/Institutions/Middle-Georgia-State-University/json/2024-2025/Undergraduate-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Middle-Georgia-State-University/json/2024-2025/Undergraduate-Catalog.json

Department of Respiratory Therapy and Health Science

Chair: Teri Miller

The Department of Respiratory Therapy and Health Science houses five distinct curricular tracks: two Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degrees, a Bachelor of Health Science, an Associate of Health Science and a Certificate of Health Science. The Bachelor of Health Science serves as the entry major for all clinical degree programs in the School of Health and Natural Sciences. 

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy is a health care profession dedicated to the care, management, and life-support of individuals having deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory Therapists are experts in the use of therapeutic and diagnostic aids to respiration. They must have a working knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and physiology as well as respiratory therapy.

General Information

The following information applies to all respiratory therapy programs. Middle Georgia State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Entry Level Program (BSRT-Entry) and a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Completion Program (BSRT-Bridge). The most current academic policies and program information are available online. The program solicits input from an Advisory Committee that meets regularly to review the program's goals and objectives and to make recommendations to ensure that these goals and objectives are met. The committee is made up of the Medical Director, physicians, managers, respiratory therapists, faculty, and students. The Respiratory Therapy Program's Medical Director provides input to ensure that the medical components of the curriculum, both didactic and supervised clinical practice, meet the standards of medical practice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Respiratory Therapy program is to provide quality education that prepares competent respiratory care professionals to serve our health care community. The overarching vision for the Respiratory Therapy programs at Middle Georgia State University is to be a regionally and nationally recognized respiratory therapy program of excellence by providing students with a first-class education which will prepare them to be actively engaged professionals through education, community service learning, and advanced practice.

Accreditation and Approvals

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits the BSRT-Entry program. Graduates will be eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination. If the candidate achieves the lower cut score, they will earn the CRT credential. If a candidate achieves the higher cut score, they will earn the CRT credential and become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination and the opportunity to earn the RRT credential. Application must be made for State Licensure to work in the State of Georgia. New Respiratory Therapists in Georgia must earn the RRT credential to practice.

Student Expectations

Middle Georgia State University students are responsible for fulfilling their academic responsibilities in an honest and forthright manner conducting themselves with civility in interpersonal interactions. The Middle Georgia State University Code of Conduct and the Respiratory Therapy Handbook contain a full description of student rights and responsibilities and the disciplinary procedures that will guide the action of the faculty and administration should a student allegedly violate the code. Students who are charged with a violation of the Middle Georgia State University Code of Conduct or the Respiratory Therapy Handbook will be subject to disciplinary procedures by the School of Health and Natural Sciences and Middle Georgia State University. Any violation, whether related to lack of integrity or civility, may result in dismissal from the Respiratory Therapy Program without consideration for re-entry.

General Requirements and Procedures for Admission to the Respiratory Therapy Programs

1. Admission to the Respiratory Therapy Program is competitive and limited. To be considered for admission or readmission to the program, applicants must first: (a) be admitted to the University in “good academic standing” with a minimum cumulative academic GPA of 2.50, or (b) be enrolled in the University in “good academic standing” with a minimum cumulative academic GPA of 2.50 in the core curriculum courses required in the respiratory program.
2. Once students qualify under either of the above described conditions, they may obtain application materials required for admission to the program online or from the Office of Respiratory Therapy.
3. Using all available data, including the application, SAT scores when available, high school GPA or university academic GPA in courses required in the respiratory therapy curriculum, letters of reference, the Admissions Committee of Respiratory Therapy will evaluate all applicants who meet the admission criteria and select the best qualified applicants for admission. Limited numbers of students are formally accepted each year to the BSRT-Entry Program due to the intensive hospital training.
4. BSRT-Entry applicants must take the Respiratory Entrance Exam (REE). Applicants are accepted based on all available data including the Respiratory Entrance Exam (REE) score. Acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy Program is highly competitive.
5. The Respiratory Entrance Exam (REE) must be administered at Middle Georgia State University by the Testing Center or the Respiratory Therapy Program.
6. If the cumulative GPA in required courses falls below the minimum 2.50 subsequent to their acceptance but prior to the beginning of the cohort’s first semester of the program, they will be denied the privilege of entering the program.
7. Applicants who are accepted for admission into the program but who do not enter the program the semester they applied for must reapply in order to be considered for admission to a future class.
8. Applicants who are not accepted to the program may pursue another major at the University by notifying the Office of the Registrar that they wish to change majors.
9. Students who enter the program must have a Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen performed by a company approved by the Respiratory Therapy Program. Clinical agencies will review Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen results. The student must be approved by the clinical agency in order to participate in clinical experiences and progress in the program. If a clinical affiliate does not allow a student to attend clinical and the student is unable to meet class, lab, or practicum objectives, the student will not be allowed to progress in the Respiratory Therapy Program.

