Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care Technology

Bowling Green State University

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.

Program Goals

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered therapists (RRTs).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes.

Identify, evaluate, apply, and integrate fundamental knowledge of respiratory care as well as advanced concepts in adult, pediatric, and neonatal patient care into the diagnostic assessment, management, and treatment of patients.

Demonstrate competency in the clinical procedural skills associated with the role and scope of practice of a respiratory care professional.

Exhibit the set of professional behaviors expected of a respiratory therapist.