Respiratory Care Program

The Nassau Community College Respiratory Care Program (#200084) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Located in Building E, The NCC Respiratory Care Program holds the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Information regarding program outcomes can be found at https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Respiratory Care Program at Nassau Community College is designed to train the student for a career as a respiratory therapist. It is a two-year course of study (spanning four semesters and including two summer sessions) leading to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Graduates are eligible for nationally recognized certification and registration through the National Board for Respiratory Care, and for licensure by the New York State Education Department.

To be eligible for admission to the Respiratory Care Program, candidates must meet academic requirements and technical standards, must be legally eligible for employment and licensure in the United States at the time of application, must be of “good moral character” as defined in the New York State Education Law as applicable to the profession of Respiratory Care and must pass a criminal background check.

The Respiratory Care curriculum is a balance of courses in the liberal arts and basic sciences, as well as more specialized technical and clinical courses. Clinical, laboratory and classroom training is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of modern respiratory care techniques. Graduates are trained in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for adult, pediatric and neonatal patients, and upon graduation are prepared to work in all areas of the field, including intensive-critical-emergency care, general respiratory care and rehabilitation and home care for cardiopulmonary patients. Opportunities for professional advancement at the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree level are available.