Respiratory Care Therapist Program
RSPT 2230: Examination Preparation
Fall 2006
Instructor: William R. Scott, B.S., R.R.T.
Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisites: Departmental Approval
Course Description: Comprehensive review for selected respiratory care credentialing examinations. Test matrices and exam content areas for selected exams will be presented.
Learning Outcomes: Explain the matrices and content area of selected exams; demonstrate the ability to use a computerized testing format; and employ test taking skills.
The student will demonstrate the ability to answer and discuss Entry Level examination type questions.
The student will demonstrate the ability to answer and discuss Written RRT examination level questions.
The student will demonstrate the ability to answer and discuss RRT Clinical Simulation type problems.
The student will be able to evaluate and critically think in the examination setting.
The student will understand the preparation required to prepare for credentialing examinations.
The student will successfully complete the Entry Level CRT assessment examination with a passing score of 75.
The student will successfully complete the Written RRT assessment examination with a passing score of 70.
The student will successfully complete the Clinical Simulation assessment examination with a passing score of 70 in the Information Gathering and
70 in the Decision Making portions of the examination.
Course Structure: Didactic and laboratory
Textbook: Persing, G., (2002). Respiratory care exam review (2nd ed.).
Optional Textbooks:
Sills, R.
A., (2005). Entry level respiratory therapist exam guide (4th ed.).
Sills,
R. A., (2005). Advanced respiratory therapist exam guide (3rd ed.).
SCANS: The Secretary’s commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) has identified (1) reading, (2) writing, (3) mathematics, (4) speaking and listening, (5) thinking skills, (6) personal qualities, (7) workplace competencies, and (8) basic use of computers as Competencies required to enter employment.
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 written examination
questions.
2. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 2 (writing). Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:
a. Demonstrates the ability to write a comprehensive essay response on homework assignments.
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
b. Explains physiologic calculations
c. Applies physiologic calculations
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 classroom discussions
b. Communicates with colleagues over discussions in the classroom
5. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 5 (thinking skills). Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:
a. Evaluation of patient assessment data.
b. Demonstrates problem solving skills in clinical scenarios
c. Demonstrates decision-making skills in clinical scenarios
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 colleagues in the classroom
b. Interacts professionally with faculty in the classroom
7. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 7 (workplace competencies). Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:
a. Performs and delivers assignments in a timely manner
8. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of SCANS competency 8 (basic use of computers). Performance will be satisfactory if the student successfully:
a. Perform clinical simulations on computers.
b. Demonstrate ability to enter DOS clinical simulations on Microsoft word based computers
Required
Material: Three AMP (Applied Measuring Professionals) computerized examinations MUST be taken and successfully completed for this course. These three examinations are:
Entry Level Assessment (based on the written CRT Exam) ($35.00)
Registry Level Assessment (based on the written RRT Exam) ($35.00)
Clinical Level Assessment (based on the Registry Clinical Simulation Exam) ($ 55.00)
The AMP exams cost a total of one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($ 125.00) and MUST be Paid
in Full by September 1st, 2006. Payment is made at the Kingwood College Business Office. Students should keep their receipt and have the instructor make a photocopy of it.
NOTE:
1. Failure to promptly pay for these exams will result in an automatic drop from this course.
2. A failed examination (lower then cut score) must be repeated until passed. Any repeated examination must be repurchased at the students expense ($ 40.00/40.00/60.00 each).
3. Passage of all examinations is required prior to completion of this course.
4. Repeat AMP Exams must be attempted on the students own time.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all class and lab 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 instructor before the scheduled class time (281-312-1635). Role will be called at the start of class. Anyone not present will be recorded absent. It is the responsibility of a late (tardy) student to notify the instructor during break, that they are not absent. Please note that any call-ins for absence or tardy will none-the-less count as an absence or tardy.
Each absences will result in a one-percentage point subtraction (-1.0 %) from the final course grade average calculation. Each tardy will result in a one third percentage point reduction (-0.333 %) from the final course grade average calculation (i.e.: 2 absences plus 2 tardies will result in a minus 2.67% from the final course grade average). A tardy of greater than 30 minutes will count as a half day absence and count as a half percent reduction (-0.5%) from the final grade averaging.
