This program is based in San Angelo.
Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program and a 10 panel drug screening is required prior to clinical and periodically throughout the program.
Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and lungs as well as provide respiratory support for patients suffering from many other types of disease. Their practice includes patients from all age groups. They may work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, or the patient’s home. They are becoming increasingly involved in specialty areas such as air and ground ambulance, patient education, rehabilitation, and intensive care of infants and children. Howard College offers an Associate of Applied Science program in Respiratory Care. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice Exam (TMCE). This exam is nationally recognized and licensure in all states is based on NBRC certification (pending Alaska). CRT or RRT certification will be determined by scores received on this exam. Eligibility to take the Clinical Simulations Exam will be based on achievement of RRT level (advanced) on the TMCE. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). The program number is 200442. The student outcomes for this program can be found here. 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.
Application Process
Interested individuals should attend a Health Professions Orientation as the first step in the application process. This initial step will determine applicant options and set a time line for completing acceptance requirements. The program begins each fall with class selection made by July 15. All applicants must have fulfilled admissions criteria by the class selection date. Applicants need to read the Health Professions booklet for further info regarding physical and immunications that are required prior to start of program.
Admission Criteria
- College entrance exam passing test scores are required in order to gain entrance into academic courses.
- Successfully completed the required support courses (Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture) , Anatomy and Physiology I (lab) and Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture) , Anatomy and Physiology II (lab) and MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 ).
- Applicant must attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation online.
- Successful clearance of criminal background investigation.
- An application to the Respiratory Care program must be submitted to the Howard College Health Professions Division by June 1.
- TEAS test must be taken and results submitted.
Preparation for Admission
BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101 , BIOL 2402 or BIOL 2302 & BIOL 2102 , and MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 are Prerequisites to this program. See the catalog for guidelines regarding these courses. Students may also take any non-RSPT course prior to acceptance to the program.
Clinical
Clinical experiences provide detailed education, training, and work-based experience in direct patient/client care at a clinical site. All clinical experiences are unpaid external learning experiences that are required for program completion. Students may not be substituted for staff personnel while performing clinical program requirements. Students and faculty provided by Howard College are not and will not be acting as servant agents or employees of a medical facility during program clinical rotation. Students will be required to attend clinical rotations as part of the curriculum. These are done primarily in the hospital setting.
Health Insurance
Students enrolled in the Respiratory Care Program are required to purchase health insurance prior to the beginning of clinical experiences and to maintain such insurance for the duration of their enrollment.
