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Technical Standards

Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree at St. Mary’s/Marshall University signifies the graduate is prepared for practice in respiratory care by meeting the technical standard requirements.

Technical standards refer to the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of the curriculum.

Students must be able to perform the scope of practice as outlined in national and state standards, including but not limited to:

  • Gather, assess, and interpret patient data, and respond appropriately to changes in disease signs and symptoms, patient conditions and mental status (e.g. breathing, cardiac, and neurologic patterns)
  • Be able to move and/or reposition patients and equipment when necessary
  • Think critically, using sound judgment, emotional stability, maturity, empathy, and physical and mental stamina
  • Immediately comprehend and respond to auditory instructions or requests while thinking clearly and acting calmly in stressful situations
  • Perform fine and gross motor skills with both hands.
  • Communicate effectively when interacting with patients, patient’s families, and other members of the health care team
  • Carry out medically prescribed orders accurately and in a timely manner
  • Work as an effective health care team member Students having a past criminal record must declare this situation at the time of admission.

All technical standards must be met with either reasonable accommodation or without accommodation. Respiratory care students must have the ability to:

  1. Stand, sit, walk, push, pull, squat.
  2. Lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
  3. Reach in forward, lateral, and overhead motions.
  4. Climb stairs.
  5. Distinguish distance, colors, objects, persons.
  6. Perform close paperwork and computer work.
  7. Demonstrate depth perception.
  8. Hear conversations, monitor equipment, perform auscultation, use telephone, and distinguish background noise.
  9. Distinguish between sharp/dull and hot/cold

Certain types of criminal offenses may result in an inability to receive professional licensure and job offers upon graduation. Before starting the program, students in this situation must speak with the Program Director to determine the extent of possible future difficulties with this issue.