WARNING!!! Three absences will result in an automatic drop from this course plus all other respiratory care course work. Three tardies will be weighted as an absence and be counted in the three absence maximum resulting in an automatic drop. All students are warned of this excessive absence/tardiness penalty (i.e.: 2 absences plus 3 tardies will result in an automatic drop from all respiratory care course work). Note: Students have only two (2) allowable absences.
Leave of Absence is NOT given in this program. Withdrawal is required.
Any student wishing to withdraw from this, or any course, must first interview with the professor.
Policies and
Procedures: Students 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.
Other Materials: Any textbook in CRT or RRT examination preparation will be beneficial for this course.
Recommended: www.tutorialsystems.com ($14.95/month; unlimited questions)
www.ketteringseminars.com/crt_mkt_2.cfm (300 questions/ $ 30.00)
Calendar: September 1 First day of class
September 1 All AMP Exams are paid deadline
September 21 Entry Level AMP Exam - Thursday: 0700 - 1030
November 10 Last day to drop and receive a "W"
November 24 Thanksgiving Holiday (no class)
November 28 RTT Written Exam - Tuesday: 0730 - 1000
December 1 Clinical Simulation Exam - 0815 - 1250
Final Examination - is the average of ALL AMP exams
Class Schedule: Friday 0800 - 0850 Lecture
0900 - 1250 Lab
Two AMP examinations will be given each on a clinical day:
Thursday, 09/21/2006 (0700 - 1030) Entry Level AMP Exam
Tuesday, 11/28/2006 (0730 - 1000) RRT Written Level AMP Exam
Homework: The weekly homework assignment is instrumental in preparing the student for the
NBRC examination. Some students may have already begun their NBRC review by
constructing flash cards, etc.. However, this course shall require a specific document to
be constructed.
Homework will be due and collected only at the start of every class day. Homework prepared
after the start of class is considered "late" and will not be collected nor given credit. The
maximum homework credit earned for the final grade averaging will be 12 %, or 1 % per week
times 12 weeks.
The ongoing homework assignment will consist of the student constructing and printing
a Word Document (at students own expense) on a weekly basis, consisting of
guidelines/rules/data/formulas/facts/etc., concerning the NBRC hospital. This document
can serve as a personal review document for the NBRC examinations.
Each student should maintain PC or disk storage of their homework document. Also,
date and number each assignment before weekly submission. The instructor will
maintain a folder on collected homework. This folder should exhibit significant progress
on a weekly basis for full homework credit. Please remember that the college computers
are purged of storage data at the conclusion of each day.
Quizzes: Weekly timed pop quizzes will be given. These quizzes will be based generally on
lecture, homework and RC program material previously covered. Quizzes will count a
maximum of 12 % towards the final course grade. Missed quizzes can not be made up.
The quizzes will consist of multiple-choice questions. Each quiz will be timed for 90
seconds times the number of questions tested. All students will begin at the same time and turn their test papers over when ordered to do so. Unanswered questions will be graded as incorrect.
Test Taking: Prior to taking an exam or quiz, all books, papers, food, drinks and
personal items must be removed from desk tops. Also, students
will sit at opposite ends of tables. No calculators will be allowed during
test taking unless the instructor waves this requirement.
Cell Phones & Pagers:
Students are required to turn off cell phones and pagers during class time.
If an emergency situation exists and only with instructor approval, these devices
may be placed in “vibrate” mode. However, leaving the classroom to answer an
emergency call MUST be an infrequent occurrence.
Grading: Attendance and professional classroom participation will comprise 12 % of the final grade
averaging for this course. Homework and quiz averages will each comprise 12% of
of the final course grade (or 24% total). All AMP examinations attempted will be weighted
equally averaged and count toward 64 % of the final grade averaging.
