Menu
Back
Home > Academics > Programs and Classes > Allied Health > Respiratory Care (A.S.)

Respiratory Care (A.S.)

Programs and Classes

Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care at BCC

Program Overview

Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a wide range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including such problems as asthma or heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs.

Under a physician's supervision, respiratory care practitioners plan and assist with patient care and serve as a resource for professionals in other health care fields. They work in various settings, including hospital acute care and intensive care unites, hospital neonatal units (for premature infants), and outpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing home, home care and diagnostic laboratories.

This program is a sequence of lecture, laboratory and clinical courses, comprehensive on-site training provides opportunities for students to become skilled and confident in respiratory care procedures. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care examination to become registered Respiratory Therapists.

View the Course Catalog for Admission Requirements

Contact Us

Thomas Carey, RRT, MPH, Program Advisor
tcarey@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-4526

Respiratory Care Matriculation Form (PDF)

Accreditation

This program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690. 817-283-2835, https://coarc.com/

For more information on accreditation and specific programmatic outcomes, please use the following link: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/

Learn More

  • Job Growth and Wages

    The Projected Average Salary of respiratory therapists working in the U.S. is over $62,000 a year. In Massachusetts, respiratory therapists earn a median wage of $46,800 and $75,770. Salary ranges vary depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession, and location within the state. (www1.salary.com/MA/Springfield/Registered-Respiratory-Therapist-Salary)

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the next decade. While U.S. employment in general is forecast to increase by 15 percent, the need for respiratory therapists will grow by up to 26 percent. (www.aarc.org)

  • Job Titles
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist
    • Certified Respiratory Therapist
    • Respiratory Therapy Dept Shift Supervisor
    • Pulmonary Function technologist
    • Pulmonary Rehabilitation therapist
    • Neonatal/ Pediatric transport therapist
  • Local Employers
    • Berkshire Medical Center
    • Hillcrest Commons
    • Flynn's Pharmacy
    • Pathways
    • St Margaret's
    • Albany Medical Center
    • Columbia Memorial Hospital
  • Full-Time Schedule

    SEMESTER 1

    Anatomy and Physiology I
    Essentials of Chemistry
    English Composition I
    Math for Health Sciences
    Behavioral Science

    SEMESTER 2

    Essentials of Pharmacology
    Anatomy and Physiology II
    Respiratory Care I: Theory and Practice
    English Composition II

    SEMESTER 3

    Pathophysiology
    Microbiology
    Respiratory Care II: Theory and Practice
    Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology

    SEMESTER 4

    Respiratory Care III: Theory and Practice
    Communication
    General Elective

    SUMMER SEMESTER

    Respiratory Care Practicum

The courses were challenging and interesting; the instructors were engaging and supportive. There were so many opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom. Best of all, I had three job offers before graduation. My BCC education prepared me well to start my new career as a Respiratory Therapist.

Valerie Rose, Class of 2018