Health Sciences Comprehensive Major: Respiratory Therapy Track

The Health Sciences Basic Curriculum  in combination with this track contains the required courses for becoming eligible to sit for the National Board of Respiratory Care-entry level and advanced therapist credential exams (Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist).

Admission to the Professional Component of the Respiratory Therapy Track

A. Traditional Track

Requirements in Core Requirement Courses:

1. Advisement for the Professional Component begins in the pre-respiratory therapy student's freshman year with academic advisement provided each semester.
2. The grade point average for entry into the Professional Component ("Core Requirement GPA") is computed based exclusively on the courses that are used to satisfy the core requirements. Only courses for which a grade of "C" or above has been entered are acceptable to meet the core requirements. If a course is failed, it can be repeated; however, all grades earned, up to and including the first passing grade, are used in the calculation of the Core Requirement GPA. For any particular core requirement, if the transcript shows more than one course completed that is approved to meet that requirement, the course with the higher grade is used.
3. Transfer credit from another institution for prerequisite courses must consist of the same or greater number of semester hours designated in this catalogue for credit in each transfer course. 
4. The Respiratory Therapy Program may use discretion regarding core requirement courses and the minimum grade point average. Students may be admitted on a "Probationary Status". 
5. All core requirements must be completed prior to entering the Professional Component or as approved by the Admission and Progression Committee (A&P) for those students applying for fall semester admission. 
6. The Respiratory Therapy faculty will conduct interviews (in person or virtual) prior to final decisions of admissions.

B. Guidelines for Transfer Students

1. All transfer credits must be validated in writing through the Registrar's office. Requests for admission into the Professional Component may be filed only after the student has been accepted into the University and the transfer credits have been evaluated by the Registrar. 
2. The articulation agreement of the University with junior colleges in the state establishes the equivalent courses for the advisement of transfer students. 
3. Deficits in transfer credits will be evaluated individually.

C. Requirements for Admission Consideration

1. Students are admitted to the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component each fall semester. The Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component normally requires five (5) semesters for completion. All applicants must be admitted to the University of West Alabama prior to application to the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component. Official transcripts must be provided to the UWA Admissions office. 
2. Application for the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component opens every spring semester. The student shall contact the Respiratory Therapy Program Director prior to applying for entry to establish records for review.
3. A student must pass all required prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better and have a minimum prerequisite GPA of at least 2.5 in all prerequisite courses for consideration for admission into the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component (See A.2 above). 
4. Students who have English as a second language must present a minimum score of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam taken within four years. To be eligible to apply for admission, minimum scores are: 560 for the TOEFL Written (paper based), 220 for the TOEFL CBT (computer based), and 83 for the iBT (internet based). Students native to countries where English is a commonly used language and/or those who have been living in a country for many years where English is a primary spoken language may request a waiver of this requirement.
5. The Respiratory Therapy Program Director reserves the right to limit the number of students enrolled in respiratory courses in order to make the most effective use of the educational resources available. 
6. Upon acceptance to the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component, criminal background checks and drug screens are required for all respiratory therapy students. 
7. To continue and advance in the Respiratory Therapy Professional Component, each student must pass every course with a grade of "C" or better. If a student does not pass a class, they may petition to be readmitted on a probationary status the following year and repeat the necessary classes. 

D. Essential Functions for Admission and Progression in the Respiratory Therapy Track Professional Component

Certain physical, intellectual, emotional, professional, communication, interpersonal relationship, and psychomotor skills are required for effective, safe patient care. Students, faculty, adjunct faculty and clinical associates participating in the respiratory therapy program at the University of West Alabama must be able to perform critical essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.  

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following categories: 

1. Read at various distances • Distinguish colors • Read for prolonged periods of time;  
2. Visual • Observe changes in skin condition, breathing patterns, color intensity, rashes. Use computer screens, read fine print on medication labels, monitor strips, equipment, and syringes. 
3. Tactile • Feel vibrations, pulses, textures, temperature, shape, and size • Palpate pulses, veins. 
4. Hearing • Person to person report • Telephone communication • Distinguish sounds through stethoscope • Discriminate high and low frequency sounds • Assess/auscultate changes in heart, breath, abdominal, or vascular sounds. Auscultate blood pressure • Communicate orally when masks must be worn. Hear auditory alarms (monitors, call bells, fire alarms)  
5. Smell • Detect body odors and odors in the environment • Detect gas or noxious odors • Detect odors associated with disease processes
6. Communication • Engage in two-way communication, verbally and in writing, interacting effectively with others from a variety of social emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds • Explain procedures; teach patients and families • Work effectively in groups. Communicate with patients/clients and family regarding the plan of care, discharge instructions, medications, etc.• Present oral reports, reports related to patient's condition. Clarify physician orders. Maintain professional communication in high stress or conflict situations, whether in a clinical, classroom, or other setting, and in any format (verbal, written, or electronic). Refrain from disrespectful verbal or non-verbal behavior or communication in the classroom, clinical setting, or social networking sites. Document clearly, correctly, and accurately in the medical record. Maintain confidentiality.  
7. Motor Function • Move within confined spaces • Sit or stand and maintain balance • Move, position, turn, transfer, and assist with lifting without injury to self or patient • Stand, bend, walk, and/or sit for up to 12 hours in a clinical setting performing physical activities without jeopardizing safety of self or patients • Grasp small objects with hands • Push and pull 25 pounds • Lift 25 pounds • Squeeze with hands • Flex, abduct and rotate all joints freely. Draw up solutions/medication in a syringe. Take vital signs. Position patients and assist with transfer and ambulation of patients. Respond rapidly to emergency situations. Perform CPR. 
8. Professional behavior • Perform safe effective care for clients • Comply with school and health care agency policies • Accept responsibility and accountability for one's behavior • Professional behavior is expected in clinical, classroom, or other settings. Professional behavior includes acts of omission and commission, verbal and non-verbal communication, written or electronic communication. Complies with professional standards such as the AARC, NBRC, CoARC codes of conduct, legal standards set forth by the Alabama State Board for Respiratory Therapy, and the UWA Code of Student Conduct. Show respect for differences in patients, peers, faculty, staff, co-workers. Refrain from verbal or non-verbal acts of disrespect, incivility, aggression, or hostility. Accept constructive criticism and modify behavior accordingly. Maintain professional rapport among interprofessional team members.