The mission of Bellarmine University is to educate its students’ “…mind, body, and spirit—for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical leadership, and service to improve the human condition.” The goal of the respiratory therapy program is subsumed within the university mission, in that the program graduates serve as, “…competent advanced level respiratory therapists.” Intellectual, moral, ethical, and professional competencies are explicitly stated in terms of three program objectives. Progress toward each objective is evaluated annually, using two or more evaluation systems, under guidelines promulgated by the Committee on the Accreditation of Respiratory Care (COARC). Program objectives and evaluation systems are as follows:
For both undergraduate and graduate students:
- Intellectual competencies: To comprehend, evaluate, and apply clinical information relevant to advanced-level respiratory therapy practice (Cognitive Domain).
- National board examination system performance (Therapist Multiple Choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination).
- Survey following program completion looking at the graduate’s self-assessment of his or her professional knowledge base in reference to clinical expectations.
- Employer survey during first year after program completion assessing each graduate’s professional knowledge base in relation to clinical practice.
- Moral, ethical competencies: To demonstrate professional behavior (Affective Domain).
- Ongoing in-program clinical assessment of peer and patient interactions.
- Survey following program completion directed at graduate’s self-described attitudes and behavior toward patients and peers.
- Employer survey during first year after program completion assessing the graduate’s attitudes and behavior toward patients and peers.
- Professional competencies: To demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of an advanced-level respiratory therapy practitioner (Psychomotor Domain).
- Survey following program completion looking at the graduate’s appraisal of his or her confidence and competence in performing clinical procedures.
- Employer survey during first year after program completion assessing the graduate’s clinical competency.
- Leadership competencies: To describe and apply leadership skills related to management and education.
- Survey following completion of the capstone assessing the graduate’s leadership skills.
- Employer survey after completion of the capstone assessing the graduate’s leadership skills and potential.
Working toward its goals and objectives, the respiratory therapy program addresses Bellarmine’s larger mission to benefit the public interest and improve the human condition.