Health Services

To prepare graduates for employment as competent and safe respiratory therapists.

• Graduates are employed in a related field within 6 months of graduation or will continue their education.

To prepare the students to demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their roles as respiratory therapists

• Employers are satisfied with the knowledge base of program graduates.
• Graduates are satisfied with the knowledge base obtained in the Respiratory Care Program

To prepare graduates to pass the national licensure exams,

• Graduates will pass the national licensure exams within 2 years of graduation.

To prepare students and graduates to demonstrate technical proficiencies in all skills necessary to fulfill their roles as respiratory therapists,

• Students will perform the psychomotor skills required of a respiratory therapist, during clinical sessions.
• Employers are satisfied with the psychomotor skills of program graduates.
• Graduates are satisfied with the psychomotor skills obtained in the Respiratory Care Program.

To prepare students and graduates to demonstrate behavioral skills essential to functioning as effective respiratory therapists.

• Students will communicate effectively in the clinical environment.
• Graduates are satisfied with the behavioral skills obtained in the Respiratory Care Program.
• Employers are satisfied with the behavioral skills of program graduates.

To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

• Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
• Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

This course develops the skills necessary to improve success in college. It covers general College procedures, time management and study skills, and specific student responsibilities. Collaborative projects are included. Corequisites: This course must be taken in the student’s first fifteen hours of study.

This course focuses on self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive writing. Emphasis is placed on the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: The required developmental reading (DS050 Developmental Reading, DS051 Essential Reading & Study Skills, or DS080 Study Reading), or SL115 ESL4: Advanced Reading, and/or writing courses (EN099 Introduction to College English or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition) or permission of the instructor or designee.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.
• For enhanced success, it is recommended these courses be taken at MVCC and not transferred in from another college.
• Grades of D will allow student to advance to upper level coursework, but these courses must be repeated with a grade of C to be eligible to graduate.
• Grades of F will not be accepted to advance to upper level coursework.

This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or equivalent preparation, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework.

This course addresses topics in mathematics, physics, chemistry and microbiology related to respiratory care practice.Mathematical areas include graphing, nomograms and basic statistics. Physics and chemistry topics include the states of matter, humidity, gas pressure, gas laws, acids, bases, buffers, fluid dynamics, compliance, elastance and surface tension. A four-week module provides an introduction to microbiology at the end of the semester. Emphasis is placed on microbes that commonly involve the respiratory system.The course delivery mode is a hybrid on-line/on-site combination requiring attendance at microbiology lab sessions on the Utica Campus the last two weeks of class. Prerequisites:An appropriate Math Placement test result, or MA045 Basic Math Skills, or MA050 Introductory Mathematics. (Fall semester)

This course presents the principles of pharmacology, drug actions, dosage calculations, and agents administered in cardiopulmonary care. It covers indications, side effects, hazards, and mechanisms of action, general categories, and classification of drugs. Respiratory, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, sedative-narcotic, and anti-infective agents are reviewed. Prerequisites:An appropriate Math Placement test result, or MA045 Basic Math Skills, or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.A minimum grade of C is required for a Mathematics equivalent course. (Fallsemester)

This is the first course in the curriculum sequence to study the theory and practice of respiratory care.Topics include cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology (including lung and cardiac function, mechanics of breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange,and control of ventilation), gas administration therapies, humidity and aerosol therapies and bronchial hygiene techniques. Prerequisites: An appropriate Math Placement test result, or MA045 Basic Math Skills, or MA050 Introductory Mathematics..A minimum grade of C is required for a Mathematics equivalent course. (Fall semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature and a full-length book of nonfiction. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisites: EN101 English 1: Composition.

This course, which is a continuation of BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. Students with transfer credit for BI106 Anatomy and Physiology 1 must complete a three-hour orientation to the use of prosected human cadavers before participating in the BI107 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 laboratory. Transfer students must meet with the Life Science Department Head thirty days before beginning this course.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.
• For enhanced success, it is recommended these courses be taken at MVCC and not transferred in from another college.
• Grades of D will allow student to advance to upper level coursework, but these courses must be repeated with a grade of C to be eligible to graduate.
• Grades of F will not be accepted to advance to upper level coursework.

This is the second course in the curriculum sequence to study the theory and practice of respiratory care.Topics include lung expansion therapies, airway management, acid-base balance, and the interpretation of arterial blood gas results.Detailed information required to initiate, maintain, monitor, and wean patients from mechanical ventilation is provided. Prerequisites: A full year of high school general chemistry with laboratory (with a minimum grade of 70) within ten years or equivalent course with a minimum grade of C, RC101 Basic Science for Respiratory Care, RC103 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology, and RC111 Principles of Respiratory Care 1. Corequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, RC115 Cardiopulmonary Diseases, and RC131 Clinical Practicum 1 (a) or Program Coordinator consent. (a) Minimum grade of C required.) (Spring semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

