About Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapists possess a lot of knowledge on the cardio-pulmonary system. So the daily work of an RT may include:
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Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods.
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Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on their evaluation of the patient.
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Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen and other gases.
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Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients in neonatal, pediatric or adult ICU who can’t breathe normally on their own.
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Responding to Code Blue, a cardiac arrest, or other urgent calls for care in the ER or critical care.
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Interviewing patients and doing chest physical exams to determine what kind of therapy is best for their condition.
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Educating patients and families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery
Program Description
The Respiratory Care Program is designed to educate students in the science of cardiopulmonary care. It is an academic and clinical curriculum encompassing full time study. Students are instructed in the classroom and at multiple clinical facilities. The program utilizes the college’s Clinical Simulation Laboratory to help students learn prior to delivering patient care. The program is authorized by the Commission for Accreditation of Respiratory Care to admit students. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NBRC entry and advanced level (CRT and RRT) examinations and are awarded an associate in applied science degree.
Mission
The Respiratory Care Program will prepare its students to enter the profession with knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for clinical competence and critical thinking in the cardiopulmonary care of the patient. The program will provide the students with didactic, laboratory and clinical learning to prepare them to obtain the registered respiratory therapist credential.
Educational Outcomes
Upon completion of the curriculum, the graduates will:
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Function as an integral part of the healthcare team.
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Provide patients with competent, efficient and professional cardiopulmonary care.
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Utilize theoretical knowledge, clinical experience and critical thinking as basis for professional practice.
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Practice responsibly within the ethical and legal realm of the respiratory therapist.
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Demonstrate compassionate and culturally sensitive patient care. Assumes responsibility for life long learning, professional development, and community service.
Clinical Facilities
Students in LGCNHS Respiratory Care program will have a clinical experience in every RCP semester. The primary clinical site will be Lancaster General Hospital but students will also have required observational clinical at other facilities. Clinical experiences will occur in general patient care, adult critical care, neonatal critical care, pediatrics, sleep study, cardiology, home care and long term acute care. Prior to entering the patient care setting students must demonstrate procedural competence in classroom laboratories and in the clinical simulation laboratory. While in the clinical simulation laboratory students will experience real life scenarios on high fidelity computerized mannequins.
Class Standing
Respiratory Care students designated as Year I and Year II are defined as follows:
Year I: 0-37 credits
Year II: 38-68 credits (with all 100 level RCP courses passed)
Course of Study: Degree Students
This is a two year (six semester) course of study, see our College Catalog (PDF) (at the left navigation on this page.)
Courses
Course descriptions are coming soon. Please contact David Zobeck - Chair of Respiratory Care Program,
dz001@lancastergeneralcollege.edu, (717) 544-7683 for more information.
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RCP 110. Respiratory Care Procedures I.
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RCP 120. Respiratory Procedures Laboratory I.
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RCP 130. Respiratory Theory I.
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RCP 140. Respiratory Care Procedures II.
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RCP 150. Respiratory Procedures Laboratory II.
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RCP 160. Respiratory Theory II.
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RCP 200. Entry Level Review and RC Delivery.
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RCP 210. Respiratory Care Procedures III.
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RCP 220. Respiratory Procedures Laboratory III.
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RCP 230. Respiratory Theory III.
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RCP 240. Clinical Level I.
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RCP 250. Respiratory Care Procedures IV.
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RCP 260. Respiratory Procedures Laboratory IV.
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RCP 270. Respiratory Theory IV.
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RCP 280. Advanced Level RC Review.
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RCP 290. Clinical Level II.
The LGCNHS Respiratory Care program holds a Letter of Review from the Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care. (
www.coarc.com). For more information contact:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835
Updated 11/24/09