University of Kansas 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
Respiratory Therapists have an in depth knowledge of: Cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics Pulmonary disease Advanced life support and critical care Pharmacology Biomedical engineering and technology
Respiratory therapists effectively Assess Educate Treat patients with heart and lung problems
Respiratory care is focused on: prevention assessment treatment management diagnostic evaluation education patient care
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 Premature Lungs
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 institutions, including colleges and universities Rynda Matlock, RRT KUMC 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 KUMC Graduate Greg Baker, BS, RRT
Respiratory Therapists Perform Diagnostic Services Arterial blood gas analysis Pulmonary function studies Sleep studies EKGs and cardiac tests Sputum specimens Stress and exercise testing KUMC Graduate Chad Sanner, BS, RRT
Respiratory Therapists Perform Therapeutic Procedures Oxygen administration Medication administration Secretion management Chest physiotherapy Lung expansion therapy Pulmonary rehabilitation and disease management Smoking cessation
In Summary... Respiratory Therapists work to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with lung and heart disorders
KUMC Respiratory Care The KUMC Respiratory Care program is located on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus located in Kansas City, KS The Respiratory Care is a part of the School of Health Professions 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 50 schools in the nation offer baccalaureate programs for respiratory care At the KU Medical Center, you will be exposed to the broad range of health-care problems in an urban setting You'll study 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. with the option to specialize in pulmonary rehabilitation, neonatal, adult critical care, management, education, sleep disorders, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy During your clinical rotations, you'll be exposed to large and small health care facilities in the metropolitan KC area, each offering their own unique qualities and clinical experiences. Senior practicums will allow you to experience the work place to refine those competencies usually not acquired until after graduation.
Respiratory Care Faculty The faculty in the Department of Respiratory Care Education have a combined 115+ years of experience in respiratory care Few respiratory care programs have faculty with an average of 18 years of teaching experience The faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Respiratory Care Education is dedicated to developing students who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care Each student is given the opportunity to learn the theories of practice and to develop the competencies necessary to perform at the advanced therapist level
Applying to the Respiratory Care program Whether you are applying as a high school or transfer student, check out this website: admissions.ku.edu/ Or contact the Respiratory Care Advisor at the University of Kansas: Barbara Ludwig, MA, RRT respiratory@kumc.edu Check out the prerequisites for the Respiratory Care program at: respiratorycare.kumc.edu/ Check out Financial Aid Options: healthprofessions.kumc.edu/school/ students/financial_aid.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 2018 BLS projects a 21% increase in demand for respiratory therapists for the period 2008-2018 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, RRT KUMC 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 salary for respiratory therapists in 2008 was $52,200 according to the BLS, the mid 50% range was $44,490 -$61,720
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 can provide: 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 professions A life and breath career for you!
When Should I Start Thinking About a Career in Respiratory Care? NOW! Visit the KU Respiratory Care website: http://respiratorycare.kumc.edu Call the KU Department of Respiratory Education for more information: (913) 588-4630 What should I be?