Respiratory therapy is a specialized allied health field focused on helping patients who have trouble breathing.
How do I become a respiratory therapist?
While an associate’s degree is the minimum education required, earning a bachelor’s or even master’s degree may be wise. Changes in the roles and responsibilities of respiratory therapists make those advanced degrees highly desirable.
You may find degrees for respiratory therapy at community colleges, technical schools, and universities. The Armed Forces also offer a career path to respiratory therapy. When choosing a program, carefully consider choosing one accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. Completing an accredited program may be required for licensure.
While in school, you will take classes like human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and math. You will also learn diagnostic tests and procedures, CPR, and patient assessment. Additionally, supervised clinical experience treating patients rounds out your education.
Upon program completion, you will want to become certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Every state requires certification except for Alaska-and even there it is recommended. Be sure to check out your state’s requirements. Two levels of certification are available: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists take care of people who having trouble breathing-from infants with RSV to elderly patients with lung disease. Additionally, respiratory therapists may provide emergency care to patients after situations like a heart attack or drowning.
A day in the life of a respiratory therapist may include examining patients, consulting with doctors on treatment plans, performing diagnostic tests, treat patients, and teach them about medications and respiratory equipment.
Respiratory therapists work with patients during difficult times so being a compassionate person and a good listener is vital. Strong science and math skills are necessary in order to calculate the correct dose of a patient’s medicine. Because respiratory therapists are typically part of a team, good interpersonal skills go a long way in this profession. Last, patience is crucial! Patients may require special attention over long periods of time.
What is a respiratory therapist’s salary?
The average median salary for a respiratory therapist in May 2020 was $62,810. Most jobs pay about this rate but working in an outpatient care center increase the average median salary by over $25,000!
What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists?
The field of respiratory therapy is on fire! Projected growth between 2020 and 2030 is 23%. Not only is this three times higher than the growth in all occupations but it’s almost double the growth of healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners. That being said, choosing respiratory therapy as your future profession is a safe bet to a secure future.