Berkshire Community College

The Addiction Recovery Assistant (ARA) certificate prepares Human Service or other helping professionals for entry-level work in the substance use field. Graduates of this program will be trained to offer the following entry-level supervised sub- stance use services: Individual and group counseling; assessment; case planning; client services support; documentation; and community service outreach and referrals for individuals and families.

The Human Services certificate program teaches basic generalist human services skills and ethics, and also provides a foundation in the social services. This certificate will increase a student’s opportunities for employment and advancement in human services work. The courses required for the certificate program emphasize human service methods and community resources. Students are able to practice group work in a controlled classroom environment and have real world experience in the field work practicum and seminar courses. The practicum is supervised and students have the opportunity to interact with clients in particular agencies. Working with the program faculty, students are matched to agencies based on their skills and interests.

The A.S. in Early Childhood Education is a “career degree” meeting the needs of teachers in the field seeking an associate degree as a terminal degree. This option, with more required courses directly relevant to the care and teaching of young children and relating to working with families, provides training for those early childhood educators who choose to remain in the field at an associate degree level. Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses align with MADOEEC and NAEYC standards

After completion of the Introductory Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent, students may begin work on this pathway. This certificate, together with nine months of additional experience in the field, prepares people to pursue lead teacher qualification through the MADOEEC. The required ECE courses will be offered in the evening in rotation.

The Introductory Early Childhood Education certificate is the first pathway leading to greater qualifications for work with young children. With the experience provided in the practicum (ECE-123), those completing this certificate will be ready to apply for teacher qualification through the MADOEEC. The required ECE courses will be offered in the evening in rotation.

The Environmental Science degree program emphasizes biodiversity studies coupled with natural resource management for sustainable ecosystems. Multidisciplinary courses are offered mainly in the Ralph Hoffmann Environmental Science and Sustainable Energy Center while students develop hands-on field skills in forests, fields, lakes, streams and marshes both on campus and at nearby locations.

The program fosters community connections with conservation agencies, local schools and resource-related industries through service-learning, directed and independent studies, and frequent field trips.

Students should consult with an Environmental Science faculty member before selecting program electives to meet career goals. Students should also consult an advisor about career opportunities and transfer agreements and requirements of different schools.

The Fire Science program focuses on fire prevention and fire protection principles and techniques. Students also take general education courses, including human behavior and written and oral communication. All FIS-designated coursework is aligned with FESHE Standards; the program covers material on the most recent developments in the field and provides excellent preparation for those who work in occupations such as fire protection or insurance underwriting.

The course sequence and content provides the quantitative and technical skills required for entry-level positions in manufacturing, and is also an option for individuals currently working in the field and wishing to update their skills to current technologies. Though most of the curriculum will be taught on campus, the hands-on technical courses will be offered at state-of-the-art industrial laboratories at regional vocational schools and possibly local manufacturing facilities.

The Business Systems option in the Computer Information Systems degree program provides students with the skills and knowledge to transfer to a baccalaureate institution for further study, or to pursue a career in a business environment, usually as an applications programmer. A solid background in structured programming in two high-level computer languages, systems application, analysis and design are emphasized, and course work in business is required.

The Technical Option of the Computer Information Systems Programming certificate emphasizes C++ and web programming languages, as well as some general education courses. Graduates of this program may be employed as programmers using one of the following computer languages: C++, HTML/XTML, or JAVA if selected as a professional elective. Graduates will also have 25 to 28 credits toward the Computer Information Systems—Computer Science Option A.S. Degree or the Computer Information Systems—Networking Option A.S. Degree.

The Networking option of the Computer Information Systems degree program gives the student a technical understanding of computer systems and computer networking using the CISCO® standard. The curriculum provides students with extensive course work in computer science and networking. This program is designed for students planning either to enter the workforce or to transfer to a baccalaureate institution for further study. To complete most computer assignments, students will need to use either BCC’s computer laboratory or an off-campus com- puter. After completion of the program, students may become CISCO® Certified. A related major at the baccalaureate level is computer science.

