Respiratory Therapy |
Who Are Respiratory Therapists?Is This Program in My Area?Respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians are an integral part of the health care field. Respiratory therapist’s primary responsibilities are the evaluation, diagnostic assessment, treatment and care for patients with breathing problems or other types of cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapy specialists follow established and specific respiratory care procedures and work under the direction of a physician. What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Respiratory therapists consult with doctors and other health care professionals to develop plans for the care of all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased or for patients on life support in intensive-care units of hospitals. Respiratory therapists also care for patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, and give emergency care heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock patients. Respiratory Therapist Training Formal training is required for anyone pursing a career in respiratory therapy. Training for respiratory care certification can be attained at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools and vocational-technical institutes offering respiratory care programs. Curriculum taught by respiratory therapy schools includes human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, and mathematics. Other courses covered for respiratory care certification cover respiratory care procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment methods, CPR, outpatient hospital care and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Respiratory Therapists Certification Respiratory therapists must be licensed in respiratory care certification. A respiratory therapy college can prepare candidates for respiratory care certification exam by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The board offers the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and respiratory protection program credential to those who graduate from accredited entry-level or advanced respiratory care programs. Respiratory Therapist Job Prospects Respiratory therapists generally work at hospitals in emergency rooms, respiratory care wards, and anesthesiology or in patient wards. Some work for home health care services and must travel frequently to patients’ homes. Other respiratory therapists practice in medical clinics, doctor’s offices, home medical equipment rental firms and nursing care facilities, and home health care services. Respiratory Therapy Job Security and Salary Demand for respiratory therapy is steadily growing. The Bureau of Labor expects respiratory therapy technology jobs to increase 19 percent over the next eight years. This makes respiratory therapy technology one of the fastest growing occupations over the projection period. Schools offering respiratory protection programs are trying to graduate enough students to meet the demand. According to the Bureau of Labor, medical facilities are offering wages ranging from $35,000 to $64,000 for those who complete respiratory therapy college. Respiratory therapists have several career advancement opportunities including supervisory, management, marketing, sales or an advanced medical practitioner. |