Mission and Goals

Mission
Consistent with the mission of Texas Southmost College, the faculty of the Respiratory Care Program is committed to serving the educational needs of the citizens of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This mission will be accomplished by providing enthusiastic students a high quality instruction, preparing the graduate with employable skills as an entry level therapist, preparing the graduate to be successful on the National Board for Respiratory Care’s "Entry Level CRT Examination" and the "Written Registry and Clinical Simulation Examination" for advanced-level students. A caring team of educational faculty, clinical instructors and physicians supports the program’s mission with expertise in various aspects of respiratory care and a commitment to education. An extensive array of didactic resources and a wide variety of clinical practicum experiences at various Lower Rio Grande Valley affiliate sites will provide graduates with the skills and versatility needed to function in a variety of health-care facilities. The program will be conscientious about health-care needs and educational requirements.

GOAL 1. Upon completion of the program, all students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information relevant to their role as a respiratory therapist. (Cognitive Domain)

GOAL 2. Upon completion of the program, all students will demonstrate technical proficiency in all competencies necessary to fulfill the role of a respiratory therapist. (Psychomotor Domain)

GOAL 3. Upon completion of the program, all students will demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for a respiratory therapist. (Affective Domain)

GOAL 4. Upon completion of the program, a minimum of 80 perecent of the A.A.S. graduates, will be successful on the National Board for Respiratory Care’s (NBRC) Entry Level Examination. Upon completion of the advanced certificate program, 70 percent of the graduates will be successful on the NBRC’s Written Registry Exam (RRT) and 60 percent will be successful on the NBRC’s Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE).

GOAL 5. Six months post graduation, 90 percent of the graduates will be employed as entry level respiratory therapists.

GOAL 6. Upon graduation and employment, 80 percent of the employers and graduates will report average or better in entry level skills for respiratory therapists.

GOAL 7. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be proficient, competent, and knowledgeable in all related competencies, and develop technical and critical thinking skills as an entry level Respiratory Therapist.