Purpose Statement:
All students in this program are expected to meet certain essential functions/technical standards which are essential for successful completion of all phases of the program and which reflect industry requirements and standards. To verify the students’ ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the following technical standards:
| Standard | Definition of Standard | Example(s) of Technical Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Critical Thinking Skills | Critical thinking and problem solving ability sufficient for clinical judgement. | Including the use of scientific and evidence-based knowledge regarding alterations in health, to guide actions which promote safety and maintain patient-centered care. Skill development includes reading and comprehending relevant information in textbooks, medical records, and other forms of data. |
| 2. Mobility/Motor Skills | Physical mobility and strength sufficient to move through the clinical setting, to move patients and equipment, to use one’s body for treatment without the use of equipment, and to ensure patient safety during treatment. | Including but not limited to flexibility for bending and squatting, sufficient dexterity and strength to assist patients with physical limitations and manipulate patient equipment. |
| 3. Tactile Skills | Tactile skills sufficient to monitor and treat patients and to perform measurements. | Including but not limited to detecting pulses and chest rise and fall. |
| 4. Auditory Skills | Auditory acuity sufficient to monitor and treat patients and to monitor safety warning signals on equipment. | Including but not limited to hearing equipment alarms, heart sounds, and breath sounds. |
| 5. Visual Skills | Visual acuity sufficient to monitor and treat patients and to monitor safety warning signals on equipment. | Including but not limited to observing patient response to treatment, changes in skin color, readings on equipment, and medication instructions. |
| 6. Communication Skills | Communication skills sufficient for acceptable written, verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate with individuals, families and groups. | Including written and speaking skills sufficient to perform respiratory care assessments, provide patient teaching, document observations, interpret provider orders, record patient responses to treatments, write therapy notes, give and receive patient reports. |
| 7. Interpersonal Skills | Ability to interact with individuals, families, and groups successfully from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. | Including the ability to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds and the establishment of positive relationships with patients, families, peers, agency staff members and faculty. |
| 8. Behavioral Skills | Must possess emotional stability sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations. | Including behavior that demonstrates respect of self and others, and behavior that demonstrates initiative, cooperation, and professionalism. Performance of duties that adhere to ethical and legal standards and promote a positive image of professional nursing. Performs duties within scope of practice. |
In the case of a qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless to do so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the patient or student.
Disability Services Statement
The College has a legal obligation to provide appropriate accommodations for students with documented disabilities. If you have a disability and are seeking accommodations, you should contact the Disability Services Office (Sink Building; 694-1813) and notify your course instructor of your disability as appropriate. Students should initiate this process as soon as possible (prior to the start of classes and/or field experience).