Technical Standards for the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program

These essential functions represent the non-academic requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program. All applicants must meet these requirements in order to participate in the program. Graduates of the program must be able to meet certain physical and mental requirements to ensure the safe performance of respiratory care procedures.

Due to the nature of typical clinical assignments, applicants must be able to meet the criteria listed below related to hearing, mobility, motor skills (fine and gross), tactile, visual, physical endurance and mental and attitudinal standards.

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 Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu or 501-526-5641.

The student must possess auditory ability sufficient to hear and understand patients and staff, assess and monitor patient sounds.

Examples include the following:

• Communicating and interacting with patients and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Following oral instructions.
• Hearing heart and breath sounds.
• Detecting and discriminating between sounds of normal respiration.
• Identifying and localizing alarm sounds emitted from patient care equipment.

The student must possess mobility and strength sufficient to support and move patients.

Examples include the following:

• Supporting and transferring patients, and moving in and out of treatment areas.
• Reaching equipment or parts of a patient’s body.

The student must possess the ability to perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously; fine and gross motor skills sufficient to handle equipment and provide safe and effective patient care; and steady arm and hand movements while manipulating objects or assisting patients.

Examples include the following:

• Operating and manipulating equipment, blood collection devices and several items at once.
• Administering aerosols, suctioning patients and adjusting pressure gauges.
• Lifting and transporting oxygen cylinders, and moving in and out of treatment areas.
• Pushing and pulling hospital beds.

The student must possess tactile ability sufficient to assess a patient’s response to therapy (e.g., distinguishing textures, degrees of firmness, temperature differences and pulse rate).

The student must possess visual ability sufficient to monitor and assess patient and equipment function to provide safe and effective respiratory care.

Examples include the following:

• Reading written instructions and orders.
• Reading fine print, monitors and gauges.
• Differentiating the color and character of sputum for signs or nature of infection and/or disease.
• Charting procedures and observations in a permanent medical record.

The student must possess physical endurance ability sufficient to work in a clinical setting for eight to twelve hours performing physical tasks requiring physical energy without jeopardizing patient safety.

Examples include the following:

• Remaining standing and walking between patient care areas for at least an hour.
• Performing chest compressions during CPR.
• Manually ventilating a patient for at least 30 minutes during resuscitation.

The student must possess mental and attitudinal ability sufficient to interact with patients and other health care personnel in providing appropriate patient care and exhibiting attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession.

Examples include the following:

• Functioning safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations.
• Maintaining composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritizing tasks effectively.
• Exhibiting social skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers from diverse cultural backgrounds, such as respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork and discretion.
• Maintaining personal hygiene consistent with the close personal contact associated with patient care.