Online Course Descriptions

The focus of this course is a thorough review of ventilatory support techniques.  Emphasis is placed on adult applications; however, some neonatal and pediatric support techniques are covered.  Topics include etiology of respiratory failure, physical implications of positive pressure ventilation, methods of providing support, prescribing machine settings and managing the patient-ventilator system, hemodynamic and gas exchange monitoring, weaning techniques, and non-invasive applications.

The focus of this course is on the theoretical application of respiratory care to the pediatric and newborn patient.  Topics include development of the pulmonary and cardiovascular system, patient assessment, intrinsic lung diseases, congenital heart diseases, SIDS and apnea, applied pharmacotherapy, surfactant replacement therapy, and ventilatory support techniques.

The focus of this course is to review the etiology, pathology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatments for common pulmonary diseases.  Disease topics include asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, shock, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, smoke inhalation and burns, ARDS, chest trauma, atelectasis, neuromuscular disease, and pneumonia.

The focus of this course is to provide a statistics course specifically for health science majors using techniques and data structures relevant to clinical investigations.  General topics include choosing correct procedures and using statistics to understand clinical data.  Specific topics include but are not limited to; study design, central tendency and variability, probability, repeated measures analysis of variance, data association and prediction, and evaluating diagnostic procedures.

The focus of this course is to introduce students to leadership theories in healthcare. This course provides a foundation for future healthcare leaders. Students are exposed to a series of alternative leadership perspectives, including collaborative models. Topics include: defining leadership, interdisciplinary and interprofessional working, communication and leadership, and leadership for change.

This distance learning course considers ethical theories and principles applicable to the allied health professions with a primary focus on Respiratory Care. Using scholarly inquiry, including case studies, students will analyze ethical dilemmas that may occur in their professional roles as respiratory therapists. Students will address ethical and legal circumstances across the lifespan in diverse socioeconomic and cultural situations.

The focus of this course is to train the student in the basic processes of education.  Emphasis is placed on classroom as well as a clinical instruction.  Topics include learning styles, developing objectives, teaching methods, questioning and problem solving strategies, characteristics and roles of the clinical instructor, and use of appropriate evaluation instruments.

Educational and managerial skills appropriate to the advancement of the respiratory therapist.  Students will develop, implement, and evaluate relevant projects.  May be repeated once with varied content.

Introduction to emerging areas within the profession.  Students will develop skills in chosen specialization by designing, implementing and evaluating appropriate projects.  (May be repeated once with different content). (May require additional certifications, credentials, and continuing education hours to fulfill course requirements).

The focus of this course is the study of standard methodologies used to diagnose and monitor patients with pulmonary disease.  Emphasis is placed on technical aspects as well as disease presentation.  Topics include measurement and analysis of lung volumes, ventilation, pulmonary mechanics, gas distribution, diffusion testing, exercise testing, quality assurance, and blood gas analysis.

The focus of this course is to instruct the respiratory care student in the role research plays in the practice of respiratory care.  Quality improvement is used to emphasize the basic components of research.  Topics include problems development, literature review, data analysis techniques and interpretation, institutional review boards, and communicating the results.

The focus of this course is to introduce the student to managing health care services.  Emphasis is placed on development of skills in leadership, communication, time management, problem solving, motivation, and other critical competencies.  Topics include methods to achieve greater productivity, policy improvement, recruitment, selection, and training of new employees, as well as current issues facing the health care system.

This course focuses on determinants of health of individuals and the challenges faced by communities as they work to improve the health of their residents. The student will develop plans to maximize the use of community resources to address both acute and chronic respiratory conditions.