RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM
What is Respiratory Care?
Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty engaged in the treatment,
management, control, diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with
deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary systems (heart and lungs).
Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) work in a variety of settings including:
adult, pediatric and newborn medical units, emergency rooms, outpatient
departments, intensive care units, rehabilitation and home care. Students are
introduced to advanced technology in respiratory care throughout the program.
Graduates of the program receive an Associate in
Science degree and are eligible to take the national credentialing examinations
for Respiratory Care Practitioners to achieve the Registered Respiratory
Therapist (RRT) credential.
The Respiratory Care Program prepares students to function as competent
registered respiratory therapists. If you enjoy working with people and modern
equipment and are seeking a health career position of responsibility, your
application is welcome.
Mission Statement
The Respiratory Care Career Program is a partnership between Norwalk Community
College and Norwalk Hospital that was designed to prepare students as competent
Registered Respiratory Therapists. This program meets a community need for
healthcare professionals. This affordable and accessible program offers an
innovative program of study for the communitys diverse population. The faculty
believes that a nurturing educational environment will produce lifelong learners
who are active and responsible leaders in their careers.
Is This An Accredited Program?
This Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory
Care. Information about this program can be obtained by calling the CoARC
@817-283-2835 or on-line @
www.coarc.com.
Employment and Career Opportunities
Career opportunities locally and nationally are excellent. As in any other
medical profession, RCPs can choose to specialize in an area of technical
expertise such as critical care, pediatrics, diagnostic studies, rehabilitation,
education, management or home care.
Salaries generally vary with geographic location of the nation. In Connecticut,
graduates can expect to earn approximately $38,000 $45,000 per year, with
successive salary increases after advanced credentialing.
What are the Program Requirements?
- A grade of C- or better in a high school or college science course.
- Placement testing is required of students who have not completed college level English and mathematics with a grade of C- or better.
- Eligibility for EN101 Composition.
- Completion of Intermediate Algebra Ma100 or equivalent or placement out through the college placement test.
- A grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 in high school or college (college GPA based on 12 or more credits)
*Spaces are limited in the Respiratory Care Program. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the Program.
Other Considerations:
- Number of completed credits in courses required for the Respiratory Care or other Allied Health Programs with a grade of C- or better.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are
encouraged to demonstrate how their experience or education has prepared them
for the Respiratory Care Program.
Program Expenses
This educational program is very affordable. Additional costs such as lab coats,
stethoscopes, and other supplies are required and are the responsibility of the
student. Financial Aid is available through the NCC Financial Aid Office.
The following scholarships are available for Respiratory Care students:
- Norwalk Hospital Womans Board Scholarship for Respiratory Care
- Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship for Respiratory Care
- Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care New Student Scholarship
Applications are made available upon acceptance into the Respiratory Care
Program.
Respiratory Care Courses
RSP* 141 Principles of Respiratory Care
(RC 101 Introduction to Respiratory Care)
Co Requisites: EN 101, CH 100, BI 109, RSP*111 (RC 102)
Pre-Requisites: Ma 100
This course introduces the student to basic principles of Respiratory Care.
Technical aspects include medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy,
physical assessment techniques, infection control, and oxygen therapy. The
student will also learn about professionalism, cultural diversity in health care
and computerized medical documentation. Three hours of class, four hours of
laboratory practice and 4 hours of clinical experience per week.
RSP*111 Medical Physics
(RC 102 Medical Physics)
Co Requisites: RSP* 141 (RC 101)
Prerequisites: Ma 100
This course introduces the student to the basic principles of physics applicable
to respiratory care. Topics include systems of measurement, fluid dynamics, gas
laws, diffusion, pneumatics, heat and electricity. Additionally the course
provides a review of basic algebraic operations. Three hours of class per week.
RSP* 120 Respiratory Physiology
(RC 103 Respiratory Physiology)
Co Requisites: RSP* 161 (RC 104), BI 110, RSP* 151 (RC 120)
Prerequisites: RSP* 141 (RC 101), RSP* 111 (RC 102), BI 109, CH 100
The structure and function of the respiratory system and its relationship to the
cardiovascular system are studied. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship
of structure and function, including mechanics of respiration, ventilation,
tissue metabolism, oxygen transport, perfusion, gas exchange and histology. Two
hours of class per week.
RSP* 161 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
(RC 104 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures)
Co Requisites: RSP* 120 (RC 103), RSP* 151 (RC 120), BI 110
Prerequisites: RSP* 141 (RC 101), RSP* 111 (RC 102)
This course introduces the student to the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
utilized in the hospital to manage patients with abnormalities or dysfunction of
the respiratory system. Included in the course are theory and operation of such
topics as aerosol therapy, respiratory pharmacology, hyperinflation therapy, and
pulmonary function studies with the use of computerized technology. Computerized
charting systems are also introduced.
Three hours of class, four hours of laboratory practice and 8 hours of clinical
experience.
