The University of Kansas Medical Center

Respiratory Care Education

What is Respiratory Care?

Respiratory Care is the health profession that specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health

Respiratory therapists prevent, identify, and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system

More about Respiratory Care Respiratory therapists care for newborn

infants, children, adults, and the elderly

Career opportunities are excellent for respiratory therapists, and salaries are competitive with other health professions

Cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology

Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics

Pulmonary disease Advanced life support and critical care Pharmacology Biomedical engineering and technology

Respiratory Therapists have an in depth knowledge of:

Respiratory therapists effectively

Assess

Educate

Treat patients with Heart and lung problems

Respiratory Patient care is focused on:

prevention assessment diagnostic

evaluation treatment management patient education

What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Respiratory therapists apply:

Critical thinking Patient/environment assessment skills Evidence based clinical practice skills

Respiratory therapists: Develop and implement effective care plans Apply patient driven protocols Utilize disease-based clinical pathways Implement disease management programs Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures

What Breathing Disorders Do Respiratory Therapists Treat?

Asthma Bronchitis Emphysema COPD Cystic Fibrosis Chest Trauma Pneumonia

Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?

Acute care hospitals Diagnostic laboratories Rehabilitation and skilled nursing

facilities Patient’s homes Patient transport services Physician offices Retirement centers Educational/Research institutions,

including colleges and universitiesRynda Matlock, RRTKUMC Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists Work in the ICU

Adult, pediatric, neonatal ICUs

Mechanical ventilation Life-support Arterial blood gases Physiologic monitoring Airway care Intubation Oxygen, aerosol therapy

Former KUMC Graduate, Greg Baker, RRT

Respiratory Therapists Perform Diagnostic Services Arterial blood gas

analysis Pulmonary function

studies Sleep studies EKGs and cardiac tests Sputum specimens Stress and exercise

testingFormer KUMC GraduateChad Sanner, RRT

Respiratory Therapists Perform Therapeutic Procedures

Oxygen administration Medication administration Airway clearance Chest physiotherapy Lung expansion therapy mechanical ventilator

management Pulmonary rehabilitation and

disease management Smoking cessation

In Summary. . .

Respiratory Therapists work to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with

lung and heart disorders

Respiratory Care Education at the University of Kansas Medical Center

KUMC Respiratory Care The KUMC Respiratory Care program is located on the

University of Kansas Medical Center campus located in Kansas City, KS

The department of Respiratory Care Education is part of the School of Allied Health

The Respiratory Care program is one of many programs that are offered in affiliation with the KUMC Hospital and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS

Why choose KUMC’s Respiratory Care program?

Only about 30 schools in the nation offer baccalaureate programs for respiratory care

At KU Medical Center, you will Encounter a broad range of health-care problems in an urban setting

You’ll learn about therapies on the cutting edge of research and technology

Your clinical experiences will be broad and comprehensive

Why choose KUMC’s Respiratory Care program?

KU offers a B.S. degree with the option to specialize in: pulmonary rehabilitation, perinatology, adult critical care,

management, education, sleep disorders, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy

The Specialty practicum allows you to: experience the work place to refine those competencies usually not

acquired until after graduation. During your clinical rotations, you’ll be exposed to:

large and small health care facilities in the metropolitan area, each offering their own unique qualities and clinical experiences.

the Department of Respiratory Care Education Faculty

have 115 years of experience in respiratory care combined Few respiratory care programs have faculty with even 18 years of

combined teaching experience

are dedicated to developing students who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care

give Each student the opportunity to learn the theories of practice and to develop the competencies necessary to perform at the highest therapeutic level

Applying to the Respiratory Care program

Whether you are applying as a high school or transfer student, check out this website:

http://www.admissions.ku.edu/

Or contact the Respiratory Care Advisor at the University of Kansas medical center:

Paul Mathews pmathews﹫kumc.edu

Check out the prerequisites for the Respiratory Care program at: www.respiratorycare.kumc.edu/preregs.html

Check out Financial Aid Options: www.respiratorycare.kumc.edu/finanaid.html

For a KUMC Respiratory Student a typical day may consist of :

Critical Care class Ventilator Lab Clinical Rotation in the Pediatric Unit at KUMC A rotation at an affiliate hospital in the Kansas City area Attending a symposium on cutting edge medical technology

At KUMC Students gain experience in a variety of areas: Medical and surgical areas of the hospital Intensive care units (adult, pediatric, neonatal) Emergency room Patient transport Pulmonary rehabilitation and disease management Cardiopulmonary diagnostics (pulmonary function

testing, sleep lab, exercise testing, invasive and non-invasive cardiology)

Outpatient clinics and physician’s offices Home care

How Does the Job Market Look for Respiratory Therapists?

The United States government predicts that respiratory care will be one of the 10 fastest growing careers from now on until 2010

BLS projects a 42.6% increase in demand for respiratory therapists for the period 1998-2008

Family Money Magazine lists Respiratory Care among the top 50 careers for the 21st century (January/February 2000, p. 52)

The need for RTs is growing due to:

large increase in the elderly population

environmental impact on diseases such as asthma

smoking and COPD

technological advances in treatment of cardiopulmonary disease

advances in treatment of premature babies

Tom Lindgren, RRTKUMC Respiratory Therapist

How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make? Salary varies with educational

degree and years of experience Supervisors, clinical specialists,

and department managers tend to have higher salaries

In hospitals, median annual salaries for respiratory therapists in 2000 were $38,040 according to the BLS

Is Respiratory Care For Me?

A career as a respiratory therapist can provide: a great job at a good salary job security the opportunity to help others recognition, respect, and appreciation a sense of accomplishment

A rewarding career for life

A career as a Respiratory Therapist provides:

the ability to make a difference in peoples’ lives

interesting and meaningful work a high tech and exciting career a people oriented profession the opportunity to become a respected

member of the health CARE team A life and breath career for you!

When Should I Start Thinking About a Career in Respiratory Care?

NOW!

Visit the KU Medical Center Respiratory Care website: http://www.respiratorycare.kumc.edu

Call the KU Medical Center Respiratory Education Department for more information(913) 588-4630

Request info at:KU Respiratory CareAttn: Admissions coordinator 3901 Rainbow Boulevard4006 Delp BuildingKansas City, Kansas 66160-7606

What should I be?