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Respiratory Therapist

Essential Functions

The Alabama Community College System endorses the Americans’ with Disabilities Act. In accordance with College policy, when requested, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Physical, cognitive, psychomotor, affective and social abilities are required in unique combinations to provide safe and effective respiratory therapy care. The applicant/student must be able to meet the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations throughout the program of learning. Admission, progression and graduation are contingent upon one’s ability to demonstrate the essential functions delineated for the respiratory therapist program with or without reasonable accommodations. The respiratory therapist program and/or its affiliated clinical agencies may identify additional essential functions. The respiratory therapist program reserves the right to amend the essential functions as deemed necessary.

In order to be admitted and to progress in the respiratory therapist program one must possess a functional level of ability to perform the duties required of a respiratory therapist. Admission or progression may be denied if a student is unable to demonstrate the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

The essential functions delineated are those deemed necessary for the respiratory therapist program. No representation regarding industrial standards is implied. Similarly, any reasonable accommodations provided will be determined and applied to the respective respiratory therapist program and may vary from reasonable accommodations made by healthcare employers.

The essential functions delineated below are necessary for respiratory therapist program admission, progression and graduation and for the provision of safe and effective physical therapy care. The essential functions include but are not limited to the ability to:

 

Cognitive and critical thinking abilities are sufficient to make clinical judgments and meet laboratory objectives and requirements

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Can comprehend new knowledge and apply it in RPT practice.
  2. Can analyze situations and identify cause-effect relationships.
  3. Can organize, problem-solve, and make decisions.
  4. Can meet mental competency requirements of the Alabama Board of Respiratory  Therapy.
  5. Can compute mathematical problems.
  6. Can operate a computer after an orientation.

Interpersonal abilities are sufficient to interact purposefully and effectively with others.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Can establish rapport with individuals.
  2. Can interchange ideas in a group.
  3.  Can perceive emotions displayed by others.
  4. Am able to convey sensitivity, respect, tact, and a mentally healthy attitude in interpersonal relationships.

Fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination are sufficient to safely fulfill laboratory objectives and requirements.

  1. Am able to manipulate small objects and dials on equipment.
  2. Can manipulate objects without extraneous motions, tremors or jerking.
  3. Can write the English language legibly, using correct grammar and syntax.

Am able to manipulate small objects and dials on equipment. Can manipulate objects without extraneous motions, tremors or jerking. Can write the English language legibly, using correct grammar and syntax.

  1. Can hear high and low frequency sounds, such as telephones, monitor alarms, emergency signals, weak cries of infants and weak calls for help.

Visual ability is sufficient to monitor and assess patient status and to fulfill laboratory objectives and requirements.

Instruments to enhance or correct vision are portable, usable in small spaces and in varying levels of light and do not disrupt care or cause discomfort to patients.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Am able to discern the full spectrum of colors and to distinguish color changes.
  2. Can accurately read numbers and letters in fine print, such as would appear on therapy or monitoring equipment in varying levels of light (daylight to very dim light).
  3. Can read for long periods of time.
  4. Can read cursive writing such as would be found on patient’s charts.
  5. Can detect changes in the environment.

Tactile ability and sense of smell are sufficient to assess patients and the environment.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Can discern tremors or vibrations in various body parts.
  2. Can palpate and count pulses.
  3. Can discern physical characteristics through touch, such as texture, shape, size, location and others.
  4. Can smell body and environmental odors, such as infected wounds or burning electrical equipment.

Communication abilities are sufficient to convey thoughts in verbal and written form so that they are understood by others.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Have sufficient English language abilities to understand printed materials; classroom lectures; instructional, medical, or other directives; and patient questions and/or responses.
  2. Have sufficient English language abilities to be understood in verbal and written communication.
  3. Can appropriately use the language of RPT and health care in verbal and written communications.
  4. Can teach a concept and test for understanding.
  5. Can interpret feedback or messages.

Physical mobility is sufficient to fulfill classroom, clinical and program objectives safely and effectively.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Can maintain balance in any position and can stand on both legs for long period of time. Move from room to room in a timely manner, maneuver in small spaces, and climb stairs.
  2. Can freely move all joints through functional range of motion.
  3. Can achieve certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) level.

Strength (gross motor skills) and endurance are sufficient to safely fulfill clinical laboratory objectives and requirements.

EXAMPLES OF CRITERIA 

  1. Can stand and walk for 10 hours or more in a clinical situation.
  2. Can position, lift and transfer patients from all surfaces without injury to the patient, self, or others.
  3. Can push or pull heavy objects, such as occupied hospital bed without injury to patient, self or others.
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