Gannon University

CHARLES S. CORNFIELD, M.S., R.R.T., Program Director
ROBERT D. TARKOWSKI, JR., M.S., R.R.T./R.P.F.T., Director of Clinical Education

You can live without food for a few weeks. You can live without water for a few days. But, if you are deprived of air, you will die within minutes. In terms of survival, breathing is your most immediate need.

Respiratory care practitioners are specialists who evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. Practitioners work under the direction of a physician and assist in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with respiratory disorders.

The need for respiratory care practitioners is expected to grow faster than the national average for all job growth. The respiratory care profession has a bright future with a great deal of job security and opportunity for advancement. Once you enter the profession, you may want to specialize in an area such as neonatal care, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, helicopter transport, patient education, management or homecare.

The Respiratory Care Program offers both an Associate and Bachelor degree in Science. Both degrees qualify the student to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. The two-year degree provides the student with an excellent foundation in Respiratory Care. The four-year degree is designed for those individuals who wish to be leaders in the field. The Bachelor degree curriculum includes additional education in the adult critical care environment and offers specialization in an area of the student choice.

Students enrolled in the program must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 in the sciences and overall in the pre-professional courses. Only those students having the 2.5 grade point average or higher in the pre-professional courses will advance to the professional phase of the program. All courses denoted by the RSPC symbol must be passed with a “C” grade or better to progress in the program. Admission prerequisites may be obtained by contacting the Admission’s office.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

All RSPC courses must be taken in the order listed in the curriculum. Clinical practicums may include clinical sites outside of Erie. Clinical practicums include some evening rotations.

RSPC 201: Introduction to Respiratory Care
This introductory course will inform the student about the history of medicine and the profession of respiratory care. Additional topics will include communication in health care, medical terminology and an introduction to computers. Students will be given a basic foundation for respiratory care with topics in flow mechanics, and physical properties of gases.
3 credits, Spring

RSPC 301: Clinical Practicum I
The student will perform respiratory care procedures on patients within the clinical setting. There will be an emphasis on operating and maintaining oxygen delivery devices.
Prerequisites: RSPC 308, 309
2 credits, Fall

RSPC 302: Clinical Practicum II
The student will provide respiratory care to patients in the adult intensive care unit setting. There will be an emphasis during this course on mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
Prerequisites: RSPC 321, 322
4 credits, Spring

RSPC 303: Clinical Practicum III
This clinical course involves a neonatal intensive care unit setting, pulmonary rehabilitation, and observation in the operating room. Rotations will also be include continued skills in intensive and general respiratory care.
Prerequisites: RSPC 350, 385
5 credits, Summer

RSPC 308: Respiratory Care Procedures:
This course includes the study of medical gases from their storage to the devices used to administer them to the patient. The different therapeutic modalities used in respiratory care will be presented. The modalities include: Humidity Therapy, hyperinflation therapy, aerosol/pharmacologic therapy, intermittent positive pressure, chest percussion, bronchial drainage, and airway care.
Prerequisites: RSPC 201
Corequisite: RSPC 309
4 credits, Summer

RSPC 309: Respiratory Care Procedures Lab
This laboratory will allow the student to practice and experience topics covered in RSPC 308 and prior to actual clinical practice.
Corequisite:RSPC 308
1 credit, Summer

RSPC 314: Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
This integrated course will instruct the student in patient diagnostics and assessments. The course will also include an introduction to general pathophysiology with an emphasis on pathophysiology affecting the cardiopulmonary system.
Prerequisite: RSPC 317
4 credits, Fall

RSPC 317: Cardiopulmonary and Renal Anatomy/Physiology
This course is an advanced study of the pulmonary, cardiac and renal systems. An emphasis is placed on physiology of these systems.
4 credits, Summer

RSPC 319: Pharmacology for the Respiratory Care Practitioner
A study to introduce the student to the science of pharmacology, it’s terminology and administration. Emphasis will be on those agents primarily having an effect on the cardiopulmonary system. Also, antibiotics, steroids and other pharmacologic agents will be discussed.
2 credits, Fall

RSPC 321: Mechanical Ventilation and Critical Care
A study of mechanical ventilators, their operation and application in patient care will be presented. The course also includes applied critical care including monitoring techniques.
Prerequisites: RSPC 308, 309, 317
Corequisites: RSPC 317, 322
4 credits, Fall

RSPC 322: Mechanical Ventilation and Critical Care Lab
Laboratory practice for topics covered in RSPC 321.
1 credit, Fall

RSPC 350: Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care
This course will emphasize the diagnosis and care of the neonatal and pediatrics patients in the intensive care setting. Mechanical ventilation of the neonate will be stressed.
3 credits, Spring

RSPC 385: Homecare/Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
This course will include presentations and discussions of objectives, methods and expectations of homecare and cardio/pulmonary rehabilitation. Current issues in pulmonary rehabilitation will be discussed. The course will present various community agencies that provide and assist with chronic health problems. Included will be issues in patient/family education.
Prerequisite: departmental consent
2 credits, Spring

RSPC 390: Pulmonary Function Testing
This course explores the use of various tests used to measure lung function with an emphasis on lung volume tests and spirometry evaluation. Some time will be spent in the laboratory and at the bedside utilizing equipment to measure lung mechanics.
1 credit

RSPC 393: Special Topics in Respiratory Care
This is an elective course. The course is developed by faculty around specific areas of interest. Outcomes may be developed by the faculty or mutually by student and faculty.
3 credits

RSPC 404: Clinical Practicum IV
This clinical will assist the student in synthesizing the skills learned throughout their course of study in the areas of intensive care unit, management, patient education and homecare.
Prerequisites: RSPC 303
6 credits, Spring

RSPC 414: Advanced Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
This course is a continuation of RSPC 314 with an expansion on chest radiography and hemodynamics.
Prerequisites: RSPC 317
3 credits, Spring

RSPC 421: Advanced Cardiopulmonary Assessment
This course will be a continuation of the RSPC 321 course where advanced skills are taught in the area of Critical Care.
Prerequisite: RSPC 321
3 credits, Spring

RSPC 426: Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Assessment
The physiological basis of the electrocardiograph will be presented. All the major arrhythmias will be emphasized. At the end of the course the student will be able to perform a basic analysis of the twelve lead EKG. A brief overview of echocardiography will also be included.
Prerequisite: RSPC 317
2 credits, Fall

Back to Top

PRE-PROFESSIONAL
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CURRICULUM