emergency airway and airway management are practiced. The student is assessed in competencies assisting with endotracheal intubation and surgical and percutaneous tracheostomy procedures, securing and maintaining a patent airway.

This course covers the assessment of need, initiation, monitoring and assessment of outcome for patients requiring noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. Evidence-based research is used to guide the selection of the correct interface and mode of ventilation for a particular condition requiring NIV. Basic modes of mechanical ventilation are introduced.

This course provides supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of gaining experience in the application of noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation in the acute care setting. This introductory course in mechanical ventilation provides practice in technical skills of mechanical ventilation such as the initiation, ventilator set-up and monitoring and noninvasive ventilation.

This course provides direct physician interaction and student involvement in clinical and nonclinical settings. The course will focus on the ability to present case studies coherently and efficiently to a physician. Topics covered include initiation of noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, airway management, and chest x-ray review.

This course covers highly sophisticated and complex modern mechanical ventilators. Operational differences, mechanism of action, and taxonomy of the modes of commonly used mechanical ventilators is covered. The course also looks at innovations such closed-loop control of ventilation and the future of the ICU ventilator. Emphasis is placed on understanding the effects of positive pressure ventilation on various physiological systems and how to minimize adverse effects and identification of patient-ventilator asynchrony and strategies to correct it.

must be taken in Summer Intersession

This course provides hands-on skills in the lab setting and supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of gaining experience in the application of mechanical ventilation in the acute care setting. This course provides practice in recognizing and correcting patient-ventilator interactions that cause asynchrony and physiological effects of positive pressure ventilation. In addition, the course explores innovations in mechanical ventilation. Emphasis is placed on evaluating features and capabilities of various mechanical ventilators.

must be taken in Summer Intersession

This course covers the essentials of invasive and noninvasive monitoring devices. Pulse oximetry, capnography, volumetric capnography and transcutaneous monitoring are covered as well as cardiovascular monitoring using invasive and indwelling catheters. The course also covers drugs used in the application of critical care and advanced life support.

to be taken in 1st 10-weeks

This course provides hands-on skills and supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of gaining experience in the initiation, monitoring and troubleshooting of noninvasive monitoring devices, hemodynamic monitoring and arterial sampling measurement and interpretation in the acute care setting. This course also provides examples of application of medications frequently used in advanced life support and in the intensive care unit (ICU).

to be taken in 1st 10-weeks

This course presents conventional and unconventional strategies of mechanical ventilation to minimize lung injury. Emphasis is placed on the ARDSnet protocol and airway pressure release ventilation. The concepts of the “baby lung” and assessment of esophageal pressure, stress index, driving pressure and P-SILI are highlighted. Salvage therapies for ARDS are also discussed. In addition, conventional and unconventional strategies of the gradual or abrupt discontinuation of mechanical ventilation are covered.

to be taken in 1st 10-weeks

This course provides hands-on skills in lab setting and supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals with the purpose of gaining experience in applying evidence-based medicine to advanced concepts in mechanical ventilation. Emphasis is placed on recognizing acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress, and minimizing iatrogenic ventilator induced lung injury. In addition, practice in weaning and discontinuation of mechanical ventilation is covered.

to be taken in 1st 10-weeks

This course provides direct physician interaction and student involvement in the clinical and nonclinical settings. The course will prepare students to present case studies coherently and efficiently to a physician. The topics covered include lung protective strategies, weaning and liberation from mechanical ventilation. In addition, noninvasive and invasive monitoring, capnography, pulse oximetry, transcutaneous and hemodynamic monitoring are also covered.

to be taken in 1st 10-weeks

This course presents prenatal development, high risk pregnancy and normal labor and delivery. Assessment of the newborn and pediatric patient, neonatal and pediatric diseases and disorders are described with an emphasis on the respiratory care interventions, techniques, and equipment used in neonatal and pediatric patient care. The use of noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation and strategies to reduce the likelihood of ventilator induced lung injury are also discussed.

to be taken in last 6-weeks

This course presents hands-on application of neonatal-pediatric respiratory care, physical assessment, neutral thermal environment and management of common respiratory diseases/conditions. Application of technical skills used to assess need, initial setup, and monitoring of neonatal and pediatric patient requiring noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation are also covered.

to be taken in last 6-weeks

This course covers pulmonary function testing (PFT), sleep lab, pulmonary rehabilitation, and respiratory care in alternative settings. Emphasis is placed on indication for PFT and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Respiratory care in alternative settings is covered as it pertains to the scope of practice of respiratory care practitioners.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course presents hands-on application of outpatient pulmonary care services such as pulmonary function tests, sleep labs, pulmonary rehabilitation and in alternative settings such as physician offices and home care. In addition, supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals is provided. Clinical rotations in pulmonary function lab, pulmonary rehabilitation and sleep lab will be provided.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course explores career opportunities for respiratory care practitioners in the acute care setting and beyond as a respiratory disease manager or navigator. The course covers the health system requirements, practitioner knowledge base, technical skills in case management, patient-education, and self-management, essential tools required to function and succeed as pulmonary disease manager, including the implementation of protocol-directed respiratory care.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course presents hands-on application skills required for a respiratory care practitioner (RCP) to function in the role of respiratory disease manager (navigator). Emphasis is placed on the design, review and implementation of respiratory care protocols using principles of evidence-based medicine. In addition, this course provides supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals. The emphasis of the clinical rotation is implementation of protocol-directed respiratory care, and the role of the RCP as disease manager in a hospital setting.

to be taken in 1st 8-weeks

This course provides supervised clinical experience at local area hospitals. This course facilitates students' successful transition to clinical practice. The student practices civic professionalism, patient education, decision-making, advanced-level respiratory care skills and leadership skills essential to patient care requiring respiratory therapeutics and ventilator management. Readiness to enter the workforce is strengthened as the student gains self-confidence and independence by developing time management skills as the student assumes the role of a practicing Respiratory Care Practitioner.

to be taken in 2nd 8-weeks

This course provides direct physician interaction and student involvement in the clinical and nonclinical settings. The course focuses on the implementation of physician-ordered respiratory care protocols, respiratory disease management and the interaction between the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) and the physician in the outpatient care setting. Lastly, with the physician in the role of a mentor, the course covers the technical skills, personal attributes, overview of health care financing and action planning required for successful transition to independent practice

note: this is a full semester course

This course helps prepare students for National Board for Respiratory Examinations using computer assisted clinical simulations.

to be taken in 2nd 8-weeks