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Clinical Practicum
The clinical year allows you to gain practical experience in all aspects of respiratory therapy. Upon completing Level one—from June to November—you are expected to meet certain predetermined objectives in all rotations. Level two—completed from December to April—includes further mastery of these same objectives.
The clinical year is divided into three main areas of practice:
- Diagnostics—blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, electrocardiography, stress testing and bronchoscopy.
- Therapy—medical surgical rotation, paediatrics and nursery, and respiratory therapy department.
- Critical care—adult and neonatal intensive care, operating room and anaesthesia, and coronary care.
You must pass the theory course with an overall grade of 60% or better. You must also achieve a grade of 50% or better on the final examinations. The final mark is either a pass or fail for clinical courses.
You will work the equivalent of 35 hours each week. You may be assigned shift work. Clinical training involves rotations between different accredited hospitals and these rotations may include:
- Interior to Vancouver or Vancouver to Interior
- Vancouver to Vancouver
- Vancouver to Victoria or Victoria to Vancouver
- Vancouver to Prince George or Prince George to Vancouver
Hospitals affiliated with the TRU Respiratory Therapy program include:
Interior
- Kelowna General Hospital
- Royal Inland Hospital (Kamloops)
- University Hospital of Northern BC (Prince George)
Lower Mainland
- BC Children’s and Women’s Hospitals (Vancouver)
- Royal Columbian Hospital (New Westminster)
- St Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver)
- Surrey Memorial Hospital
- Vancouver General Hospital
- Abbotsford Regional Hospital
Victoria (both are part of the Victoria rotation)
- Royal Jubilee Hospital
- Victoria General Hospital
Prince George
- University Hospital of Northern British Columbia
RTCL 3040 Neonatal and Pediatrics (8 weeks) RTCL 3040 Neonatal and Pediatrics (8 weeks)Credits: 8 credits This course is designed to assist the student in the development of skills, and comprehensive understanding of Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care. At the completion of this segment, the student will be expected to funtion in the capacity of a Respiratory Therapist.
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RTCL 3110 Respiratory Therapy Clinical (Level 1) (22 weeks) RTCL 3110 Respiratory Therapy Clinical (Level 1) (22 weeks)Credits: 19 credits In the RTCL 3110 (Level 1) clinical practicum experience, student respiratory therapists will work with preceptor respiratory therapists in acute and non-acute clinical environments. Students will gradually take on increasing responsibility, applying knowledge and skills gained from prior respiratory therapy program courses to assess individuals requiring care, choose potential therapeutic interventions, discuss their plans and reasoning with other healthcare professionals, initiate interventions, and assess responses. Major elements of critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized.
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RTCL 3120 Respiratory Therapy Clinical (Level 2) (17 weeks) RTCL 3120 Respiratory Therapy Clinical (Level 2) (17 weeks)Credits: 18 credits In the RTCL 3120 (Level 2) clinical practicum experience, student respiratory therapists will continue to work with preceptor respiratory therapists in acute and non-acute clinical environments, building upon the skills they learned in RTCL 3110 (Level 1). Students will take on increasing responsibility and levels of independence, applying knowledge and skills gained from RTCL 3110 to assess individuals requiring care, choose potential therapeutic interventions, discuss their plans and reasoning with other healthcare professionals, initiate interventions, and assess responses. Major elements of critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized.
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RTCT 3040 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Neonatal and Pediatrics) RTCT 3040 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Neonatal and Pediatrics)Credits: 2 credits This course consists of a series of academic half-days (over a six- to eight-week period) dedicated to the review and examination of didactic material related to clinical practice in the neonatal and pediatric care setting. Students are provided a comprehensive overview and integration of all program curriculum, including a combination of lectures, case studies and seminars presented by therapists, physicians and other health professionals. The Program Clinical Coordinator is responsible for course continuity. The B.C.C.H. Clinical Site Coordinator is responsible for on-site delivery and organization.
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RTCT 3110 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Level 1) RTCT 3110 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Level 1)Credits: 3 credits This course consists of a series of academic half days over a 24-week period dedicated to the review and examination of didactic material related to clinical practice in the adult care setting. It is a comprehensive overview and integration of all years of the respiratory therapy (RT) program. This course will include a combination of lectures, case studies and seminars presented by students, therapists, physicians, and other health professionals. The TRU RT clinical coordinator is responsible for course continuity. The clinical site coordinators are responsible for on-site delivery and organization.
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RTCT 3120 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Level 2) (3,0,0) RTCT 3120 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Theory (Level 2) (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course builds upon RTCT 3110 and RTCL 3110. It consists of a series of academic half days over an 18-week period dedicated to the review and examination of didactic material related to clinical practice in the adult care setting. It is a comprehensive overview and integration of all years of the program. This course will include a combination of lectures, case studies and seminars presented by students, therapists, physicians, and other health professionals.
Prerequisites: RTCT 3110 and RTCL 3110.
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