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Respiratory therapists work with a team of physicians and medical professionals to evaluate and treat patients with lung disorders.  | Respiratory therapists treat the respiratory illness of their patients to help them breathe normally. In hospitals, respiratory therapists might work for the intensive care or critical care units. Respiratory therapists also perform duties such as: - Measuring patients' lung capacity
- Setting up and monitoring ventilator equipment
- Testing patients for lung abnormalities
- Assisting patients with rehabilitative exercises
| Respiratory therapists work with a variety of people with chronic lung diseases. Some have cystic fibrosis, some are elderly or premature infants, and some need long-term care for diseases such as emphysema. They work with complex, highly-specialized equipment that assists people with their breathing. Respiratory therapists are now very active in the fight for smoking cessation, teaching classes to the general public and to their patients.  Respiratory Therapist: Workplaces Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, but a growing number are employed by nursing homes, home care agencies and respiratory therapy clinics. They also often work in emergency centers where patients are in need of immediate care. Respiratory Therapist: Training Respiratory therapists complete either 2-year associate's degree or 4-year bachelor's degree programs. Upon graduation, you can choose to sit for a national exam to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). After passing this exam, you can decide to sit for two additional tests to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Most respiratory therapists obtain a four-year or higher degree from an accredited institution. However, there are associate's degrees and certificate programs that can get you started. All states, except Alaska and Hawaii, require respiratory therapists to obtain a license in order to practice. Respiratory Therapist: Salary The median annual salary for respiratory therapists was $47,420 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,840 and $56,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,190.* Respiratory Therapist: Licensing Generally, to qualify for state licenses, you must graduate from an accredited university and pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. Certified Respiratory Therapists who graduated from advanced-level programs and who have met experience requirements can take the exams leading toward the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Certain specialty areas, such as intensive care units and supervisory positions, require the RRT or RRT eligibility. Your school advisor will be able to tell you what requirements have been set by the board of respiratory care examiners in your state. Find out what it takes to become a respiratory therapist in this informative article. *Statistics provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
