San Angelo - Respiratory Care
We will be having Informational Sessions on Feb 4th, March 6th and April 16t at 5:30 at St. John’s. Park in front and we will come get you in the front lobby. Please email lkirgis@howardcollege.edu to let us know you are coming and for any questions!
Click the link below if you are interested in a career in Respiratory Therapy!
For more information email: lkirgis@howardcollege.edu.
https://be-an-rt.org/why-be-an-rt/
Applications open April 1st. If you have any questions about the program please contact us using the information below on the “Contact Us” tab.
Respiratory Care is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Howard College Respiratory Care – Advanced Level AAS program (200442), located in San Angelo is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (www.coarc.com). Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice Examination. Upon passing this exam, graduates are then eligible to take the Advanced Practice Clinical Simulations. The CRT or RRT credential is typically used as criteria for obtaining a state license to practice.
Resources
(Click Health Professions to do Background check & Drug Screen)
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
Respiratory therapists evaluate and care for patients with heart and lung problems, provide oxygen therapy, pulmonary medications, chest physiotherapy and a variety of therapies in the intensive care units. Respiratory therapists take care of all age groups from the neonate to the geriatric patient.
Our program is a two year (5 semester) program that results in an AAS degree. Upon completion of the program, you are eligible to take a national credentialing exam. This exam has two levels: Level 1 (or the lower cut score) qualifies you to be a Certified Respiratory Therapist and the higher lever allows you to take the Clinical Simulations Exam, which upon passing, will qualify you to be a Registered Respiratory Therapist. You would then have to become licensed in the state in which you would like to work.
Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
This program is based in San Angelo.
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
The purpose of the Respiratory Care Program at Howard College is to provide for the education of students in respiratory therapy and provide learning opportunities that are innovative and educationally sound. We serve a 13 county area ranging from Lamesa to Junction. The program and the college are committed to personal development of each student in the field of respiratory therapy so that he or she will be able to serve the community as a competent staff respiratory therapist.
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).
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
All admission requirements must be completed by June 5. Detailed information about all Health Professions programs and requirements may be found in the Health Professions Booklet.
Pre-application Requirements (Before June 5):
- Passing test scores from an approved college assessment exam are required to gain entrance into academic courses. If needed, HC administers the TSI exam. The Testing Schedule is posted on the campus website or may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center on each campus.
- Before applying to the Respiratory Care Program, the applicant must successfully complete the required prerequisite courses with a final grade of “C” or above.
- BIOL 2101/2301 – Anatomy & Physiology I (Lecture & Lab)
- BIOL 2102/2302 – Anatomy & Physiology II (Lecture & Lab)
- MATH 1314 – College Algebra OR MATH 1332 – Contemporary Mathematics OR MATH 1342– Elementary Statistical Methods
- Students seeking admission to the Respiratory Care program must take the Test of Essential Skills for Allied Health (TEAS AH). The student will be responsible for registering and paying for the exam through the ATI website (atitesting.com). The Testing Schedule is on the Howard College website. Please contact the Testing Coordinator at (325) 481-8300 ext. 3405 for more information. The TEAS AH test can be taken once every 30 days with a maximum number of three (3) times per admission cycle (September 1 – May 31).
- Successful completion of a criminal background check.
Application Requirements June 5.
- Submit the Health Professions Application for the desired program online, along with transcripts from each college/university attended. Applications will be accepted starting April 1st with the final due date being June 5th.
Once Selected
- Successfully take and pass the approved Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers class.
- Pass a ten-panel drug test (prior to beginning clinical rotations—due date provided).
- Provide documented proof of health insurance.
- Pass a physical exam (form to be completed will be provided).
- Provide documentation of having taken the flu vaccine and completed a TB skin test (due date to be provided by program chair).
- Provide proof of immunizations – Immunizations required: Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap.
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
To see our outcomes please click on this link:
https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/.
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.
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
These expenses in addition to tuition and fees are approximate only and are subject to change.
Cost information, Tuition, and Fees for each semester can be found in the Howard College Catalog.
Fees Associated with Admission:
- Immunizations – Variable
- Background Check –Variable
- TEAS AH ($80-$100)
In addition to tuition/fees assessed from the college, the following approximate additional fees are the responsibility of the student and are subject to change:
- Basic Life Support Class for Health Care Providers (CPR) – $56 depending on where you take it.
- Physical Exam – Variable depending on health insurance
- 10-Panel Drug Test through Castle Branch –Variable
- Health Insurance – Variable
- TB Test (PPD) – Variable depending on health insurance
- Flu Shot –Variable
- Clinical Travel Expenses – Variable
Uniforms:
- Scrubs – red top / black pants – $60 each set (each student will need at least 2 sets of scrubs) (variable)
- Lab coats are optional – $40 (variable)
- Program Patch – $6
Textbooks: (prices are variable)
- Fall Semester – $463
- Spring Semester – $82
- Summer Semester – No Additional
- Fall Semester (second year) – $375
- Spring Semester (second year) – No Additional
Licensing Expenses during Final Semester:
- Texas Medical Board Application and Certification Fee – $80
- Fingerprinting – $40
http://www.coarc.com – Program number 200442
For more information on the program, please contact:
Lauri Kirgis, RRT, B.A.T.
Respiratory Care Program Chair
(325) 481-8371, ext. 3431
lkirgis@howardcollege.edu
Kara Samaniego, BSRT, RRT
Director of Clinical Education
(325) 481-8371, ext. 3414
ksamaniego@howardcollege.edu
Kelli Rowe
Health Professions Assistant
(325) 481-8300 ext 3435
krowe@howardcollege.edu