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Technical Standards

Technical standards for successful completion of the KU bachelor's degree in respiratory care upon graduation

The technical standards demonstrate you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be a candidate for national board registries. Please read and understand the information presented on this page. You will be asked to verify you can meet these standards with or without accommodation(s). Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified.

Expectations and Program Requirements

Visual/Auditory
Ability to accurately observe patients from a distance or close at hand, correctly read digital, analogue or graphic gauges, scales and monitors and recognize biohazardous fluids. You must be able to hear audio and see visual alarms, breath and heart sounds with a stethoscope and see cardiac/pulmonary waveforms on monitoring screens.

Sensory/Motor
Application of both fine and gross motor skill capabilities is necessary to perform patient care procedures. These include but are not limited to: palpating, auscultating, percussing the chest, administering medications using airway and endotracheal access, obtaining blood samples from veins and arteries, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, turning and lifting patients, moving heavy or bulky equipment, maneuvering in tight places, and assembling and calibrating respiratory care equipment.

Communication
Because of the importance of good communication in patient safety, a student must be able to interface effectively and sensitively with patients, families and health care providers by speaking, hearing and perceiving non-verbal communication. This includes accurate oral and written communication with all members of the health care team.

Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrative and Qualitative Abilities
Ability to comprehend and apply instructive concepts to the clinical setting. This involves physiologic measurements, mathematical computation, information gathering, interpretation and analysis of data and problem solving.

Behavioral and Social Attributes
Possession of the emotional health necessary to exercise judgment, complete patient care responsibilities, and maintain effective relationships with others in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. This includes tolerance for physically taxing workloads and the ability to function effectively under stress. Students must be adaptive to changing environments, display flexibility and function in the uncertainties inherent to the health care setting. Other important personal qualities include compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for admission to this program.

KU School of Health Professions

University of Kansas Medical Center
Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 1013
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-4630 • 711 TTY