Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory Care

This book combines the theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills required to perform the required to practice the art and science of respiratory care. Other books only present the psychomotor aspects of a skill or procedure (monkey see monkey do). This is the only text that integrates the theory knowledge and the practical skills in one concise manual. By combining both aspects of procedural performance, indications, contraindications, assessment and outcomes may be more thoroughly emphasized.The inclusion of the American Association for Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guidelines lends credibility to this approach. The clinical practice guidelines emphasize the importance of assessment of need, contraindications, hazards/complications, monitoring and outcomes assessment. Simply providing a “cook book” approach to a skill or procedure negates the importance of the theory required to perform adequate assessment and document outcomes of a given therapeutic intervention.

Gary White is the program director of the Respiratory Care Program at Spokane Community College, where he has been teaching since 1992. He previously held the rank of Assistant Professor of Respiratory Care at Weber State University from 1982 to 1992. He holds a master's degree from Weber State University in Education, a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Puget Sound, and an associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy from Highline Community College. Gary's avocation is writing. He has authored three text books in respiratory care and is currently working on a manuscript for his fourth title.