   Based on professional judgment of the faculty, random Criminal Background Checks or Urine Drug Screen may be required while in the Respiratory Therapy Program. This testing, if required, will be at the student's expense.

   Students enrolled in Respiratory Therapy courses are required to have health insurance that meets minimum standards as mandated by the University System of Georgia. Students who are covered by an acceptable policy held by a parent, spouse, company, or organization may request a waiver. Individual or Association Policies will not be considered for a waiver.

10. Students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science Completion Program must have completed a regionally accredited respiratory therapy program with an associate of science degree and have earned the RRT credential.

     

Academic Standards for Respiratory Therapy Program: Progression, Dismissal, and Readmission

In addition to the other academic regulations of the University, the following requirements apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program:

1. A grade of at least a “C” is required for successful completion of each required respiratory therapy course.
2. A grade of at least a “C” is required in BIOL 2251K, BIOL 2252K, BIOL 2260K, CHEM 1151K, ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, PSYC 1101, and the Mathematics & Quantitative Skills Math elective.
3. All core requirements must be completed prior to entering the BSRT-Entry program.
4. Failure to meet progression requirements will result in dismissal from the Respiratory Therapy Program.
5. Students in good standing who voluntarily withdraw from the respiratory program may re-enter the program on a space available basis.
6. In addition to the requirements set forth in the Middle Georgia State University Academic Catalog, the student is responsible for adhering to all of the policies and procedures outlined in the Respiratory Therapy Student Handbook.
7. Academic misconduct, in any form, will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the program or not being admitted into the program.

Note: Applicants who are accepted for admission into the Respiratory Therapy Program must provide a physical examination report, and health requirements as adopted by the department. Enrolled respiratory therapy students must enroll in the student professional liability insurance offered by the University. Certificate and insurance must be valid during the junior and senior years. A valid American Heart CPR card is mandatory throughout the student's program of study.

While students who have been convicted of a felony may be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy Program, such a conviction may prohibit them from attending clinical rotations, taking the national board examinations and becoming licensed by the Georgia Composite State Medical Board which governs respiratory care practice in the State of Georgia. Students without clinical placement cannot progress within the program. 

Readmission to the Program

Readmission to the program is at the discretion of the Department Chair. In order to be considered for readmission into the program, the student must be in "good academic standing" and meet criteria for re-entry consideration as established by the Department Chair.

Performance Standards

A Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is an integral part of the health care profession that supports and maintains respiration by administering therapies or by providing diagnostic services. The RCP must demonstrate cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills in such a manner as to not place one's self, another health care worker, or the patient in any danger. Failure to demonstrate any of the abilities listed below is cause for dismissal from the RT program.

As mandated by the American Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), any impairment will be given careful consideration judged by the accommodations which must be made and by the ability to be educated and employed in the field of Respiratory Therapy.

An applicant should inform the Chair of Respiratory Therapy prior to Admission to the program of any documented disabilities that relate to the identified performance standards.

The following is a list of the essential job functions of a RCP that must be performed independently on a daily basis.

Practice Performance Standards

ISSUE	PERFORMANCE STANDARD	EXAMPLES OF NECESSARY ACTIVITIES (NON ALL-INCLUSIVE)
Critical Thinking	Critical-thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment	Identify cause/effect relationships in clinical situations, maintains client's physical and emotional safety, demonstrates competence in administration of meds, treatments and procedures, develop care plans
Interpersonal	Interpersonal abilities sufficient for interaction with individuals, families and groups from various social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds	Establish rapport with clients and colleagues, tolerate physically taxing workloads alternating shifts, function effectively during stressful situations, respond appropriately in stressful and emergency situations (physically, emotionally, mentally)
Communication	Communication abilities sufficient for verbal and written interaction with others	Speak clearly and succinctly; Describe client situations; Perceive nonverbal communication; Communicate effectively with physicians, staff, clients and client's families; Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, and document and interpret nursing actions and client responses
Mobility	Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces	Stand for long periods of times; Work at a fast pace for long periods of time; Moves around in client's room, work spaces and treatment areas; Administer cardiopulmonary procedures
Motor Skills	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care	Lift heavy objects; Use equipment and tools needed to carry out safe client care, position clients; Don sterile gloves and gown; Prepare medication aseptically.
Hearing	Auditory ability sufficient for monitoring and assessing health needs	Hear nurse call bell from clients; Hear telephone and have the ability to take orders over the telephone; Hear vital statistics with stethoscope to assess blood pressure, heart rate, lung vascular and abdominal sounds; Hear monitor alarm and emergency signals requiring quick response, and cries for help
Visual	Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care	Observe client responses and assess correctly; see nurse call/emergency light; Read doctor's orders; Read very fine, small print on medication containers; Read monitors and other equipment
Tactile	Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment	Perform palpation, functions of physical examination; Manual dexterity to use sterile technique to insert catheters (IV, Foley)

Adopted from SREB Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing