BCC Respiratory Care Students All Pass Certification
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — All 12 students enrolled in Berkshire Community College's respiratory care program have passed their credentialing exam by the National Board for Respiratory Care, according to Tom Carey, program director.The NBRC is a health-certifying board created in 1960 to evaluate the professional competence of respiratory therapists. The national pass rate for the credentialing exam is 57 percent, according to the NBRC.
"We attribute the high pass rate to a solid program as well as hardworking, motivated students and dedicated, thorough faculty support," said Carey. "Clinical directors Bruce Cutter and Margaret Goss alongside clinical educator, Sandra Dellart really provided the attention and guidance our students needed to successfully complete their program and pass the exam."
The following students completed the program and graduated their credentialing exams: Mary Brooks, Paul Corio, Charles Coughlin, Jessie Gilligan, Meghan Hamilton, Connie Harris, Nicole Lowery, Arvinder Pabla-Kaur, Lorenzo Perotti, Christine Richardson, Holly Viola and Carol Wilson.
The two-year program was established in 1982 through a grant from the Bay State Skills Corp. At the time, Berkshire County hospitals joined together to develop a program specific to respiratory therapists.
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.
"Several of our students will now go to work at Albany Medical Care in the intensive care and neonatal care departments," Carey said. "Others will go on to work at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, and Berkshire Medical Center and Hillcrest Commons in Pittsfield."
To earn an associate of science degree in the respiratory-care program, students must complete the 65 program and general education credits as well as some additional requirements.
For more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu or call the admissions office at 413-236-1630.
