An Overview of the Respiratory Therapist Profession

Respiratory Therapy has been increasingly gaining popularity with healthcare students over the last few years. Several reasons contribute to this: as career opportunities, variety of work environments, job satisfaction and the overall perks and benefits of being involved with the healthcare industry. Let’s take a look at the field of respiratory therapy and the educational route a student can take to becoming a respiratory therapist.

rnWhat do respiratory therapists do?

Respiratory therapists provide medical care for patients of all ages who suffer from cardiopulmonary disorders. These patients typically have trouble breathing and it is the responsibility of a respiratory therapist to examine, diagnose and provide them with medical treatment. Their job responsibilities also include:

• Running diagnostic tests to measure a patient’s lung capacity.
• Running relevant tests to check and measure a patient’s blood-oxygen levels.
• Providing treatment for patients with the help of the right medication, breathing exercises, physiotherapy, use of specialized instruments, etc.
• Teaching patients how to use equipment and monitor the progress of the treatment.

What are the two types of respiratory therapists?

There are two types of practicing respiratory therapists; the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

rnIn order to become a CRT, a student must first complete a two-year associate degree program in respiratory therapy. Upon successful completion of the degree, the student must take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)’s CRT exam. Once a student passes this exam, he or she emerges as a Certified Respiratory Therapist.

In order to become an RRT, a student must first complete a bachelor degree program in respiratory therapy. Following that they must take two more exams under the NBRC to become an RRT.

These respiratory therapists are licensed to practice in all states except Alaska. Also, licensure requirements might vary by state. Simply contacting the state’s health board should put any questions you might have regarding licensure to rest.

rnEducation and training

The minimum requirement to become a respiratory therapist is an associate’s degree. However, with a bachelor’s degree and an RRT certification could help if you wish to take on supervisory, teaching or administrative positions or wish to work in the intensive-care unit of a hospital. An RRT’s earning potential is more due to factors such as proven skills and more field experience.

rnSalary and employment outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists can earn salaries up to $73,410. With employment opportunities expected to grow by 28 percent between 2012 and 2020, respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree and an RRT certification are likely to have great job prospects.

Start looking…

Begin your search by looking for accredited colleges that offer programs in respiratory therapy and reading reviews about them. An example of one such college is California College San Diego. California College of San Diego’s reviews shed light upon the college’s financial aid assistance programs for those who qualify, accreditation and program highlights to help the student make a decision that suits them best.

Respiratory Therapists are an integral part of a healthcare team. It is a profession that brings immense personal and professional satisfaction. If you wish to be a part of the healthcare industry, you might want to consider respiratory therapy as a career choice.