How is the RT program in Mount San Antonio College? I only see other colleges on this board. Thank you!

How is the RT program in Mount San Antonio College? I only see other colleges on this board.
I'm in the process of trying to get into the RT program right now at Mt SAC college in walnut and was wondering why there is no talk about that college on this board. Is it a bad program?
Any input will be appreciated. My first time posting but there's alot of information on this board.
Thank you!

I GRADUATED FROM MT SAC IN 2002. I HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE. ITS REALLY WHAT YOU MAKE IT. I HAVE WORKED WITH CRAFTON HILL STUDENTS IN THE PAST, AND THEY SEEM WELL ROUNDED. THEIR PROGRAM IS MORE INTENSE, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE SWITCHING OVER TO A 18 MO. PROGRAM. HAVING BEEN THROUGH THE MT SAC PROGRAM, I DON'T FEEL ANYONE SHOULD RUSH AND TRY TO FINISH IN 18MO. COMPARED TO 24 MONTHS. TO ME IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH MATERIAL. SINCE I'VE GRADUATED I THINK THEY HAVE ALL NEW INSTRUCTORS @ MT SAC SO I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES A PROGRAM, IT'S THE CLINICAL SITES THEY ATTEND. IT WAS HARD LEARNING FROM THE BOOK, BUT LUCKILY I ATTENDED WHITTIER PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL FOR MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN AS A RESPIRATORY HOSPITAL. I CURRENTLY WORK AT ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN COLTON, CA. IT IS ONE OF CRAFTON'S CLINICAL SITES. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN. IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP. ALEX SABIO

ALEX SABIO in Los Angeles, California said: I GRADUATED FROM MT SAC IN 2002. I HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE. ITS REALLY WHAT YOU MAKE IT. I HAVE WORKED WITH CRAFTON HILL STUDENTS IN THE PAST, AND THEY SEEM WELL ROUNDED. THEIR PROGRAM IS MORE INTENSE, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE SWITCHING OVER TO A 18 MO. PROGRAM. HAVING BEEN THROUGH THE MT SAC PROGRAM, I DON'T FEEL ANYONE SHOULD RUSH AND TRY TO FINISH IN 18MO. COMPARED TO 24 MONTHS. TO ME IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH MATERIAL. SINCE I'VE GRADUATED I THINK THEY HAVE ALL NEW INSTRUCTORS @ MT SAC SO I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES A PROGRAM, IT'S THE CLINICAL SITES THEY ATTEND. IT WAS HARD LEARNING FROM THE BOOK, BUT LUCKILY I ATTENDED WHITTIER PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL FOR MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN AS A RESPIRATORY HOSPITAL. I CURRENTLY WORK AT ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN COLTON, CA. IT IS ONE OF CRAFTON'S CLINICAL SITES. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN. IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP. ALEX SABIO

Hi alex,

I will be attending this fall at mt sac. Was the program very challenging? Is working part-time an option? Do they work with local hospitals to hire new grads? And how difficult was it to find a job as a new grad from the program? Any feedback would be great..my email is vss345@yahoo.com

I GRADUATED 7 YEARS AGO. I DON'T THINK THE INSTRUCTORS WHEN I WENT ARE STILL TEACHING. AS FOR ME IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING, BUT I THINK ANYTHING WILL BE CHALLENGING WHETHER IT BE NURSING, RAD TECH, ETC... I GUESS LOOKING BACK IT WASN'T ALL TO ROUGH. I WORKED FULL TIME AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. MOST THE PEOPLE IN MY PROGRAM WORKED. I GUESS YOU CAN GET BY WORKING PART TIME JUST AS LONG AS YOUR JOB IS FLEXIBLE. DOING CLINICALS AND WORKING CAN BE HARD TO JUGGLE. WHEN I WENT, YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY CLINICALS UNTIL THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR. THEN SUMMERTIME YOU DID 3 8 HOUR SHIFTS. 6AM TO 2 PM TUESDAY WED. THURS. THEN IN FALL YOU DID 2 DAYS A WEEK CLINICAL 6AM TO 2PM ON TOP OF GOING TO SCHOOL 2-3 DAYS A WEEK. IT WAS VERY EASY TO FIND A JOB AFTER GRADUATION. THEY PRETTY MUCH COME TO YOU. I MET MY WIFE THROUGH THE PROGRAM, AND SHE GOT A JOB AT ONE OF HER CLINICAL SITES. SHE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE. THE CLINICAL SITE I WENT TO WHITTIER PRES OFFERED ME A POSITION, HOWEVER AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO WORK THERE, I TURNED IT DOWN. I WORKED AT LOMA LINDA MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS. AND NOW I WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO AT ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. THERE ARE HIRING TRENDS, DEPENDING ON BUDGETS. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR IN 7 YEARS I HAVE SEEN IT WHERE HOSPITALS ARE SATURATED AND STAFFED. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I DO REGISTRY BECAUSE I HOSPITAL IS UNDERSTAFFED. I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE MOST HOSPITALS LOVE TO HIRE NEW GRADS, BECAUSE THEY CAN TRAIN THEM IN THEIR SYSTEM. A LOT OF EXPERIENCED THERAPIST BRING BAD HABITS TO NEW HOSPITALS. I THINK YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS FINDING A JOB AFTER SCHOOL. MY ANSWER, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM UNLESS YOU ARE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH, BUT THEN AGAIN YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB NO MATTER WHAT IT IS YOU GET INTO. HOPE THIS HELPS.

