Courses and Requirements
The associate degree program in Respiratory Care provides students with a curriculum that leads to the Associate in Science degree, eligibility for the national credentialing process, entry into the Massachusetts licensure process, and employment in Respiratory Care. Respiratory therapists participate in the diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases and other breathing disorders. Graduates are prepared for the National Board of Respiratory Care credentialing exams, (CRT and RRT), and for state licensure as a respiratory therapist. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses in order to continue to the next semester and in order to graduate.
A minimum of 74 credit hours are required for graduation.
Students contemplating a career in respiratory care must be aware that if they have ever been convicted by a court of law, their records will be subject to review by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Respiratory Care upon application to take the examination for registered respiratory licensure.
A CORI/CHRI/SORI check is required prior to the clinical experience. See more information below.
Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
Accreditation
The Respiratory Care Program at Northern Essex Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Additional Admission Criteria and Information
Please find additional information here: Required Forms.
CORI/CHRI/SORI
Students interested in participation in this academic program are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.
Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.
CPR
Students are required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses.
Drug & Alcohol Screening
Students enrolled in this academic program are required to pass a drug and alcohol screening analysis.
Health
Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including the Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to final acceptance to the Program.
Student Professional Liability Insurance
Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.
Requirements
| BIO115 | Physiological Chemistry | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO122 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO220 | Microbiology | 4 | Information Literacy Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| RSC100 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 | |
| RSC101 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I | 3 | |
| RSC102 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II | 4 | |
| RSC103 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| RSC104 | Introduction to Respiratory Disease | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive Written Communication Intensive |
| RSC111 | Respiratory Modalities I | 2 | |
| RSC112 | Respiratory Modalities II | 2 | |
| RSC191 | Respiratory Clinical I | 1 | |
| RSC192 | Respiratory Clinical II | 4 | |
| RSC200 | Diagnostics in Respiratory Medicine | 3 | |
| RSC201 | Respiratory Critical Care I | 3 | |
| RSC202 | Respiratory Critical Care II | 3 | |
| RSC203 | Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| RSC211 | Respiratory Modalities III | 2 | |
| RSC212 | Respiratory Modalities IV | 2 | |
| RSC290 | Clinical Diagnostics | 1 | |
| RSC292 | Respiratory Clinical III | 4 | |
| RSC293 | Respiratory Clinical IV | 4 | |
RSC100: Respiratory/Polysomnography or permission of instructor
Courses with Prerequisites: BIO121, BIO122, BIO220, ENG102, RSC101, RSC102, RSC103, RSC104, RSC111, RSC112, RSC191, RSC192, RSC200, RSC201, RSC202, RSC203, RSC211, RSC212, RSC290, RSC292, RSC293
Milestone Courses: RSC102, RSC111, RSC112, RSC191, RSC192, RSC201, RSC211, RSC212, RSC292, RSC293
Schedule Tips: RSC100, RSC101, RSC111, RSC191, RSC201, RSC203, RSC211, RSC292 offered FALL ONLY; RSC102, RSC103, RSC104, RSC112, RSC192, RSC202, RSC212, RSC293 offered SPRING ONLY; RSC200, RSC290 offered SUMMER ONLY
Electives
Program Notes
Students considering a career as a respiratory therapist must have good interpersonal skills; a caring and compassionate attitude; the ability to organize time and prioritize tasks; and, an active interest in the field of medicine. Success in this profession requires a solid foundation in the biologic sciences (chemistry, physics, human anatomy and physiology), and basic computer skills.
Required Course Sequence Respiratory Care Associate Degree
Year 1
Fall
| BIO115 | Physiological Chemistry | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| RSC100 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 | |
| RSC101 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I | 3 | |
| RSC111 | Respiratory Modalities I | 2 | |
| RSC191 | Respiratory Clinical I | 1 | |
Spring
| BIO122 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| RSC102 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II | 4 | |
| RSC103 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| RSC104 | Introduction to Respiratory Disease | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive Written Communication Intensive |
| RSC112 | Respiratory Modalities II | 2 | |
| RSC192 | Respiratory Clinical II | 4 | |
Summer
| BIO220 | Microbiology | 4 | Information Literacy Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| RSC200 | Diagnostics in Respiratory Medicine | 3 | |
| RSC290 | Clinical Diagnostics | 1 | |
Year 2
Fall
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| RSC201 | Respiratory Critical Care I | 3 | |
| RSC203 | Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| RSC211 | Respiratory Modalities III | 2 | |
| RSC292 | Respiratory Clinical III | 4 | |
Spring
| RSC202 | Respiratory Critical Care II | 3 | |
| RSC212 | Respiratory Modalities IV | 2 | |
| RSC293 | Respiratory Clinical IV | 4 | |
| Humanities/Social Science Elective | 3 | |