Respiratory care practitioners care for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system, like asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive lung disease. They work with patients of all ages and in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, pulmonary function labs, and physicians’ offices. This program allows students to earn an AS degree which is sufficient for entry into the field and also allows for transfer admission in BS programs.
Utica University is currently in the process of seeking the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Utica University can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
https://coarc.com/
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status is posted on the Programmatic Outcomes Data Web page on the CoARC website. 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.
Graduates from this program will be prepared with:
1. demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
2. the skills necessary to care for diverse patient populations and backgrounds in a variety of clinical and community-based settings in an equitable, respectful, and inclusive manner.
Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Respiratory Care AS Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences are designed to provide support and integration of the academic coursework. A respiratory care faculty member will provide direct, on-site supervision for clinical experiences.
1. All students must provide their own transportation to clinical settings. Parking at clinical facilities is at the student’s expense.
2. All students must meet orientation and health requirements for each clinical prior to clinical start date.
3. NO cell phones allowed in the clinical setting.
4. Excused student absences from clinical will be evaluated by the course instructor relative to meeting course objectives. Recommended remediation will be determined conjointly by faculty and the student. Initiation of remediation is the student’s responsibility.
5. Clinical experiences are graded on a pass/fail (P/F) basis. Outcome criteria for clinical evaluation are clearly stated in the course syllabus and clinical evaluation tool.
6. A student who is found to endanger the health/welfare of a client will be considered to have engaged in misconduct.
The following constitute cause for immediate dismissal from the clinical setting and failure of the clinical course, as well as dismissal from the nursing program:
1. Coming to clinical under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Emotional or physical jeopardy–Any action by the student toward a patient, family/significant other of patient, or staff member(s) such as, but not limited to the following: threat to emotional and/or physical well-being; willfully harassing; physically, verbally or emotionally abusing; use of intimidation.
7. Students who commit acts judged by the clinical instructor to be unsafe may be dismissed from the clinical setting and/or course. Examples of unsafe acts include, but are not limited to:
1. Error in medication administration.
2. Administration of a medication without having knowledge of the drug.
3. Inaccurate recording or failure to record medication administration.
4. Error in administration of intravenous fluids.
5. Failure to report changes in patient’s condition.
6. Failure to seek supervision when necessary.
7. Failure to report and document nursing care.
8. Compromising patient care by inadequate preparation for clinical experience.
9. Breach of confidentiality.
10. Neglecting personal safety.
11. Creating or causing personal safety hazards.
12. Sleeping in the clinical area.
Upon the incidence of an unsafe act by a student, the clinical instructor will:
1. Inform the student immediately of the unsafe act.
2. Provide the student with written documentation concerning the unsafe act.
3. Review the incident and counsel the student, recommending remediation as needed.
4. Place copy of incident report in student’s academic file.
5. Follow the policy for reporting an incident as required by the clinical agency or institution.
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