Hey alex,

thanks again...although its quite scary to her the market being saturated..I believe I will enjoy the this field...I enjoy working helping ppl..You are this absolutely correct about the fear of finding a job during this time. In your opinion, what is the most enjoyable aspect of your job as a rrt? And are the well compensated or do you feel that we are underpaid in this field? A friend of mine was offer $15 starting as a new grad? personally I think that's a really low..do you when are there hiring trends

THE KEY IS TO FIND THE RIGHT HOSPITAL WHERE YOU ARE RESPECTED!I WORK AT A FACILITY WHERE DOCTORS, RTS, RNS, AND ALL PROFESSIONS VALUE EACH OTHERS OPINIONS. THERE ARE A LOT , STRESS A LOT, OF JOBS OUT THERE WHERE RT'S ARE DISRESPECTED. THEY MIGHT PAY WELL, AND MAY BE EASY, BUT YOU WILL NOT LAST IN THE FIELD. IT WILL GET OLD. I ENJOY HAVING A LOT OF SAY IN A PATIENTS CARE. I.E. HEY WE NEED TO ESCALATE THERAPY ON THIS PT, OR YEAH THIS PT IS OKAY TO GO HOME. WORK SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A PATIENTS OUTCOME. NOT SAYING RTS AT OTHER FACILITIES DON'T CONTRIBUTE...IT'S JUST DIFFERENT WHEN YOU ARE CALLING THE SHOTS. WORK AT A FACILITY WHERE YOU CAN DO A LOT OF PROCEDURES (WHERE IN MOST PLACES ONLY DOCTORS ARE ALLOWED TO DO, INTUBATIONS, LINE PLACEMENTS, BRONCHS, ETC...). THIS MAY NOT MAKE SENSE NOW. AS FAR AS PAY. YOU CAN CALL ANY HOSPITAL AND TELL THEM YOU ARE A NEW GRAD RESP THERAPIST AND ASK THEM WHAT THEIR STARTING PAY IS? WHAT ARE THEIR INCENTIVE SUCH AS NIGHT DIFF, WEEKEND DIFF, OVERTIME, SIGN ON BONUS. $15 AN HOUR? THIS MUST HAVE BEEN IN ALASKA! SO CAL NEW GRAD WITH BENEFITS AT THE WORST PAYING HOSPITALS ARE PROBABLY $23-24/HR. YOU'LL PROBABLY START ON NIGHTS SO ADD AVG. 15%. YOU PROBABLY WILL START OFF NON-BENEFITTED SO ADD ANOTHER 15-20%. I KNOW A NEW GRAD AT MY HOSPITAL STARTS OUT @ ABOUT $33.50/HR BASE (ABOUT $28 WITH BENEFITS) + NIGHT DIFF OF 2.85/HR AND WE AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING ONE OF THE HIGHER PAYING HOSPITAL. HELL WE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR PAY. THIS IS IN THE INLAND EMPIRE, YOUR POST IS FROM LOS ANGELES. THEY TYPICALLY PAY MORE. HOPE THIS HELPS

hey Alex,

In what ways are rts disrespected at other hospitals?

As for the starting pay, I hear it is very difficult to find a job these days. Hopefully things will change when I am done. Do you know any hospitals that would allow me to shadow an rt for a day?

