PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Respiratory Care program at Berkshire Community College (BCC), which offers an associate in science degree to students who complete the program, has seen growth over the past few years.

 

So much so that, with more than 70 applications received, the enrollment cap has now been increased to meet demand. 

 

BCC Dean of Nursing, Health & Wellness Lori Moon said the Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) Pipeline has been a contributor to the increase in interest for the program. The BHS Respiratory Talent Pathway, part of the pipeline program, covers the cost of all training while also offering students full-time pay with benefits while they are completing their training. The program is designed to create a direct career path from education and training to full-time employment at BHS. 

 

"Respiratory therapists were a critical part of the health care team during Covid and did not get the recognition they deserved," Moon said. "We are thrilled that more students are interested in this occupation, and we plan to continue to provide this excellent program for many more years." 

 

Moon said that in addition to the BHS Pipeline's positive impact on the Respiratory Care program, BCC faculty in the department have been spreading the word to students who have an interest in healthcare but may be unaware of what a respiratory therapist does.  

 

Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a  range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including asthma and heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs. Under a physician's supervision, respiratory care practitioners plan and assist with patient care and serve as a resource for professionals in other health care fields. They work in various settings, including hospital acute care and intensive care units, hospital neonatal units, outpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care settings and diagnostic laboratories. 

 

Margaret Goss, Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy, agreed that the BHS Respiratory Talent Pathway program has been a "tremendous contributing factor" to the success of the BCC program, noting that BHS's internal promotion and support of the program has brought BCC some excellent candidates.  

 

Goss added that the BCC program has recently secured eight new clinical sites, which will include mentors who provide additional clinical experiences to further enhance student training. 

 

"While respiratory therapists were not recognized in the same manner as other disciplines during the pandemic, Covid-19 did highlight the expertise they bring to the patient's bedside every day," Goss said. "Respiratory therapists are now recognized as specialized healthcare practitioners who are trained to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease. We are very excited that respiratory therapists are in high demand, and that BCC will continue to fulfill such a critical need for our community."