Respiratory Care Therapist Program
RSPT 2166 Practicum - Respiratory Care
SPRING 2005

Updated Jan. 18, 2005 by E K Buzbee



Instructors: Corey Spenser B.S.R.C., R.R.T., R.C.P.

                        Naicole Williams A.A.S., R.R.T., R.C.P.
                     Joey Wilson A.A.S., R.R.T., R.C.P.

 


Credit:  2 Credit Hours



Prerequisites:  Departmental Approval


Course Description: Practical general training and experiences in the workplace.  The college, with the employer, develops and documents an individualized plan for the student.  The plan relates the workplace training and experiences to the student's general and technical course of study.  The guided external experiences may be paid or unpaid.  This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.



Course Learning Outcomes: As outlined in the learning plan, the student will master the theory, concepts, and skills involving the tools, materials, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, and legal systems associated with the workplace; demonstrate ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, appropriate verbal and written communications in the workplace. Upon satisfactory completion of this course the student will:

1. Apply, in the clinical setting, all procedures covered in RSPT 1201, 1438, 1439, and 2314.
2. Chart and record patient care in accordance with both program’s criteria and hospital policy.
3. Accurately perform patient assessment and apply related therapeutic protocols.
4. Demonstrate infection control techniques.
5. Provide direct patient care to a multi-culturally diverse population in the adult critical care and intensive care environments.



SCANS:

1. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 1 (reading).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Demonstrates the ability to read and comprehend the medical record

b. Demonstrates the ability to read and comprehend flow sheets
c. Demonstrates the ability to read and comprehend test questions

 

2. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 2 (writing).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

 a. Completes “SOAP” charting on his/her patient in order to assess patient’s status to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ordered respiratory care
 
b. Completes “flowchart” charting to assess the safety and effectiveness of artificial airways and mechanical ventilation

 

3. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 3 (mathematics).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Performs physiologic calculations associated with respiratory critical care in order to collect and evaluate pertinent clinical information
b. Explains physiologic calculations in order to assess the effect of therapeutic decisions on the patient’s status
c. Applies physiologic calculations in order to recommend modification of respiratory care plan based on the clinical information

d. Performs quality assurance techniques to assess effectiveness of respiratory care equipment

 

4. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 4 (speaking and listening).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Contributes to clinical discussions while in conference
b. Gives an oral presentation over a mechanically-ventilated patient cared for during the course
c. Asks questions of colleagues regarding oral presentation

d. Interacts with the professional staff during report

e. interacts with laypersons such as the patient or family members in an appropriate manner

 

5. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 5 (thinking skills).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Evaluates clinical data and patient assessment in the chart in order to assess the effectiveness and safety of ordered therapies
b. Demonstrates problem-solving skills in clinical scenarios in written and computer exams questions   
c. Demonstrates decision-making skills in clinical scenarios in written and computer exams exam questions
d. Demonstrates problem-solving skills in evaluation of ABG analysis, airway management and mechanical ventilation of the patient

e. Based on assessment of patient’s response to therapy, student recommends modifications of care

 

 6. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 6 (personal qualities).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Interacts professionally with their peers in the clinical setting
b. Interacts professionally with faculty and staff in the clinical setting

c. Exhibits self-motivation in the work place

d. Exhibits composure, compassion and empathy to the patient population

 

7. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 7 (workplace competencies).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:

a. Performs all assignments in a safe, timely manner
b. Maintains punctuality throughout the course
c. Follows departmental procedures

 

8. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 8 (basic use of computers).  Performance will be satisfactory if the student

a. When appropriate, successfully charts via computer as per departmental procedure and protocol

b. Uses Data Arc to document attendance and procedures on a daily bases and instructional evaluations at the end of each rotation.

c. Passes the Applied Measurement Professionals entry level examination (NBRC CRT SAE Form C or Form D]


Required Material: 

Professional uniform as outlined in Student Handbook.

4-function calculator.

 


Textbook:

 “Oakes, Dana, Clinical Practitioners Pocket Guide to Respiratory Care.”

All other Respiratory Care textbooks will also be utilized.

The student will purchase and pass an Applied Measurement Professionals entry level examination (NBRC CRT SAE Form C or Form D) during the semester to move into the summer term.  The website is http://www.goamp.com  to purchase and take the examination by February 15, 2006. This exam must be passed before the semester is over. This out-of-class requirement ensures that the student has entry-level skills prior to entering the advanced specialty coursework in the summer and fall.

The grade on this exam will be averaged with the other written exams in this course.


Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class, lab, and clinical sessions unless they are officially excused.  An official absence is granted when such absence is caused by official participation in a college activity and the instructor is informed in advance.  All other absences are unofficial.  Absences caused by unavoidable conditions, such as illness, should be reported to the clinical instructor or the department at the clinical affiliate at least 30 minutes prior to report time.

 

Three tardies equal one absence. Please note that in the clinical setting, a student who arrives at clinical more than 30 minutes late may [at the discretion of the clinical instructor] be sent home and awarded an absence for that day.  Students who are absent from clinical without calling BOTH hospital and school will be awarded a zero for the day.

 

During the Clinical Director’s absence, call Kelley Buzbee at (281) 312-1605 or cell phone number 281.844.7722 by 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled clinical day (utilize voice mail if no answer).  Again, failure to call BOTH hospital and school will result in a zero for that clinical day. 

 

Absences will result in a 1% point reduction of the final average for each absence.  Upon the first absence, a written warning will be given to the student stating that the student will be withdrawn from the program on the third absence

Leave of Absence is NOT given in this program.  Withdrawal is required.