The initial portion of this course stresses the integral components of data collection, assessment, and evaluation necessary for the development of an effective care plan for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.The remainder emphasizes the etiology, manifestations, and treatment of a variety of cardiopulmonary diseases. Case study presentations use critical thinking skills. Prerequisites: A full year of high school general chemistry with laboratory (with a minimum grade of 70) within ten years or equivalent courses with a minimum grade of C, RC101 Basic Science for Respiratory Care, RC103 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology, and RC111 Principles of Respiratory Care 1. Corequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 (a), RC112 Principles of Respiratory Care 2 (a), and RC131 Clinical Practicum 1 (a), or Program Coordinator consent. [(a) Minimum grade of C required.] (Spring semester)

This initial 135-hour hospital experience provides the supervised practice of routine respiratory therapies in a community clinical setting.Theories and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory are applied in actual patient care situations. The safe administration of therapies,maintenance of records, and infection control procedures are stressed. Prerequisites:Documented health physical examination within three months, including specific test results, liability insurance coverage, and current CPR for Healthcare Providers Certification are required for all students before the start of this course. A full year of high school general chemistry with laboratory (with a minimum grade of 70) within ten years or equivalent course with a minimum grade of C, RC101 Basic Science for Respiratory Care, RC103 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology, RC111 Principles of Respiratory Care 1(a). Corequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 (a) and RC115 Cardiopulmonary Diseases, or Program Coordinator consent.[(a) Minimum grade of C required.] (Spring semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course is for students other than those in science and engineering. Topics include an overview of modern inorganic, organic, and biochemistry along with an historical perspective. It emphasizes learning the language and methodology of chemistry as it relates to society. Careful observation and measurement are stressed in lecture and laboratory to develop quantitative reasoning ability. Prerequisite: An appropriate Mathematics Placement test result, or MA045 Basic Math Skills, or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This is the third course in the curriculum sequence to study the theory and practice of respiratory care.Topics include cardiopulmonary diagnostics and monitoring, special procedures (i.e., bronchoscopy and thoracentesis), critical care pharmacology, home care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and advanced management for the patient requiring mechanical ventilation. Prerequisites: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2(a), RC112 Principles of Respiratory Care 2(a), RC115 Cardiopulmonary Diseases, RC131 Clinical Practicum 1(a). Corequisites: RC232 Clinical Practicum 2(a) or Program Coordinator consent. [(a) Minimum grade of C required.] (Fall semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course provides opportunities to practice routine procedures and adult critical care during 270 hours of experience in a variety of clinical sites. Specialty rotations include pulmonary function testing, cardiac catheterization, cardiac diagnostics, emergency services and cardiothoracic surgery. Safe practice, critical thinking and problem solving are key components . Prerequisites: BI107 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (a), RC112 Principles of Respiratory Care 2 (a), RC115 Cardiopulmonary Diseases, and RC131 Clinical Practicum 1 (a). Corequisites: RC213 Principles of Respiratory Care 3 (a), or Program Coordinator consent. (a) Minimum grade of C required. (Fall semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course examines the physiological consequences of various disease states. Diseases are treated as threats to homeostasis. The effects of pathology on normal bodily processes are discussed at various organizational levels, including biochemical, cellular, histological, and organ systems. This course is designed for allied health students. Prerequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Department Head. Corequisite: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2.

This course covers the concepts of fluid and electrolyte balance, and the implications of the cardiopulmonary/ renal systems on acid-base homeostasis in the body. Focus is placed on the application of acid-base physiology in the clinical arena and its impact on patient management. Emphasis is placed on interpretation of fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and their interrelationships. Prerequisite: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 (a) or instructor consent. [(a) Minimum grade of C required.] (Spring semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course involves 270 hours of experience in at least four clinical affiliates. Emphasis is placed on adult critical care experiences. Specialty rotations include a physician preceptorship, routine pediatric care, respiratory homecare, pulmonary rehabilitation, polysomnography, radiology, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) completion. Prerequisites: RC213 Principles of Respiratory Care 3 (a), and RC232 Clinical Practicum 2(a) or Program Coordinator consent. [(a) Minimum grade of C required.](Spring semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course. Required to take the Kettering National Review Seminar at a cost of approximately $300

This is the fourth course in the curriculum sequence to study the theory and practice of respiratory care.This concentrated fiveday offering presents topics related exclusively to neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Content areas include neonatal and pediatric diseases, pharmacology, airway management,mechanical ventilation, high-frequency oscillation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Requirements are completed for American Heart Association (AHA) Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol (NRP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Prerequisites: RC233 Clinical Practicum 3(a), RC214 Acid Base Physiology, and BI209 Basic Pathophysiology.Corequisite: RC234 Clinical Practicum 4 or Program Coordinator consent. [(a) Minimum grade of C required.] (Summer semester)

This course provides opportunities to perform all aspects of respiratory care with emphasis on neonatal, pediatric and adult critical care during 180hours of experience in a variety of clinical sites. Specialty rotations include extended ventilator care, critical care monitoring and patient assessment. Adult rotations provide a capstone experience to facilitate the transition from student to entry-level practitioner. Safe practice, critical thinking, problem solving and time management are key components. Prerequisite: RC232 Clinical Practicum 3 (a). Corequisite: RC215 Principles of Respiratory Care 4 (a). (a) Minimum grade of C required. (Summer semester)

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.