Respiratory Therapy

Ida Johnson, MHS, RRT - Program Director

785.670.2171; ida.johnson@washburn.edu

Shannon Walls, BHS, RRT - Clinical Coordinator

785.670.2172 ; shannon.walls@washburn.edu

Upon satisfactory completion of the two-year program, you are eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to earn your credentials. Once successfully credentialed, you are eligible to complete exams for the following advanced credentials:

• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS)
• Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C)
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS)
• Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS)

The Washburn University Respiratory Care Program, #200323, Associate of Applied Science degree, Topeka, KS, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (www.coarc.com).

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes-based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website.

Professional Licensure Disclosure Respiratory Therapy

Washburn University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and is reporting this information in compliance with Criterion 2.A. and 2.B. The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).

This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for respiratory therapists in Kansas. Please review the website for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for additional details about obtaining licensure in the state of Kansas. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Kansas after finishing your program, use the link above to find information on the state or U.S. territory in which you intend to be licensed in order to identify whether Washburn's Respiratory Therapy program meets the educational requirements.

You can also review the licensing information for each state outlined by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

For more information, please contact allied-health@washburn.edu.

Program Mission

The Respiratory Therapy program is focused on the development of qualified graduates who are prepared to provide the essentials for the safe and effective delivery of respiratory care and patient education.

Program Goal

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Respiratory Therapy Assessment Plan

Advanced Placement Policy

Because of differences in structure among respiratory therapy programs, we do not offer advanced placement. All individuals are welcome to apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program and matriculate through our established and sequential curriculum.

Transfer From Another Respiratory Therapy Program – Because of differences in structure among respiratory therapy programs, we do not offer advanced placement. Our program does not accept or allow prior respiratory education or work experience to replace respiratory care courses.  All individuals are welcome to apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program and matriculate through our established and sequential curriculum.

Policies and procedures related to probation, suspension, dismissal and voluntary student withdrawal

 Process for Unsatisfactory Performance

1. Initially, a meeting between the student and program faculty will occur to assess targeted areas for improvement with regard to study habits, test taking strategies, time management, over commitment to outside employment, or excessive extracurricular activities.
2. Faculty will recommend student to seek assistance from the Center for Student Success and/or Counseling Services to obtain assistance specific to their needs.

Program Dismissal

Any of the following situations will result in dismissal from the Washburn University Respiratory Therapy Program:

1. Lack of student compliance with any university, program or clinical policy as well as any procedure.
2. Any destruction of property whether university, program or clinical affiliate, or others (i.e., classmates or instructors.
3. Failure of student to receive a “C” or better on all comprehensive final examinations (this includes clinical exams).
4. Any withdrawal from a required core program course will result in dismissal from the program. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the program must complete a program withdrawal form and are responsible for dropping any program courses they are enrolled in.
5. Failure to consent when a request is made for an immediate drug and alcohol test. Likewise, if student has a confirmed positive test for alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances.
6. Failure to successfully complete all of the clinical objectives and competencies outlined within a required clinical course.
7. Failure to demonstrate professional behavior that is consistent with program and faculty expectations as well as displaying professionalism by respecting outlined policies and procedures of the clinical affiliates.  Any violation of policy, either program or clinical affiliates, can result in program dismissal.
8. Students should initially attempt to resolve grade disputes with program faculty. If no resolution is achieved, student should consult with the Department Chair. Students should refer to the "Grade Appeal Process" in the Washburn University Undergraduate Catalog. In the event a student wishes to pursue an appeal they must submit written notification to the Allied Health Department Chair within 10 working days.

Policies and procedures for processing student grievances

Grievance Policy and Procedure

The following procedure should be followed for processing a grievance:

1. Grievance Policy and Procedure
   1. Classroom Instructor/Student Conflict
      1. Directly communicate problem to instructor involved in conflict.
      2. If process outlined above offers no resolution, student should make an appointment with the Program Director (PD).
   2. If problem is still unresolved after visiting with PD, student should make an appointment with the Chair of Allied Health.
2. Clinical Preceptor/Student Conflict
3. Directly communicate problem to clinical preceptor.
4. If process outlined above offers no resolution, student should discuss issue with Director of Clinical Education (DCE).
   1. If process outlined above offers no resolution, student should make an appointment with the PD.
5. Conflicts with program or clinical policy (If the student has conflicts with specific program or clinical policies the following process should be observed.)
6. Directly communicate the issue creating conflict with the PD.
7. If a grievance includes a majority of the class within the program the class representative should be utilized to communicate between PD and class.
   1. If informal complaints regarding the Respiratory Therapy Program or faculty are directed to the Respiratory Therapy Program Director and are not addressed in a manner which resolves the issue, students may make a formal complaint through the School of Applied Studies Grievance Policy and Procedure Form, which is located in the office of the Chair of Allied Health.

Policies addressing student employment in the profession while enrolled in the program.

Student Employment Recommendations

1. Students should avoid working full-time while in the Respiratory Therapy Program. Some students may find it necessary to work part-time while advancing within the program. By the summer semester students are highly discouraged from working through the remainder of the program.
2. Should a student continue employment, work schedules will not be allowed to interfere with program expectations. Incidents regarding employment that conflict with work and program expectations will result in disciplinary actions and dismissal from the program.
3. In Spring of final semester if a student becomes eligible to work under a student permit granted from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA). This type of employment is viewed the same as any other form of employment, and shall not interfere with the student and their academic requirements of the program. Clinical coursework should not be completed while working under the student permit.
4. If a student obtains a permit from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA), a release form must be signed and returned to the Program Director granting approval to notify the KSBHA if the student withdraws or is dismissed from the program. Students should refer to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts located in the Appendix.

American Association for Respiratory Care

Kansas Respiratory Care Society

National Board for Respiratory Care