Technical Standards
The technical standards outlined below are the physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete the Respiratory Care Program. These requirements must be met by all students, with or without reasonable accommodations, entering the program.
Students have the responsibility to self-identify as a person with a disability with a need for accommodation(s). Students who have or believe they may have a disability requiring accommodation(s) should contact the UAMS ADA Coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu or 501-526-5641.
Due to the nature of typical employment requirements, cardio-respiratory care students are expected to meet the criteria listed below:
Auditory ability sufficient to communicate with patients and the interprofessional team; to assess and monitor patient sounds.
Examples: Communicate and interact with patients and families from a variety of backgrounds. Appropriately respond to instructions. Assess heart and breath sounds. Detect and discriminate between sounds of normal conversation. Identify and localize alarm sounds emitted from patient care equipment.
Communication abilities for effective interaction with health-care team.
Examples: Accurately convey information and interpretation of information using one or more means of communication (verbal, written, or assisted such as interpreter or TTY) to patients and healthcare team. Ascertain and record patient histories. Monitor and document patient progress. Provide clear directions to patients.
Mobility and strength sufficient to move equipment and assist patients.
Examples: Support and transfer patients, move in and out of treatment areas, reach equipment or parts of patient’s body, transfer mobile equipment; lift and transport oxygen cylinders, move in and out treatment areas. Push/pull hospital bed.
Perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously. Fine and gross motor skills sufficient to handle equipment and provide safe and effective patient care; steady arm and hand movements while manipulating objects or assisting patients.
Examples: Operate and manipulate equipment, blood collection devices, and several items at once. Administer aerosols, suction patient, adjust pressure gauges, and manipulate resuscitation equipment.
Tactile ability sufficient to assess patient’s response to therapy.
Examples: Distinguish textures, degrees of firmness, temperature differences, and pulse rate.
Visual ability sufficient to monitor and assess patients, equipment function, and to provide safe and effective care.
Examples: Read written instructions / orders. Read fine print, monitors, and gauges. Differentiate color / character of sputum for signs / nature of infection / disease. Chart procedures and observation in a permanent medical record.
Physical endurance ability sufficient to work in a clinical setting for eight (8) to twelve (12) hours performing physical tasks requiring physical energy without jeopardizing patient safety.
Examples: Remain active between patient care areas for over an hour. Perform chest compressions during CPR. Manually ventilate a patient for over 30 minutes during resuscitation.
Mental/attitudinal ability sufficient to interact with patients and other health care personnel in providing appropriate patient care exhibiting attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession.
Examples: Function safely, effectively, and calmly under stressful situations. Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Prioritize multiple tasks. Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, families, supervisors, and co-workers of the same or different cultures such as respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, and discretion. Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with patient care.