RSP* 151 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
(RC 120 Cardiopulmonary Pathology)
CoRequisites: RSP* 161 (RC 104), RSP* 120 (RC 103), BI 110
Prerequisites: RSP* 111 (RC 102), RSP* 141 (RC 101), BI 109, CH 100
This course examines the etiology, Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and
treatment of various cardiovascular diseases and diseases that directly affect
the cardiopulmonary system. Case application will be included. Three hours of
class per week.
RSP* 281 Advanced Clinical Practicum
(RC 121 Respiratory Care Practicum)
Prerequisites: RSP* 161 (RC 104)
This course is designed to allow the student to utilize all previously learned
respiratory care skills in a clinical setting. The student is introduced to more
invasive patient care procedures such as airway management, arterial puncture,
analysis and data entry, and BLS CPR, which will enhance the transition to
critical care. Four hours of class, four hours of laboratory practice, and
sixteen hours of clinical per week.
RSP* 272 Critical Care I
(RC 201 Critical Care I)
Co Requisites: RSP*291 (RC 203), RSP *201 (RC 206), BI 205
Prerequisites: RSP* 281 (RC 121)
This course will focus on conventional and alternative forms of mechanical
ventilation. Indications, application, discontinuation, and physical effects of
mechanical ventilation will be discussed. The student will learn advanced
interpretation of arterial blood gases, pulmonary function testing and imaging
studies. Noninvasive, home, and intra- and interhospital transport strategies
will also be covered. Three hours of class, four hours of laboratory and sixteen
hours of clinical per week.
RESP* 291 Perinatal Care and Pediatric Respiratory Care
(RC 203 Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care)
Co Requisites: RSP* 272 (RC 201), RSP* 201 (RC 206), BI 205
Prerequisites: RSP*281 (RC 121)
This course will provide the student with a comprehensive study of pediatric and
perinatal respiratory care. Pediatric/perinatal cardiopulmonary pathophysiology,
ventilatory management, PALS and NRP techniques, and embryology will be
examined. Two hours of class per week.
RSP* 273 Critical Care II
(RC 204 Critical Care II)
Prerequisites: RSP* 272 (RC 201), RSP*291 (RC 203)
This course focuses on basic cardiac and neurological function.
Electrophysiology, lead placement, cardiac dysrhythmias recognition and
treatment will be covered. The student learns the concepts and clinical
applications of cardiology, cardiac diseases, and invasive and noninvasive
physiologic monitoring. Successful completion of a group-administered
self-assessment CRT credentialing examination is required for course completion.
Three hours of class and 20 hours of clinical practice per week.
RSP*201 Future Trends
(RC 206 Future Trends in Respiratory Care)
Co Requisites: RSP* 272 (RC 201), RSP* 291 (RC 203)
Prerequisites: RSP*281 (RC 121)
This course is designed to expose the student to health care settings and issues
other than those found in an acute care setting. This course will provide an
overview of such topics as smoking cessation, polysomnography, continuous
quality improvement, research methods and statistics, and development and
implementation of respiratory protocols. Two hours of class per week.
Program of Study
| Freshmen Courses | |
| Fall Semester | Credits |
| RSP* 141(RC101) Principles of Respiratory Care |
4 |
| RSP*111(RC102) Medical Physics | 3 |
| EN 101 English Composition | 3 |
| BI 109 Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| CH 100 Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 4 |
| 18 | |
| Spring Semester | |
| RSP*120(RC103) Respiratory Physiology |
2 |
| RSP*161(RC104) Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures |
5 |
| RSP*151(RC120) Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology |
3 |
| BI 110 Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
| 14 | |
| Summer Session I | |
| RSP*281 (RC121) Advanced Clinical Practicum |
2 |
| Summer Session II | |
| EN 102 Literature and Composition | 3 |
| 5 | |
| Sophomore Courses | |
| Fall Semester | |
| RSP* 272(RC201) Critical Care I | 7 |
| RSP*291(RC203) Perinatal Care and Pediatric Respiratory Care |
2 |
| RSP*201(RC206) Future Trends | 2 |
| BI 205 Microbiology | 4 |
| 15 | |
| Spring Courses | |
| RSP*273(RC204) Critical Care II | 7 |
| IDS 210 Humanities: The Creative Voice |
3 |
| PY 101 General Psychology | 3 |
| STA 203 Speech Communication | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Credits | 68 |
The Admissions Process
Contact the Admissions Office to learn more about the opportunities available to
you at NCC. To begin, call Admissions at (203) 857-7060 or the School of
Respiratory Care at
(203) 852-2479.
Student Services
NCC offers a complete student support system with a variety of services and
activities designed to help you experience a successful college career.
Career Center
Child Development Center
Counseling
English as a Second Language
Financial Aid
Fitness Center
Full Access Campus
Learning Skills Center/Library
Orientation
Services for Students with Disabilities
Servicios Para Los Hispanos
Student Activities
Student Employment Services
Student Support Services
Tutoring Center