Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat, rehabilitate and educate patients to prevent and manage cardiopulmonary diseases.
Procedures performed by respiratory therapists include aerosolized medication therapy, bronchopulmonary clearance techniques and administration of medical gases. Respiratory therapists also provide ventilator support, pulmonary rehabilitation and advanced life support. They are skilled in airway maintenance, procurement and analysis of arterial blood gas samples, and in the performance of pulmonary function tests and sleep diagnostic studies.
Clinical Observation Opportunities
To explore a career in respiratory therapy, students can spend the day or just several hours with a therapist. Students may observe at any hospital after contacting the Respiratory Care department to arrange a convenient date and time. Allow up to five working days for the contact person to respond to a request.
Appropriate dress is required during a clinical observation. In general, jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sandals and athletic shoes are considered inappropriate. Questions about proper attire can be addressed with the facility’s contact person prior to the scheduled observation. Some hospitals have specific requirements, such as proof of a recent TB test, flu shot or vaccination records. Students should discuss any hospital-specific requirements prior to the visit. Strict confidentiality regarding patient care is expected and required by law during and after a clinical observation.
A clinical observation can potentially be arranged with the following IU School of Medicine clinical partners by December 1. To cancel or reschedule a clinical observation, students must provide the clinical affiliate 24 hours notice. Failure to do so may adversely affect application to the Respiratory Therapy program.
Clinical Observation
Applicants to the Respiratory Therapy degree program are encouraged (but not required) to complete two or more clinical observations. Applicants are encouraged to record observation hours on this Respiratory Therapy Clinical Observation Form.
IU Health Methodist Hospital
Respiratory Care Department
1701 N Senate Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: Joel Meacham, RRT
jmeacha2@IUHealth.org
Riley Hospital at IU Health
Respiratory Care Department
702 Barnhill Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: Eric Sageser, RRT
psageser@IUHealth.org
St. Vincent Hospital
Respiratory Care Department
2001 W. 86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: Ruth Jundos, RRT
rajundos@ascension.org
Franciscan St. Francis Hospital
Respiratory Care Department
8111 S. Emerson Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Contact: Joseph Boosey, RRT
(317) 528-8952
IU Health Indiana University Hospital
Respiratory Care Department
550 University Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: Joel Meacham, RRT
jmeacha2@IUHealth.org
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Respiratory Therapy Department
2401 W. University Ave.
Muncie, IN 47303
Contact: Kathy Conner, RRT
kconner3@iuhealth.org
IU Health West Hospital
Respiratory Therapy Department
1111 North Ronald Reagan Parkway
Avon, IN 46123
Contact: Jana Butler, RRT-NPS
(317) 270-8373