FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Interventional Pulmonology (IP) is a new medical subspecialty that has radically changed
the approach to evaluating and treating pulmonary conditions. The first Board Certification
for Pulmonologists in this subspecialty was December 2013.
Interventional Pulmonology Assistants are trained Respiratory Therapists who assist
with IP procedures. They assist physicians who perform a large number of procedures
including, obtaining biopsies of pulmonary nodules, diagnosis, and staging of lung
cancer, treatment of lung cancer and diagnosis and treatment of pleural diseases.
The majority of these procedures are minimally-invasive non-surgical procedures done
with the use of a bronchoscope.
The IPA certificate program was established to expand the knowledge base of Respiratory
Therapists currently working in IP.
Yes, this certificate has been state-approved and it is transcriptable.
This program was intended for Respiratory Therapists already working in IP, however,
Nurses who work in IP can also complete this certificate. The program is open on a
first come first serve basis and enrollment will be capped at 30. It is free to apply to Foothill College.
The program is four (4) courses long and will take approximately six months to complete.
There are two classes offered each quarter in sequence. In total there are 4 courses
needed to complete this certificate. See college tuition and fees.
Yes, the courses were created so that working individuals could take them.
Yes, the courses will be online using the Canvas platform.
There is a clinical component for those with access to IP procedures and for those
living in the proximity to the Foothill campus.
There are over 40 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that fall under IP.
There are many diseases and conditions including the following:
- Abnormal chest x-ray
- Amyloidosis
- Asthma
- Benign pleural effusion
- Benign tumors of the airways or lungs
- Bronchial stenosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/emphysema
- Complications of tracheostomy and intubation
- Diffuse lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis
- Foreign body extraction
- Hemoptysis (blood in sputum, aka coughing up blood)
- Lung cancer
- Lung nodule and lung mass
- Malignant pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space)
Email questions to Brenda Hanning, the Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Foothill College at hanningbrenda@fhda.edu.
Please include IPA in the subject line.
Contact UsBrenda Hanning, RRT, RCPProgram Director, Respiratory Therapy650.949.7466 hanningbrenda@foothill.edu
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