The Networking Certificate Option of the Computer Information Systems program of study is designed to provide a foundation set of skills to begin a successful career in computer networking. The coursework will introduce the student to skills used throughout the Information Technology (IT) field, but will culminate with obtaining competencies oriented to becoming an entry-level technician. This program can lead to industry certification (CCENT) and is the gateway to achieve higher level computer networking certifications or academic degrees.

The Culinary Arts one-year, 28-credit certificate program pre- pares students for responsible positions in food production. In the college’s cooking laboratory, students learn food preparation, plate presentation, and buffet and banquet techniques for small and large groups. Sanitation, nutrition, baking principles, food service and controls used in managing a professional kitchen are studied. Students also apply their skills with a supervised work experience; this normally takes place during the summer after the course work is completed. Career paths and a study of the hospitality industry are also covered.

Dental assistants are in great demand. It is a career with security, variety, prestige and respect. Employment is expected to grow 39 percent from 2008 to 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An aging population keeping their natural teeth and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations create this increased demand for dental services. Job opportunities can be found in private and group practices, clinics within local hospitals, in the armed services, or as an instructor in a dental assistant program. Dental assistants are members of the dental care team who perform a wide variety of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills.

Under the supervision of a dentist, the dental assistant prepares all instruments, materials and equipment used in dental procedures, takes dental radiographs (x-rays), assists the dentist in all procedures, provides oral care instruction to patients and per- forms office administration tasks. Most dental assistants work in private general dental practices or dental specialty offices. Employment opportunities also exist in insurance companies and public health or hospital-based clinics.hea

The Health Information Management Certificate is designed for students with a background in medical coding that look toward expanding their knowledge and skill set to qualify for higher level positions in the Health Information Management field. This program will prepare students to sit for the CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) examination. In addition to serving as a valuable career-building credential, this program also allows for student continuation in the Health Information Management option of BCC’s Business Careers associate degree program.

The Medical Coding Technical Certificate at BCC provides students with the foundational knowledge and technical skills needed to work as an entry-level medical coder in a medical care facility. Coursework in the program is designed to prepare students to sit for the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) examination.

Graduates of this program should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human body;
Show proficiency in the application of medical terminology;
Demonstrate proficiency in use of ICD and CPT coding systems;
Demonstrate strong computer skills; and
Be eligible to take the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) credentialing exam which will qualify a student for entry level coding positions in health care facilities and/or provider clinics and offices.

Nursing combines science and the art of working with people. Nurses are integrally involved in the lives of their clients, helping them to maximize their health and cope with illness. Nurses perform multiple roles in the care of their clients. Not only do they provide hands-on care, they also act as educators, counselors, coordinators and conciliators. Using scientific knowledge and technical skills, nurses continually assess the physical, emotional and social status of their clients. Nurses work with clients and their families to devise plans of care for each situation. As they continually monitor client progress, they make important decisions about appropriate methods to deal with problems.

Nursing offers diversity in roles and settings, a wide range of career paths, employment opportunities and competitive salaries. People are attracted to nursing by the focus on caring, flexibility of working schedules and challenges to excel within the profession. RNs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home care, clinics, health centers, physicians’ offices and the military. BCC’s nursing program is a sequence of lecture, skills, laboratory and clinical courses. Graduates are eligible to take the licensing examination to become registered nurses (RNs).

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.

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 (for premature infants), outpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care and diagnostic laboratories.

Surgical technologists work in the sterile environment with surgeons, anesthesia personnel and nurses in delivering surgical patient care. Scrub surgical technologists prepare the surgical environment by selecting and assembling sterile supplies and equipment, preparing and maintaining the sterile field through- out surgery, and anticipating the needs of the surgical team by passing instruments and sterile items in an efficient manner. Surgical technologists are employed in hospital-based operating room settings, outpatient surgical centers, maternity units, emergency rooms, central sterile reprocessing units and in the medical sales field.

McCann’s program includes components of the basic sciences, operating room practices and procedures, safe patient care, operating room technique, surgical procedures and clinical practice. This will be accomplished by preparing competent graduates in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains of learning and meeting or exceeding the criteria set forth in the current Standards and Guidelines for an accredited program in surgical technology.