RT 121 - Orientation to RC

Credits: 2

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the respiratory care profession and accreditation policy.
   1. Discuss the beginnings and the history of respiratory care as a profession.
   2. Relate the history of respiratory care to current practices.
   3. State the name, acronym, and function of the state and national professional societies, credentialing organization, and school accreditation agency, and state the sponsoring agencies of each.
   4. Discuss the role, structure, and support of the professional organizations.
   5. Discuss the importance of participation in a professional society by membership, participation in activities and/or other appropriate activities.
   6. State the recognized job titles and describe the job function of each.
   7. State the mechanism and requirements for credentialing of both levels of practitioners.
   8. Discuss state licensure requirements, the national trend regarding licensure, and Michigan's licensure status.
   9. Compare professional status granted by state licensure and credentialing agencies.
   10. Name the respiratory therapy school accrediting agency and its sponsoring agencies, and state its acronym.
   11. Discuss the accreditation process for a respiratory care school.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the Code of Ethics for respiratory therapists.
   1. Discuss the behavior characteristics demonstrated by a professional practitioner and implied by the term “professional” including (but not limited to):
      1. Personal habits and mannerisms
      2. Acceptance of responsibility
      3. Not exceeding level of training in clinical practice
      4. Tact
      5. Empathy
      6. Following department and clinical policies of the assigned clinic
      7. Acknowledging strengths, weaknesses, and errors
      8. Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy
   2. Discuss the overlapping roles of other members of the health care team.
   3. Appreciate the responsibility of the hospital for all its employees and visiting students.
   4. Discuss the medical and professional code of ethics and the “Patient Bill of rights” as basis for quality and empathetic care.
   5. Discuss the legal implications of medical practice.
   6. Discuss the mannerisms and attitudes exhibited by a professional health care practitioner.
   7. Be aware of the shared care responsibility of the hospital, college, respiratory care department, instructor, and student in the event of a malpractice lawsuit; and the need for malpractice liability insurance; and the need for documentation of clinical skills.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of hospital accreditation and therapist driven protocols.
   1. Name the hospital accrediting agency and its sponsoring agencies, and state its acronym.
   2. Given a clinical scenario:
      1. Develop an objective plan for information gathering.
      2. Recommend an appropriate plan of treatment.
      3. Provide an appropriate rationale for the plan of treatment.
   3. Discuss the role of the hospital accrediting agency and its specifications for a respiratory care department.
   4. Explain a hospital administration’s view of the role of students in a hospital setting, and the responsibility and liability for the patient’s safety.
   5. Explain the philosophy of at least one hospital.
   6. Draw or explain the organizational flowchart of at least one hospital, including the hospital administrative level and the student, and other lateral health care units outside the respiratory care department.
   7. Relate the job classifications to professional preparation and credentials, either in at least one respiratory care department or according to AARC guidelines.
   8. Explain the role of JCAH in the respiratory care department.
   9. Explain the role of the Medical Director of the respiratory care department.
   10. Explain the importance of accurate record keeping as documentation of care given, and/or auditing as a quality control maneuver.
   11. Demonstrate the ability to document appropriately in the patient’s chart.
   12. Describe the steps involved in purchasing equipment to meet therapy goals; the process of having a department budget approved and functioning within that budget; and the role of third party payers in department structures, function and growth.
   13. Explain the general fire safety procedures utilized in the college’s clinical affiliates.
   14. State the specialty respiratory/cardiovascular services offered in each of the hospitals toured.
   15. Identify the individuals and state the name and credentials of the management staff, supervisory staff on the shift to which the student is assigned, and the assigned clinical instructor at the assigned clinic.
   16. Describe and demonstrate the method of paging individuals within the hospital.
   17. Locate the Department’s copy of the Procedure and Policy Manual, and locate specific procedure and/or policy statements within it.
   18. Locate a clock with the official Department time.
   19. Locate the Department, department storerooms, restrooms, cafeteria, outside doors, parking lots, assigned nursing units, student lockers or storage areas, and elevators and stairways.
   20. Locate areas and equipment within the department which the student will utilize.
   21. Adhere to the department policy regarding borrowing and returning educational materials.
   22. State the times and locations of shift report.
   23. Appreciate and reflect in behavior the feelings of the various practitioners in the department regarding the role and expertise of students.
   24. Explain the basic components of Therapist-Driven Protocols (TDPs).
   25. Describe different types of protocols.
   26. Identify factors in the successful implementation of TDPs.
   27. Discuss factors that may interfere with successful implementation of TDPs.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of resumes and careers in respiratory care.
   1. Explain the purpose and various components of an appropriate resume. 
   2. Write an appropriate resume.
   3. Identify appropriate interviewing skills.
   4. Demonstrate appropriate interviewing skills.
   5. Describe the type of job that is likely to provide the environment for adequate preparation for the registry examinations.
   6. Research job possibilities.
   7. Discuss the possible upward and lateral mobility mechanisms in the field of Respiratory Care.
5. Demonstrate the ability to perform:
   1. a blood pressure.
   2. basic cardiac life support to current American Heart Association standards (two year certification).