Policies and Procedures: Student may find the following information in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

   -  Withdrawal policy
   -  Attendance policy
   -  Grading scale

The Respiratory Care Therapist Program practices a non-discriminatory admissions policy with respect to race, color, creed, sex, age, or national origin.



Course Structure: Clinical rotations in outlying health care community. click here for spring second year schedule


Clinical Guidelines: All students must comply with clinical guidelines as outlined below.
The student shall:

1. be responsible for notifying the respiratory department at the clinical site and the office of the Clinical Director in a timely manner (see “Attendance” above) if he/she is to be absent or tardy on a scheduled clinical day;

 2. be responsible for the safe, effective, and ethical practice of respiratory care under the supervision of the clinical instructor or appropriate hospital personnel;

 3. comply with all hospital policies and procedures;

 4. perform only those patient care procedures that the instructor has  assigned (prior approval must be obtained from the clinical instructor before additional procedures may be attempted);

5. inform the instructor prior to initiating therapy when he/she is unfamiliar with the procedure/medication/equipment, or has not been checked off by the faculty as completing minimal laboratory  competency levels for the procedure/medication/equipment;

 6. be responsible for keeping the respiratory staff in charge of patient therapy appropriately informed;

7. contact the clinical instructor immediately of any problems concerning the administration of an assigned therapy (emergency situations will require the student seek nursing assistance according to hospital procedures);

8. be responsible for immediately notifying the clinical instructor and supervisory staff of any incident involving a patient or student.

   The student shall not:

  1. respond to emergency codes unless instructed to do so by the  clinical instructor;
  2. discuss the hospital, staff, or patients in a public area at any time (inclusive of hospital and college premises along with all public community areas);
  3. leave the hospital premises until dismissed by the clinical instructor.


Other Materials: Goggles  


Other Information:

Jan 18 – preclinical at Kingwood College

Jan 25- starts first clinical rotation at assigned rotation

Feb.15- CPR re-certification at Kingwood college

Feb 15 - deadline to pay for exit exam

Mar 13-18 - Mid-semester Break

March 22- second clinical affiliate starts
May 10- (tentative) - Final examination


Grading: The clinical grade will be an average of the following (with corresponding weights):

 Clinical Performance -   25%
 Professional Behavior - 20%
 Clinical Notebook -       20%
 EKG Atlas -                    5%
 Clinical Examinations -  20%
 Oral Presentations -      10%


Clinical Performance
Clinical Performance will be assessed via the Data Arc at the end of each clinical rotation in the section labeled “procedures.”  These two scores will be averaged and will comprise 25% of the final grade.



Professional Behavior
Professional Behavior will be assessed via the Data Arc at the end of each clinical rotation. The two scores will be averaged and will comprise 20% of the final grade.


Clinical Notebook
All students will maintain a clinical notebook to be turned in at the end of each rotation.  The notebook will consist of subjective charting forms of patients per “SOAP” (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) format.  A maximum of one “SOAP” per day will be turned in to the clinical instructor first thing in the morning. Please select the patient with the most complex care for SOAP evaluation.  All written work will be averaged at the end of each rotation.  All outside homework assigned per clinical instructor will be averaged as a "SOAP."  Late papers will not be accepted and no make-up work is allowed, however the student returning from an absence can turn in the work that was due on that day.  The Clinical Notebook score will comprise 20% of the final grade. 

 

The student will also be responsible for completing appropriate daily Data Arc documentation for attendance and procedures performed.

All ventilator check-offs and other assignments during preclinical days spent on campus will be averaged under clinical performance.  These grades will not be dropped. No SOAP will be dropped.


EKG Atlas
 A collection of rhythm strips and 12 lead EKG’s will be maintained in an atlas.  The student should collect at least one strip each day, attach it to the form,  and then identify each 6-second strip as “normal sinus rhythm” or “not normal sinus rhythm”. Click here to find rules for NSR.  

 

The atlas will be turned in at midterm and again at the end of the semester. The 12-lead EKGs will be collected to be used for practice later in the course. The student should collect at least three 12-leads.  The atlas will comprise 5% of the final grade. 


Final Examination
 The AMP exam and the comprehensive final examination will be averaged to form  20% of the final grade. Please note that the Applied Measurement Professionals entry level examination (NBRC CRT SAE Form C or Form D) is an exit exam that must be passed to continue in the program.  


 Oral Presentations
 Each student will present an interesting case study in a formal oral presentation format per clinical rotation. These oral presentations will encompass any information to be found in the SOAP document and in the mechanical ventilation sheet as well as a brief discussion of the patient’s disorders’ affects on the cardiopulmonary system.  This oral report will comprise 10% of the final grade and should involve a patient on mechanical ventilation. Failure to be present for the oral report will result in an incomplete for the course.


 A =     90 - 100
 B =     80 - 89
 C =     75 - 79
 D =     67 - 74
 F =     66 and below

A final minimum grade average of 75% must be maintained in order to continue in the Respiratory Care Program.


Schedule: Wednesday 7:00 AM  -  4:00 PM or 2:30 PM-11:30 PM  (exact times may vary depending on clinical institution).



ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I have received a copy and have read the course document for RSPT 2266, Practicum  - Respiratory Therapy Technician.  By signing, I indicate my understanding and willingness to comply with these regulations and requirements.
 

_____________________________        ______________2004
             Signature                                  Date


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