SOME PLACES, YOU ARE JUST TOLD WHAT TO DO. YOU JUST FOLLOW ORDERS THAT ARE BOGUS. DOCTORS WILL ORDER THERAPY THAT IS NOT INDICATED. YOU TRY TO TALK TO DOCTORS ABOUT CHANGING THERAPY AND THEY WON'T HAVE ANY OF IT. THEY MIGHT EVEN GO OFF ON YOU IF YOU TRY TO SUGGEST ANYTHING DIFFERENT. THERE ARE SOME PLACES WHERE RN'S AND RT'S HAVE A BAD RELATIONSHIP. I KNOW I WAS AT A PLACE WHERE I FELT LIKE THE RN'S GENERALLY FELT LIKE THEY WERE ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE. AS FOR SHADOWING AN RT FOR A DAY, I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH HOSPITAL POLICIES? I CAN SUGGEST, WHEN YOU START YOUR PROGRAM, MOST YOUR CLINICAL INSTRUCTORS ARE STILL IN CURRENT PRACTICE. YOU CAN ASK IF YOU CAN HANG OUT WITH THEM FOR A SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL THEY WORK AT.

hi Alex...i'm thinking of getting into the respiratory program in Crafton Hills College....since you work in Arrowhead Regional, have there been any lay-offs on RRTs ??...my aunt work as an RN at that hospital and they cut her hours....i was wondering if they did the same with your's ?...also, what is the base pay to start for RRT ??..thanks...

ARMC is one of the top clinical sites the RT students look foward to when the go to CHC. There haven't been any lay offs because of the economy. They did tighten up as far as staffing for a few months to avoid layoffs. I think they were much tougher on RNs. For example, Full time RN's have to work 80 hour (compare to our 72 hours as RTs). This is almost impossible when working 12 hour shifts. You have to be creative, like instead of working 7 days every 2 weeks, like we used to do, they had to throw in an 8 hour shift, or stay over 4 hours. There's not much you can do, when you need staff, you need staff. We just hired 8 RTs due to people either moving on to different careers, or finding other jobs. I've been an RT for almost 8 years now, this past year was the hardest because it was so slow. I usually pick up as much OT as I want. But even in this down Economy, there were payperiods where I was able to pick up 2 days extra per week. And Registry was sstill calling. There are always sick calls, people quiting, etc... Base pay @ ARMC is probably one of the highest for new grad $35/hr contract (meaning no benefits, medical and pto). You start off on noc so add another 2.85/hr. and probably the most important thing that other employers can't offer you, the county pension plan. hope this helps.

Alex...thank you so much for replying back...it gives some hope to go forward with the RT program...my goal actually is to work for ARMC...my aunt who is a RN for ARMC had told me that they laid off all the LVNs...so i was assuming they probably laid off some RTs or stop hiring....but at least i know now....i'm trying really hard not to give up on school because of the economy...it's just frustrating...my first choice is to be an RN, but since the waiting list is 2 years, i'm applying for whatever Medical program that will take me right now....so i decided to go for the RT program in CHC...i'm glad to hear that the clinical site is held in AMRC...i just want to get my foot in the door...and later in the future, go back to school for the RN program....again, thank you Alex...

Hey Alex, are you the Alex who goes fishing with Tommy, another RT at ARMC? If so, heres a lil hello! My question to you is.....I just found out that I wont make it into the RT program at Crafton for another 2 years because the program is now becoming overpopulated much like RN Programs around the IE. I dont have the time to wait that long and Im considering going to Concorde or San Joaquin Valley. I dont care about the cost of the programs, Im more concerned as to whether or not students from either of these programs are respected in the hospital and if they actually get jobs at the hospitals. Do you have any info on this subject? I mean, if I were to go to Concorde....graduate, and pass my RRT exams, would I still have a hard time getting hired just because I went to a proprietary school? Any info you or anyone else reading this, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Mike

No, I'm not that Alex. I think certain hospitals might favor certain schools when hiring a new grad. But once you get in, people don't care where you went to school, just as long as you do a good job. I think where I work they favored CHC students, however, I have seen them hire SJVC and Concord new grads. I don't know if I would go to Concord, I've heard people who graduate from there feel like they got ripped off. I'm not sure, but I think you have to pay extra to bcome Registered. The NBRC is leaning towards having everyone Registered compared to having a CRT. Hope this helps...

