RESPIRATORY CARE
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
The College offers a cooperative program with the area hospitals designed to provide understanding, proficiency, and skill in respiratory care. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is granted the Associate in Applied Science Degree, which qualifies the graduate to take the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Exam and become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and after passing the Clinical Simulation Exam become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). View job opportunities and salary information at https://www.angelina.edu/radiologic-technology/
The program curriculum balances general education and technical courses with supervised clinicals at area hospitals. The curriculum provides the student with educational development and occupational competence during the two-year program. The student must achieve a "C" in all Respiratory Care courses and an overall "C" average in all coursework or be dropped from the program.
Respiratory Care Philosophy
The Respiratory Care program functions within the parameters established by the Mission and Philosophy of Angelina College. Our mission is to provide quality education and services to enable students to develop their intellectual potential, achieve career proficiency, attain physical well-being, and enrich their social, cultural, and civic experiences.
Just as the College is committed to its mission through its philosophy, the Respiratory Care program embodies its significant tenets. We will instill the principles of scholarship and teach good citizenship. Through our Respiratory Care Program, we are committed to helping many diverse individuals prepare and maintain themselves for successful employment and living in a rapidly changing and highly technological world. The faculty is committed to diversified instruction that considers each individual's dignity and worth and encourages students to be creative and open-minded in their thinking and behavior. The Respiratory Care program is also committed to serving the general and dynamic needs of the changing medical community. Involvement and interaction between the College and the community are essential to ensure the relevance and vitality of the Respiratory Care program.
Respiratory Care is an interpersonal process that is a direct and indirect service to people. The respiratory care practitioner may perform activities ranging from assisting the physician to performing many therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.
As a respiratory care student, you should approach respiratory care education as a continuous process that leads to a change in behavior. A dedicated team of experienced faculty, respiratory therapists, and physicians fosters a creative and innovative approach to respiratory care by establishing an atmosphere conducive to learning. The faculty is committed to helping students identify, establish, and reach educational and personal goals in a climate of mutual acceptance and respect for individual differences. The student is encouraged to question, discuss, and seek more knowledge.
The program is designed to be skills-oriented and emphasizes direct patient contact. After completing the program, the graduate is eligible for the NBRC Therapist Multi Choice exam and is capable of adjusting techniques to allow for differences in patient condition and equipment, thus making them an attractive employment prospect for the East Texas area.
Program Goal
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).
Admissions Criteria – Respiratory Care Program
Gain admission to the college.
Attend a Respiratory Care Information Session is mandatory for admission to the Respiratory Care program where the student will get an application packet. The dates and times are posted on the AC webpage.
Submit the completed application packet by designated date.
Complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of “C” or better by designated date:
BIOL 2401 – Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 2402 – Anatomy and Physiology II
ENGL 1301 – English Composition
MATH 1314 – College Algebra
PSYC 2301 – General Psychology
RSPT 1201 – Intro to Respiratory Care
STSU 0300 – Student Success
Note: Prerequisite courses may be taken only twice for selection consideration. If a prerequisite course is taken more than twice, only the second grade will be calculated in the cumulative GPA for prerequisite courses. This second grade must be at least a “C.”
Complete required health forms and submit them with complete immunization records by July 1 for August consideration. A background check, random drug screening, and vaccines must be complete before the first week of clinical. A random drug screening will be required after “conditional” acceptance into the program. All expenses related to the health requirements, background check drug screenings, and the required online clinical documentation submissions are the student’s responsibility. “Conditional” acceptance into the Respiratory Care program is limited; applicants are ranked and selected based partially on the following criteria:
a. Cumulative GPA in RSPT 1201, MATH 1314, PSYC 2301, ENGL 1301, BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402
b. Completion of all requirements by posted deadlines.
c. The student must be physically able to do the work of a Respiratory Therapist “See RC Handbook.”
d. Selection of the authorized students for “conditional” acceptance (approx. 12) is based on a point system of GPA from the prerequisite courses. Past certification in healthcare fields or completed college degrees could be considered. A final interview with Respiratory Care Faculty members is conducted with students who have completed all the admission requirements for the program.
Provide proof of current 2-year American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR card.
Applicants are notified of “conditional” acceptance decisions via Angelina College student email.
Students granted “conditional” entry into the program must notify the Respiratory Care Program via email that they accept or do not accept entry into the program.
A random drug screening and background check must be done at the student’s expense and be negative to receive “full” acceptance into the Respiratory Care Program after fall entry.
Students are allowed one entry and one re-entry into the Respiratory Care Program.
Contact the Respiratory Care office at (936) 633-5267 for questions or comments.
State Licensing Requirements
The State of Texas requires the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) certification and/or registry through the Texas Medical Board.
The Respiratory Care Program conforms to state requirements by being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The graduate must apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple Choice Examination, write and pass the examination. The graduate should authorize the NBRC to forward the information to the Texas Medical Board program.
The graduate must also complete an application to the TMB-RCP program, pay applicable fees, and furnish other documentation as required by the Texas Medical Board program. Once TMB-RCP has received the status report indicating that the student has passed and is in good standing from the NBRC, they will issue a Respiratory Care Practitioner Certificate (RCP), allowing them to work as a respiratory care practitioner in the state of Texas.
Students should be advised that any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor charge (other than a minor traffic violation/DUI is not a minor traffic violation) can make them ineligible for certification by the NBRC and subsequently by the State of Texas. The NBRC is the only agency that can address whether they will or will not allow an individual with a criminal record to write the examination. If in doubt, students should investigate the possibilities with the TMB by calling (512) 305-7030.