RC 238 - Clinical Practice III

• demonstrate an understanding of the role of the respiratory therapist in the clinical setting;
• demonstrate good working relations in functioning as a member of the health care team;
• demonstrate professional behavior and judgment in terms of appearance, attitudes and conduct with staff and patients;
• demonstrate professional responsibility in terms of attendance and punctuality;
• demonstrate effective communication skills in dealing with staff and patients;
• demonstrate good patient care skills and rapport in establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships with patients;
• describe the structure and function of a respiratory care department;
• describe the organization of patient care areas and function of equipment observed; and
• follow infection control guidelines as outlined in our professional clinical guidelines as well as hospital regulations.

The student will be expected to demonstrate continued competence in all Clinical Practice I & II objectives:

Performance and Knowledge Objectives for Clinical Practice I:

• demonstrate appropriate use of compressed gas cylinders including air, oxygen, heliox, nitric oxide, and any other medical gases used as a therapy;
• demonstrate appropriate use of oxygen delivery devices including air/oxygen blenders, regulators and flowmeters, masks, cannulas, and enclosures;
• demonstrate appropriate use of liquid oxygen systems;
• demonstrate appropriate use of oxygen delivery during patient transport;
• demonstrate an understanding of basic assessment for need of oxygen or other medically therapeutic gas;
• demonstrate an understanding for the need and appropriate use of hyperinflation therapy;
• demonstrate appropriate documentation of therapy; and
• maintain asepsis regarding the above stated skills and clean, disinfect, and/or sterilize equipment.

Performance and Knowledge Objectives for Clinical Practice II:

• assemble a circuit and humidifier system for a mechanical ventilator;
• demonstrate appropriate ability to set up and insure proper function of a mechanical ventilator;
• demonstrate appropriate ability to place initial ventilator settings on the mechanical ventilator;
• demonstrate appropriate ability to troubleshoot ventilator;
• demonstrate and understand how to assess a patient for the need of bronchopulmonary hygiene;
• demonstrate appropriate use of the various bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques currently used;
• select and appropriate bronchopulmonary hygiene device based on patient need/desire;
• demonstrate ability to appropriately suction a patient using both open and closed system methods; and
• demonstrate ability in assisting an intubation procedure.

Performance and Knowledge Objectives for Clinical Practice III:

• demonstrate ability to make appropriate changes in mechanical ventilation settings based on a changing patient condition;
• demonstrate how to assess a patient for their ability to wean from the mechanical ventilator;
• demonstrate an ability to assist in extubation of a patient;
• demonstrate ability to draw and analyze an arterial blood gas sample;
• demonstrate an understanding of and interpret arterial, venous, and capillary blood gas results;
• demonstrate an ability to use advanced cardiopulmonary assessment techniques such as capnography, apnea monitoring, and transcutaneous monitoring and transillumination;
• demonstrate ability to perform pulmonary function testing;
• demonstrate ability to perform electrocardiograms (EKG);
• demonstrate an ability to apply hospital base protocols for the delivery of care to a patient;
• demonstrate an ability to place a patient on non-invasive positive pressure ventilation;
• demonstrate an ability to adjust the settings and mask based on patient response to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation;
• demonstrate an ability to safely transport a patient within a hospital; and
• demonstrate an ability to initiate and conduct home Respiratory Care.