Weber State University has established rigorous project requirements for respiratory therapy students enrolled in specialized coursework, requiring baccalaureate-prepared, registry-eligible students to conduct intensive workplace research or clinical assessments. These projects, central to the REST 4630 and REST 4610 curricula, demand that students collect data and analyze healthcare practices to prepare for professional roles in respiratory care.
Quality Improvement Requirements
The REST 4630 Continuous Quality Improvement Project requires students to demonstrate a working knowledge of how to construct and conduct quality improvement or quality assurance projects within a professional workplace. According to Weber State University, the project's primary goal is for students to develop, study, and recommend specific actions regarding quality concerns identified in their place of employment.
To ensure professional integration, the university recommends that students be currently employed in the field of respiratory care during the semester they complete the project. If students are employed, it is recommended that the project be conducted under the supervision of appropriate personnel at their place of employment. To finalize the course registration, students must have their project contract approved by their supervisor via email to instructor J. Gardiner by the Friday of the first week of the semester.
Documentation and Grading Standards
The scope of the REST 4630 project is tied to specific credit hours and documentation standards. For students registering for one credit, the project requires a 4-5 page paper using continuous quality improvement methodology and a time log totaling between 35 and 40 documented clock hours. Students must also submit a letter or email of evaluation from their supervisor that verifies the time spent on the project.
For students seeking two credits, the requirements increase to an 8-10 page paper and a time log totaling between 70 and 80 documented clock hours. In both cases, students must submit supporting documents, such as forms created or graphs displaying gathered information, to complete the assignment. The final deadline for all project components is the last day of class as defined by the Weber State University academic calendar.
Advanced Clinical Assessment Focus
The REST 4610 Advanced Patient Assessment Project focuses on the critical evaluation of healthcare practitioner practices. According to Weber State University, students in this course must develop a thorough understanding of the patient assessment process by asking specific questions to determine what knowledge is essential for healthcare practitioners or by performing chart reviews of specific pulmonary diseases.
Students are encouraged to move beyond passive observation or shadowing. Instead, they are tasked with identifying similarities or differences in the assessment practices of various professionals, such as comparing a Cardiology Physician Assistant to a Pulmonology Doctor of Osteopathy or an Ear, Nose, and Throat Medical Doctor. The course also suggests investigating variables such as the role gender plays in assessment, for example, comparing a female Emergency Room physician to a male Family Practice physician.
Academic Progress and Deadlines
The REST 4610 curriculum emphasizes the importance of student reflection and structured progress monitoring. Students must identify specific strategies, such as research journals, specific experiences, or manuals, that will assist them in reflecting on their project findings.
A mid-term evaluation is required at the beginning of week 9, where students must email their instructor to provide progress updates. A working draft submitted at this stage accounts for 25% of the student's final grade. The remaining 75% of the grade is determined by other documentation and methods of evaluation, which are also split into 25% increments. Like the REST 4630 course, registration for REST 4610 must be completed by the Friday of the first week of the semester.
Professional Preparation Goals
Both the REST 4630 and REST 4610 projects require students to submit their final components by the last day of the semester as outlined in the Weber State University academic calendar. These academic requirements are designed to ensure that baccalaureate-prepared respiratory therapists possess the necessary skills to analyze clinical practices and implement quality improvements in their future professional environments.
