SAC Partners with SAISD to Start Nursing and Health Care Early College School

San Antonio College has entered into a new partnership with the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) to create the Healthcare Pathways Technology Early College High School, or H-TECH, an early college high school that will prepare students with the skills, credentials and an industry-specific associate degree necessary for high-demand careers in nursing and healthcare. H-TECH, which will be located on the Fox Tech High School campus, will debut in the 2020-2021 school year.

H-TECH will be the second Pathways in Technology Early College High School in San Antonio (P-TECH). Under the P-TECH model, schools partner with Texas institutions of higher education and regional businesses and industries, giving students post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities.

Within four to six years (depending on the track chosen), H-TECH students will be able to earn their high school diploma as well as an associate of science and/or certification in patient care technician or medical billing and coding. Students will also complete work-based training through internships, apprenticeships or other job-training programs.

In the first four years of the program, students will split their time between Fox Tech and SAC. The last one to two years of the program will be spent exclusively on the SAC campus.

“San Antonio College is excited to enter into a new partnership with SAISD to create a P-TECH High School providing students college courses to forge much needed career paths in the nursing and allied health fields,” said Dr. Robert Vela, president of SAC. “This is an extension of our robust relationship with SAISD helping students achieve associate degrees while attending high school through programs at Travis Early College High School, CAST Tech at Fox Tech High School, and CAST Med on the southside.”

Through SAC, H-TECH students will have the opportunity to earn an associate of science. Upon successful completion of the H-TECH program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) authorized by and administered through the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon passing the exam, the graduate will be a registered nurse in the State of Texas and ready to begin a career in the nursing profession.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn from industry partners at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and University Health System, gain real-world experience through mentorships, job shadowing, internships, professional skills development and field experiences. Students who complete the program will have priority in interviewing with participating employers.

Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2020 for incoming 9th-grade students throughout Bexar County and surrounding areas for the 2020-2021 school year. It will ultimately include 9-12th graders, with a new grade being phased in each year.

–SAC–