Mike in Riverside, California said: Hey Alex, are you the Alex who goes fishing with Tommy, another RT at ARMC? If so, heres a lil hello! My question to you is.....I just found out that I wont make it into the RT program at Crafton for another 2 years because the program is now becoming overpopulated much like RN Programs around the IE. I dont have the time to wait that long and Im considering going to Concorde or San Joaquin Valley. I dont care about the cost of the programs, Im more concerned as to whether or not students from either of these programs are respected in the hospital and if they actually get jobs at the hospitals. Do you have any info on this subject? I mean, if I were to go to Concorde....graduate, and pass my RRT exams, would I still have a hard time getting hired just because I went to a proprietary school? Any info you or anyone else reading this, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Mike

I actually went to school with Alex and graduated from Mt Sac in 2002. I've worked and been the program director at Concorde (not the SB one), work at SJVC and have worked at Crafton. All these schools have the same purpose and result in a license to practice respiratory therapy. No employer is going to look at the school you graduated from and use it as a basis of judgement. Everything will be based on your attributes as a good heathcare provider. The goal for you is to be the best in your class at which ever school you graduate from. Right now people in all health care fields are having difficulty finding jobs; it doesnt matter what school you go too and BTW all schools are now mandated to be advanced level programs. I'd recomend SJVC being that their clinical sites are better than Concorde's; but being employed their I must tell you we are extremely competitive and have high expectations of our students.

for those that attended mt sac in the past, or currently attending, which hospitals do you guys do your clinicals? and how was your experience?

Anyone Graduated from Crafton hills college? How's the RT Program at CHC? I just got accepted at CHC. Any feedback much appreciated. Anyone who attended at CHC, please email me with their feedback at nasim2010@yahoo.com. Thanks

Alex Sabio in Fontana, California said: No, I'm not that Alex. I think certain hospitals might favor certain schools when hiring a new grad. But once you get in, people don't care where you went to school, just as long as you do a good job. I think where I work they favored CHC students, however, I have seen them hire SJVC and Concord new grads. I don't know if I would go to Concord, I've heard people who graduate from there feel like they got ripped off. I'm not sure, but I think you have to pay extra to bcome Registered. The NBRC is leaning towards having everyone Registered compared to having a CRT. Hope this helps...

Hi Alex. Are you still working at Arrowhead? Do you mind if I ask you a few questions regarding Respiratory Therapy? I have to write an essay and one of our tasks is to interview a Respiratory Therapist. I went on our tour with my class (Crafton) at Arrowhead this afternoon. It was good. I hope to work there someday. Sandy

Sure no problem. I work nights, so I probably won't see you

Alex in Fontana, California said: Sure no problem. I work nights, so I probably won't see you

Hi Alex. Thank you for replying back. We don't have to meet in person. Since you work at nights, we can communicate thru email. Is that ok? I only have 4 questions to ask. Here's my email: sdominguez75@sbcglobal.net

ALEX SABIO in Los Angeles, California said: I GRADUATED FROM MT SAC IN 2002. I HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE. ITS REALLY WHAT YOU MAKE IT. I HAVE WORKED WITH CRAFTON HILL STUDENTS IN THE PAST, AND THEY SEEM WELL ROUNDED. THEIR PROGRAM IS MORE INTENSE, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE SWITCHING OVER TO A 18 MO. PROGRAM. HAVING BEEN THROUGH THE MT SAC PROGRAM, I DON'T FEEL ANYONE SHOULD RUSH AND TRY TO FINISH IN 18MO. COMPARED TO 24 MONTHS. TO ME IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH MATERIAL. SINCE I'VE GRADUATED I THINK THEY HAVE ALL NEW INSTRUCTORS @ MT SAC SO I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES A PROGRAM, IT'S THE CLINICAL SITES THEY ATTEND. IT WAS HARD LEARNING FROM THE BOOK, BUT LUCKILY I ATTENDED WHITTIER PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL FOR MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN AS A RESPIRATORY HOSPITAL. I CURRENTLY WORK AT ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN COLTON, CA. IT IS ONE OF CRAFTON'S CLINICAL SITES. GREAT PLACE TO LEARN. IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP. ALEX SABIO

Alex,
I finished all the prereqs and im about to apply at mtsac. is the job market saturated?
what are the chances of getting picked up at clinical sites in today's job market?
whats starting pay for new grad hires these days? Thanks.