a) The Department shall, upon the
recommendation of the Respiratory Care Board (the Board), approve a respiratory
care program if it meets the criteria set forth in this Section. The
institution:
1) Is regionally accredited or
legally recognized and authorized by the jurisdiction in which it is located to
confer the appropriate degree or certificate;
2) Has a faculty that consists of a
sufficient number of full-time instructors to ensure educational obligations to
the students are fulfilled. The faculty must have demonstrated competence as
evidenced by appropriate degrees or experience in their areas of teaching from
professional colleges or institutions;
3) Has a program director, clinical
coordinator and medical director; and
4) Has 62 semester hours or the equivalent of
a 12 month course of study which includes, but not limited to, all of the
following curriculum/subject areas with structured laboratory and clinical
experience:
A) Basic Sciences:
Biology
Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology
Chemistry
Human anatomy and physiology
Computer science
Mathematics
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Physics
Psychology
B) Clinical Sciences:
Cardiopulmonary diseases
General medical and surgical specialties
Pathology
Pediatrics and perinatology
C) Respiratory Care Content Areas:
Aerosol therapy
Airway management
Assessment of patients' cardiopulmonary status
Cardiopulmonary diagnostics and interpretation
Cardiopulmonary monitoring and interpretation
Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and home care
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Chest physiotherapy
Ethics of respiratory care and medical care
Gas therapy
General patient care
Humidity therapy
Hyperinflation therapy
Mechanical ventilation management
Oxygen therapy
Pediatrics and perinatology
b) Individuals applying for
licensure who are deficient in any of the content areas set forth in subsection
(a)(4) may complete any one or all of these courses in an approved respiratory
care program. The applicant will be required to submit proof to the Division
that he or she has passed the a courses. Proof shall include, but not be
limited to, transcript, curriculum, program materials and course
materials.
c) When the accuracy of
any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work
is questioned by the Division or the Board, the applicant will be required to
provide such information as may be necessary and/or appear for an interview
before the Board to explain such relevance or sufficiency, clarify information
or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.
d) In determining whether a program should be
approved, the Division, upon recommendation of the Board, shall take into
consideration, but not be bound by, accreditation or approval by the Committee
on Accreditation for Respiratory Care Education (CoARC), or its successor
organization, or accreditation by the American Medical Association Committee on
Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA), or its successor, the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP).
e) The Division, upon
recommendation of the Board, has determined that all respiratory therapy
programs accredited or approved by CoARC, or its successor organization, or
accredited by CAHEA, or its successor CAAHEP, meet the minimum criteria set
forth in this Section and are, therefore, approved.