The final grade will be based on the following example:
Course Participation and Attendance 12%
Homework 12%
Quizzes 12%
Average of all AMP Exams 64%
Final Course Grade 100%
Passing the AMP examination the first time, achieving good attendance, providing good
class participation and completing all homework assignments will result in an "A" for the
course. A "B" will be the maximum grade possible if a repeat examination is required
in any AMP examination required to pass the course. A "I" or “Incomplete” will be given
to any student not passing all three AMP examinations by December 15th, 2006. If an "I"
is given, the maximum grade received will be a “C” upon passing all AMP exams. Any student
unable to pass all three AMP exams by May 12th, 2007, will receive an "F" in this course
and this course must be repeated.
A letter grade will be awarded following the guide below.
B = 80 - 89
C = 75 - 79
D = 65 – 74
A minimum final grade of "C" must be earned in this course in order to complete the
Respiratory Care Therapist Program.
Academic Integrity (from NHMCCD Catalogue): NHMCCD is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments, collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course. Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student’s exam, orally communicating or receiving answers during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam. Plagiarism means passing off as one’s own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be completed individually. These definitions are not exhaustive.
When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misrepresentation, a faculty member will take disciplinary action including but not limited to: requiring the student to retake or resubmit an exam or assignment, assigning a grade of zero or “F” for an exam or assignment, or assigning a grade of “F” for the course. Additional sanctions including being withdrawn from the course/program or being expelled from school may be imposed on a student who violates the standards of academic integrity.
Disability Support
Services: Any student who needs any type of
services because of a disability must meet
with
LeeAnn Coulson before they will
be approved for accommodations. LeeAnn’s office
is
located in the
proves that a disability exists. At that time, Ms. Coulson will issue a “Support Services
Checklist” to the student who will then submit that to the instructor.
Course Drop: Students are required to talk with their instructor before attempting
to drop this or any other respiratory care course.
Semester Schedule:
Date Subject
September 1 Read syllabus & give a course overview
Classroom Discussion - Persing Chapters 1- 9
Timed Quiz # 1
September 8 Homework Due # 1: Prepare Study Guide Outline for Persing, Ch 1- 9
Classroom Discussion - Persing Chapters 10 - 17
Timed Quiz # 2
September 15 Homework Due # 2: Persing, Chapters 10 - 17
Classroom Discussion - Persing CD - Entry Level Exam
Timed Quiz # 3
September 21 AMP Entry Level Examination Assessment* (0700 - 1030)
September 22 Homework Due # 3: Persing, Chapters CD - Entry Level
Classroom Discussion - AMP Entry Level Exam / Persing Written CRT Exam
Timed Quiz # 4
September 29 Homework Due # 5: Persing Written CRT Exam
Classroom Discussion - Persing Written RRT Exam
Timed Quiz # 5
October 6 Homework Due # 5: Persing Written RRT Exam
Classroom Discussion - Persing Written RRT CD Exam
Timed Quiz # 6
October 13 Homework Due # 6: Persing Written RRT CD Exam
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam
Timed Quiz # 7
October 20 Homework Due # 7: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 1
Timed Quiz # 8
October 27 Homework Due # 8: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 1
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 2
Timed Quiz # 9
November 3 Homework Due # 9: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 2
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 3
Timed Quiz # 10
November 10 Homework Due # 10: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 3
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 4
Timed Quiz # 11
November 17 Homework Due # 11: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 4
Classroom Discussion - Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 5
Timed Quiz # 12
November 24 Thanksgiving Holiday - No classes
November 28 AMP RRT Written Exam (0730 - 1000)
December 1 Homework Due # 12: Persing RRT Clinical Simulation CD Exam - continued # 5
AMP RRT Clinical Simulation Exam (0815 - 1250)*
December 8 Classroom Discussion - AMP RRT Registry Written and Clinical Simulation Exams
*Note - two clinical days (September 21, November 28, will be spent testing under the NBRC computerized
examination format utilizing the AMP exams.
The above semester schedule is tentative
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have received a copy and have read the course document for RSPT 2230, Examination Preparation. By signing, I indicate my understanding and willingness to comply with these regulations and requirements.
Student Signature: ________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________________________