Program Goal and Outcomes - (HB74)

Program Mission

The Respiratory Care Program at Naugatuck Valley Community College is designed to prepare students to enter the field of Respiratory Care with the skills necessary to practice as proficient and competent Respiratory Therapists. Our program is designed to meet the evolving health care needs of our diverse community and our faculty are committed to a student-centered approach to teaching and learning that focuses on the development of evidence-based, ethical, and collaborative practice among our students and graduates.

Program Goal and Outcomes

The goal of the Respiratory Care program is 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). Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will: 

1. Assist physicians/licensed independent practitioners in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients affected by cardiopulmonary disorders.
2. Collect and evaluate clinical information relevant to their role as a respiratory therapist.
3. Participate in the inter-disciplinary plan of care.
4. Provide patient education concerning health management and prevention of respiratory disease.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in all skills and competencies required of a respiratory therapist as described by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
6. Promote evidence-based practice by using established clinical practice guidelines and evaluating published research for its relevance to patient care.
7. Collaborate and communicate effectively with all members of the health care team to enhance patient care.
8. Adhere to AARC statement of ethics and professional conduct.
9. Apply principles and practices of patient safety and process improvement in all aspects of respiratory care.

Clinical experiences are provided at the following facilities:

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Danbury Hospital - Western Connecticut Health Network
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital - A Hartford HealthCare Partner

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
Hospital for Special Care
Trinity Health of New England - St. Mary’s Hospital
Waterbury Pulmonary Associates
Waterbury Hospital
Yale-New Haven Health- Bridgeport Hospital
Yale-New Haven Health -Yale New Haven Hospital