(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.) This program is based at the San Angelo Campus.
Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) assist in the diagnoses 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 Entry Level and Advanced Level Examination. Individuals who pass this examination are awarded the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Once the CRT credential is earned, graduates may take the NBRC Written Registry and Clinical Simulation exams. Candidates who pass these exams earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Application Process
Interested individuals should attend a Health Professions Orientation as the first step in the application process. The initial meeting 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.
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 (lab) and Anatomy and Physiology II (lab) and MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 ). If enrolled in these courses in summer, applicant must furnish proof of enrollment.
- Applicant must attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation.
- A physical examination (must be completed after acceptance into program and prior to first day of class).
- Applicant must provide proof of immunizations required by the Texas Health Department, Rule 97.64. Additional immunizations may be required by some clinical facilities.
- 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 along with an official transcript indicating high school graduation or proof of GED and an official transcript from each college/university attended (including Howard College, if attending, by the end of the first summer session).
- Results of HOBET test.
Preparation for Admission
BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101 , BIOL 2402 or BIOL 2302 & BIOL 2102 , and MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 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.
Progress Standards
Once accepted into the program, students must complete all required courses within three years. In order to progress from one term to another, students must earn a letter grade of “C” or better in all required courses. Students who do not make this progress may reapply for the next cycle of the program but will be considered as new applicants and will be subject to the current curriculum and application process. Students who do not successfully complete a course must repeat that course. In addition, for any co-requisite classes associated with that class, the student must take the final examination and pass with a 75 or higher in order to not have to repeat the co-requisite.
If a 75 is not obtained, the student will be required to audit the co-requisite class to ensure he/she maintains knowledge and skills necessary for future success. Students may not attempt the program more than twice.
THE PRECEDING CRITERIA DO NOT ACT AS SUBSTITUTE TO ANY HOWARD COLLEGE ADMISSION POLICY-PROGRESS STANDARDS
Expense in Addition to Tuition, Texts, and Fees/Uniforms and Supplies
Students must purchase appropriate uniforms necessary for participation in clinical activities. Uniform consists of approved scrubs, lab coat, shoes, watch with a second hand, and a stethoscope. Cost of uniforms varies dependent upon style, size, and quality of the items. Additionally, students purchase an equipment kit in the first semester of the program. This kit contains equipment used over the course of the program. Cost of the laboratory kit is currently $80 and is subject to change.
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.
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.
Out of Town Travel for Clinical Activities
As the San Angelo population does not expose students to consistent cases of patients from special populations (neonates, pediatrics, etc.), clinical activities that concern these patients are conducted out of town. This clinical takes place in the final semester of the program. Students are expected to pay about $400 per student (subject to change).
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