Respiratory Care

Program Goals:

The QCC Respiratory Care associate degree program includes the following program goals:

• To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
• To prepare graduates to obtain the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential.
• To prepare graduates to obtain gainful employment as a Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP).

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the respiratory care code of ethics, ethical obligations, and professional conduct.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, time management skills, interpersonal communication skills, and technical skills necessary to provide competent patient-centered respiratory care in multidisciplinary care settings for patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and application of physical principles of gas and fluid dynamics.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of anatomy and physiology of the cardiac and pulmonary systems and the mechanisms of homeostatic control for acid/base balance ventilation, gas transport, and circulation for patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate implementation, monitoring, troubleshooting, evaluation, and strategies for discontinuing select therapeutic modalities employed in respiratory therapy such as gas, humidity, bland and medicated aerosol therapies, passive hyperinflation, chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, airway clearance and management techniques, non-invasive and invasive ventilation strategies for patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of concepts and techniques of patient assessment through inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The student will demonstrate proficiency in the patient interview and physical examination, arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, basic pulmonary and sleep diagnostics, electrocardiography, imaging, and laboratory diagnostic testing for patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the indications, contraindications, hazards, and routes of administration and correct dosages for all classes of respiratory drugs for patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic of diseases and conditions of the cardiopulmonary patients of all ages.
• Demonstrate basic competencies in the sub-acute care setting. 
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of respiratory therapists in alternate care sites (i.e., pulmonary and sleep diagnostics, rehabilitation, and homecare settings).

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

• High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
  • GPA: 3.00 or equivalent in high school or 3.00 in college with minimum 10 credits; or 550 Battery Average on GED; or HiSET 45.
• Attendance at a Health Information Session or complete FYE 102 with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Must show evidence of being compliant with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Additional immunization requirements will be required for clinical experiences.
• Interview with Program Director.
• English: Placement into college level English.
• Mathematics: Placement into college level mathematics.
• Qualifying biology course must be taken within five years of application. Required grade must be earned within two attempts of taking and completing the course.
  • Biology: Minimum grade of “B” in high school biology or “C” in college level biology course (BIO 101 recommended). Will accept a “3” on High School Advanced Placement Biology Exam.
• Required TEAS V or TEAS composite score of 65% or higher (cannot be a combination of multiple tests) must be achieved within five years of applying to the program.
  • Applicant must obtain a composite score of 65% or higher in no more than three attempts within a three-year period.
  • A TEAS composite score between 61% and 64% meets the admission criteria with appropriate biology and college GPA (see table below).
  • TEAS may be waived if the applicant has an advanced degree in science (i.e., BS, MS, or higher), or has taken the SAT and received a combined score of 1100 or higher, or received a score of 21 or higher on the ACT on each of the ACT sections.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and National Background checks are required in the program, either annually or every semester. Fingerprinting and drug testing may be required. Fingerprinting and drug testing results must meet clinical requirements. An issue with CORI/SORI, National Background, fingerprinting and/or drug testing could prevent a student from participating in a clinical/field rotation, which could result in dismissal from the program.

• Students should be aware that a prior or current history of a criminal or sexual offense may negatively impact the applicant’s ability to obtain a limited work permit while a student in the program, and/or a license to practice within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after graduation.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

• Students should anticipate additional expenses for uniforms/clinical wear, textbooks, parking fees at clinical sites, licensing examinations, CPR certification, health immunizations, physical exams, professional student membership, clinical make-up, and any required skills remediation.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

• If an applicant holds the CRT credential awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care or has completed courses at a CoARC accredited school of Respiratory Care, then the applicant may apply for advanced standing/credits toward a degree from QCC.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0908.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

Additional Information:

• Students accepted to the Respiratory Care program must:
  • Obtain Healthcare Provider Level BLS/CPR Certification prior to beginning the program.
  • Provide documentation of immunization currency and satisfactory health status and be cleared by August 15 of the respective year.
  • Maintain health insurance throughout their enrollment.
  • Provide annual TB test results.
• Courses in both Respiratory Care and Liberal Arts are required in the program curriculum. Respiratory Care courses include clinical experiences in area hospitals, rehabilitation/long-term care facilities and home care settings, as well as classroom study and laboratory practice on campus.
• All clinical experiences are under the supervision of QCC Respiratory Care faculty or clinical preceptors, and entrance into all clinical agencies will require a standardized school uniform and identification nametag.
• All Respiratory Care students must:
  • Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all program courses designated by RCP.
  • Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 232.
  • Satisfy all course and program requirements, including regulations on conduct, professionalism, and attendance.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory performance in both the clinical and laboratory setting.
• Readmission is not guaranteed and is based on space availability and recommendation by faculty; review the readmission policy outlined in the QCC Handbook.
• Licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is required to work as a Respiratory Therapist within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For additional information on licensure, please visit www.mass.gov/respiratory-care-licensing.
• A Social Security Number is mandatory for all NBRC examinations.
• This program prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities.