RPTH 400 Patient & Health Care Concerns (1.5 units)

Introduction to the field of Respiratory Care; job responsibility and role within the health care team. Discussion of ethical and legal issues that involve Respiratory Care Practitioners. Discussion of aging, death and dying, and information technologies.

RPTH 410 Introduction to Patient Care & Respiratory Assessment Techniques (3 units)

The study and practice of basic patient care. Also included will be a review of basic science relevant to respiratory therapy and its application to respiratory system assessment. The class will include some hospital practice.

RPTH 415 Respiratory Pharmacology (1.5 units)

Study of general pharmacology principles, basic terminology, drug action, dosage, adverse reactions, and drug toxicity. Emphasis will include physiologic actions/interactions and cardio-respiratory medication categorization.

RPTH 420 Application of Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology (3 units)

Study of the healthy cardiopulmonary system with application to the types of alterations that occur with disease.

RPTH 430 Introduction to Respiratory Therapeutics (6 units)

Study and laboratory practice of basic respiratory care procedures. Oxygen and aerosol therapy, alveolar recruitment therapy, airway clearance procedures, advanced airway management, cleaning and care of respiratory therapy equipment, and introduction to ventilation concepts are included.

RPTH 438 Clinical Clerkship I (1 units)

Supervised experience in the medical/surgical areas of a local hospital, observing and performing respiratory care procedures to non-critical care patients.

RPTH 445 Respiratory Diseases I (2 units)

Using chronic pulmonary disease as models, the student will learn disease terminology, disease classification, history taking and physical examination. Also included will be basic radiologic, clinical and pulmonary diagnostics.

RPTH 448 Clinical Clerkship II (2 units)

Supervised experience in the medical/surgical patient care areas of a local hospital. Emphasis is on attaining proficiency in skills performed by a Respiratory Care Practitioner in these areas.

RPTH 450 Respiratory Diseases II (3 units)

Continuation of the study of cardiopulmonary diseases utilizing the model developed in RPTH 445 to include the treatment and pharmacotherapy of selected disorders.

RPTH 458 Clinical Clerkship III (6 units)

Supervised experience in the adult intensive care unit and/or coronary care unit patient of a local hospital. Emphasis is on attaining proficiency in skills performed by a respiratory care practitioner in these areas.

RPTH 460 Respiratory Critical Care (3 units)

Study and practice of techniques necessary to provide respiratory care to patients in adult critical care areas. Emphasis includes advanced airway management, ventilator care, respiratory assessment, monitoring and management, and effective communication.

RPTH 475 Hemodynamic Monitoring and Selected Topics in Respiratory Care (2 units)

The application of advanced principles of cardiopulmonary diagnostics and physiology to the care of critically ill patients. The application of above principles to other body systems.

RPTH 480 Diagnostic Testing and Outpatient Respiratory Care (2 units)

By learning concepts in various diagnostic testing studies, the student will be able to identify changes in patient’s pulmonary status and assist the healthcare team in the outpatient setting to improve patient’s quality of life. Fundamental aspects of pulmonary function testing, exercise testing, and metabolic studies, as well as opportunities for Respiratory Therapists in various outpatient settings will be explored.

RPTH 485 Clinical Medicine Seminar (2 units)

Integration of pathology, pathophysiology, diagnostics techniques and therapeutic modalities through the utilization of patient case studies. Preparation for job placement.

RPTH 488 Clinical Clerkship IV (6 units)

Supervised experience in the Adult Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal/Pediatric Care Units of a local hospital and other specialty areas. Emphasis is on attaining proficiency in skills performed by a Respiratory Care Practitioner in these areas.

RPTH 490 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (2.5 units)

Student will master the basic foundation and competent delivery of respiratory care with this age specific population by applying the normal and abnormal cardiorespiratory anatomy and physiology of the newborn and pediatric patient. This course will give the student the necessary background to pursue further studies in this specialized area.

RPTH 495 Respiratory Care Board Examination Preparation and Review (2 units)

Preparation and review for the Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, and licensure procedures through the Respiratory Care Board of California.

RPTH 665 Selected Topics in Respiratory Care (0.5- 2 units)

This course is designed to develop specific skills that are utilized in the practice of respiratory care. The course may focus on new areas of practice or specialized skills.

RPTH 695 Independent Study in Respiratory Care (1 units)

Students will reinforce their current knowledge of respiratory care practices in selected areas of basic therapeutics, diagnostic procedures and critical care. Varying modes of instruction will be used – laboratory, research, skill development, etc. For each unit earned, students are required to devote three hours per week throughout the semester. Students may only take only one Independent Study course within a given discipline.

RPTH B10 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Respiratory Care (3 units)

Provides an analytical framework through which students will expand their knowledge of respiratory diseases, diagnostic procedures, and symptom management. Includes detailed assessment of cardiopulmonary and neurorespiratory diseases, performance of diagnostic testing, medical interventions, and analysis of treatment benefits.

RPTH B15 Sleep Medicine and Respiratory Care (3 units)

Prepares students to apply polysomnography to diagnose sleep disorders. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to the normal development of sleep pattern and demonstrate the ability to identify specific sleep disorders as well as score sleep stages and respiratory patterns. Emphasis is placed on pediatric and adult assessment, monitoring, and sleep disorders.

RPTH B20 Advanced Respiratory Case Management (3 units)

Applied case management in Respiratory Care highlighting facilitation, integration, coordination and transition of patients through the continuum of care. Students effectively apply strategies for collaboration between the case manager, the client, the payer and appropriate service personnel, in order to optimize the outcome while maintaining client privacy and confidentiality, health, and safety through advocacy and adherence to ethical, legal, accreditation, certification and regulator standards or guidelines.

RPTH B30 Principles of Health Education (3 units)

Provides an analytical framework to teach adult learning theory and prepare the student to teach effectively in healthcare and classroom settings. Topics include learning styles, curriculum development, effective teaching techniques, and assessment of learning.

RPTH B40 Health Care Research Design and Methodology (3 units)

Analysis of research design and methodology in health care and health sciences. Emphasis will include research evaluation and interpretation of results, design methodology, the planning and approval process, data collection and analysis, and communication and presentation of the results.

RPTH B50 Respiratory Care Leadership and Management I (3 units)

Leadership and management theories in effective practices in the healthcare setting. Organizational structure of current healthcare models are discussed. Emphasis is placed on development of skills in leadership, communication, time management, problem solving, motivation and other critical competencies. Specific attention is focused on the role of leadership, along with specific functions and operations, in a Respiratory Care Department.

RPTH B52 Respiratory Care Leadership and Management II (3 units)

Application of advanced level of skills learned in Respiratory Care Leadership and Management I through case based model approach in various aspects of providing respiratory health care management. Students will identify and apply strategic models to analyze problems, formulate solutions, and make sound decisions.

RPTH B60 Advanced Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (3 units)

Advanced concepts of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Emphasis placed on neonatal and pediatric pathophysiology and on specific therapeutic needs of neonates and children. Students will demonstrate competence in assessment skills, formulation of treatment plans, and application of specific respiratory care modalities for neonatal and pediatric patients.

RPTH B90 Respiratory Care Capstone Project (2.5 units)

Capstone course in Respiratory Care focused in areas of advanced cardiopulmonary respiratory care, leadership and management, case management, research, education, or other special area of interest. Student will identify and complete a project applying knowledge and skills learned in the program. Projects will be developed in collaboration with faculty and community members and are aligned with student area of interest.