Clinical Information

One of the most important aspects of the respiratory care education is the development of clinical competence.  It is in the clinical setting that the respiratory care students learn and demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the theoretical concepts acquired in their studies.  Washburn University's Respiratory Therapy program has affiliations with a total of eighteen hospitals and home care agencies throughout a 120-mile radius from Topeka, Kansas.

Some of the rotations the student will be involved in include:  Physician contact, home care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, electrocardiogram procedures, heart catheterization, intensive care as well as neonatal intensive care in a level 3 nursery, and sleep disorders.

These clinical courses provide for a progressive process of developing cognitive levels at the recall, application, and analysis levels as a respiratory therapist.  They are configured to provide the student a clinical environment to demonstrate learned procedures from entry level to advanced level respiratory care competencies.

Clinical Procedure Courses

AL 187  Respiratory Therapy Clinical I 
Spring Semester - Tuesday/Thursday 
The primary emphasis for the first clinic semester for the student is to allow them the opportunity to become oriented to different clinical facilities, observing as many procedures as possible.  Any hands on experience requires direct supervision from the clinical instructor and should be limited to small volume nebulizer therapy, chest physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary function testing.

AL 289 Respiratory Therapy Clinical II  
Summer Semester - Monday 9am-3pm; Tuesday - Friday Arranged 
The primary emphasis for the second clinical includes basic therapy such as small volume nebulizer and chest physiotherapy, arterial blood gas procedure, oxygen therapy, gas administration and pulmonary functions.  Students are also introduced to the critical care unit for observation only.  The student may participate in basic therapy procedures and arterial punctures in the critical care unit.

AL 293 Respiratory Therapy Clinical III 
Fall Semester - Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Emphasis is on Critical Care procedures, Mechanical Ventilation, review and interpretation of Electrocardiogram strips and Hemodynamics.  Interaction is encouraged between the Student and other health care providers.  Students are introduced to the neonatal intensive care unit for observation only.

AL 295 Respiratory Therapy Clinical IV 
Spring Semester - Monday/Wednesday/Friday 
The primary emphasis for the final clinic experience for students are Neonatal and Pediatric topics and their procedures.  Students should also (slowly) begin assuming responsibilities in the I.C.U.'s.  Students are allowed to organize and distribute the workload, as they need to begin being independent workers.

The following are clinical procedures that the student will complete for each clinic course.

First Year 
AL 187 - Respiratory Therapy Clinical I (Spring)

First Year 
AL 289 - Respiratory Therapy Clinical II (Summer)

Second Year 
AL 293 - Respiratory Therapy Clinical III (Fall)

Second Year 
AL 295 - Respiratory Therapy Clinical IV (Spring)