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 A Respiratory Therapist is an allied
health professional concerned with the diagnostic evaluation, treatment,
and management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. The
respiratory
therapist is proficient in the therapeutic administration of medical
gases and aerosols, intermittent and continuous mechanical ventilation,
bronchopulmonary hygiene, basic and advanced cardiac life support
techniques, non-invasive patient monitoring, pulmonary function
evaluation,
arterial blood gas analysis, airway management procedures and pulmonary
rehabilitation techniques. A licensed respiratory therapist must
also
be knowledgeable regarding various assessment techniques and patient
education models. These skills are used with neonatal, pediatric,
and adult patients in acute, sub-acute, and home care settings.
To function effectively as a member
of the multidisciplinary health care team, the respiratory therapist
must have a sound understanding of the physiological and psychological
needs of the patient, the role of the various therapeutic interventions
in the patient care plan, and development of broad based skills to
more effectively contribute to the overall care of the patient. Theory
and laboratory experiences are provided prior to the student's entry
into the clinical phase of the program. This program includes three
summer sessions.
The YSU Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.org).
Bachelor's Degree
The respiratory care program at YSU
provides graduates with a Bachelors of Science in Respiratory Care.
YSU is one of only two universities in Ohio that offer a truly integrated
respiratory care bachelor degree program. The program at YSU is also
one of about 50 programs in the United States at the bachelor-degree
level. This is important because the profession is encouraging respiratory
care programs to move toward four-year degrees rather than predominantly
two-year degree programs. The bachelor-degree respiratory therapist
not only comes better prepared for entry-level clinical positions,
but is clearly better situated for future advancement in numerous
professional tracks.
Inside Respiratory Care
 Respiratory therapists, also known
as respiratory care practitioners, play an integral role in the care
of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. Some of these disorders
include: Asthma, Emphysema, Bronchitis, and Lung Cancer. Respiratory
therapists are employed in acute, sub-acute and home care settings
caring for all types of patients from neonates to geriatrics. Some
of the settings therapists work in include: Adult and Pediatric Acute
Care Hospitals, Outpatient/Rehabilitation Facilities, Physician Offices,
Public School Systems, Sleep Disorder Laboratories, Home Health Agencies,
the Government and Colleges/Universities.
Respiratory therapists work under
the supervision of a physician to provide many therapeutic and diagnostic
procedures and make recommendations based on these responses. They
must also communicate with other members of the health care team,
such as nurses and doctors, in order to follow the progress of patients
and make the modifications to treatments as necessary.
Multiskilling
The more skills that you are able to
bring to a job will increase your value in the new health care environment.
The respiratory program at YSU truly believes in this concept and
feels that it is important to provide students the necessary skills
to make them as efficient at their jobs as possible. So, students
are taught extra skills such as: 12-Lead ECGs, Venipuncture, Arterial
Line Insertion, Intravenous Line Insertion, and I.M. Injection techniques.
Additional Certifications
that are included in the curriculum are:
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
The overview of special skills/certifications/proficiencies
listed above are not provided by every respiratory care program.
Providing these skills help YSU graduates stand out to potential
employers.
Clinical Experience
After extensive didactic and laboratory
course preparation during the first two years, the respiratory program
begins to integrate students into various clinical settings by the
beginning of the third year of the program. After gaining confidence
by observing various clinical procedures, students gradually start
to perform more hands-on therapies while under the direction of adjunct
clinical faculty. By the last semester of the program, students will
virtually perform the same tasks as the clinical faculty they are
assigned to. It is important that students gradually build their
own
confidence level will providing patient care with increasing independence.
Will gaining clinical experiences at area health care facilities,
you will still be taking various didactic and laboratory courses
at
the University.
In addition to gaining clinical skills,
students will learn to apply various "life" skills such
as prioritizing, developing interpersonal communication, time management
and stress reduction techniques. All of these are important skills
to have in order to prepare for any career in the medical field. Also,
because you gain so much experience during clinics, by the end of
your third year in the program, you will be eligible for employment
at area health care facilities as a respiratory therapy student. Students
can work once they apply for a limited permit from the Ohio Respiratory
Care Board (the licensing agency for respiratory care in Ohio).
Graduates
YSU graduates have been extremely
successful on the national certification (CRT) and registry (RRT)
examinations when compared to graduates of other respiratory care
programs. These national proficiency exams are administered by the
National Board for Respiratory Care. YSU program pass rates far exceed
national averages for these exams as documented by the National Board
for Respiratory Care. Successful completion of these exams is very
important due to the fact that state licensure requirements (including
Ohio) requires passing the CRT to obtain employment post-graduation.
Graduates and Program Faculty
have gained recognition throughout the country for leadership, research,
participation in professional organizations, as well as academic
and
clinical achievement. The program's faculty has also shared in these
same accomplishments.
Polysomnography Option
A new certificate program in Polysomnography will be an add-on
option for current and former respiratory care majors at YSU. The
study of sleep disorders [Polysomnography] is a rapidly growing
diagnostic area that provides students additional career options.
Students can declare for this certificate program in the junior
year of the respiratory care program. Individuals that complete
the additional 8 semester hours of coursework will be eligible
to sit for national board exams for Polysomnography.
Occupational Outlook
Respiratory Care is a growing
field. With an increasing number of smokers and people asthma, respiratory
therapists will be in demand through the next 10 years. In fact,
according
to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (for 2000-2010), respiratory
therapy is predicted to be one of the fastest growing [of all] occupations.
If
this sounds like the type of career you would enjoy, then the
Respiratory Care Program (B.S.R.C.) at YSU is worth looking into.
For more information, please contact the
program director,
Terry Volsko, at 330-941-2009 or via e-mail at tavolsko@ysu.edu.
• Respiratory
Care Curriculum/Admission Criteria (requires Acrobat Reader)
• Useful Respiratory
Care Related Links
• Frequently Asked Questions
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