The Importance of Training in a Respiratory Therapist

Training programs vary in length from two to four years. Technical schools and community and junior colleges offer two-year programs leading to an associate degree. Four-year colleges offer bachelor’s degrees. Hospitals, medical schools, and the U.S. Armed Forces also offer training. To get into a program, a person must be a high school graduate with a background in mathematics and science.

The respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians—also known as respiratory care practitioners—evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians. Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. Respiratory therapists provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, and they give emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock.

A good background in English is also helpful, because respiratory therapists must keep very detailed records of the treatment they administer. To become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), an individual must graduate from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). After graduation, interested individuals can take the CRT exam. If candidates meet further requirements after CRT certification, they can take the RRT exam. Most employers require therapists to hold the CRT or at least be eligible to take the certification exam. Most states require respiratory therapists to obtain a license.

School placement offices may be able to help students find jobs. If candidates receive their training in a hospital, they may be hired by that hospital. Trade and professional journals often carry listings for respiratory therapists. Interested individuals can also check newspaper want ads and job banks on the Internet. Respiratory therapists may advance to supervisory positions. Those who have advanced degrees may get teaching positions. Advancement depends on training, personal qualifications, and performance.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the outlook for respiratory therapists is very good through the year 2014, with employment expected to increase faster than average. The projected growth of the middle-aged and elderly populations is expected to increase the risk of heart and lung disease, and more respiratory therapists will be needed to provide services for these individuals. Also, as respiratory therapists are required to perform a greater variety of duties, this could mean more jobs for respiratory therapists than currently expected.

Respiratory therapists do most of their work in hospitals. In emergencies they may work in ambulances. However, because most therapy work can be scheduled in advance, respiratory therapists have fairly regular hours. Therapists generally work forty hours per week. They may be expected to work some evenings and weekends. Many therapists work part time and hold another job as well. Salaries vary with education and place of employment. The median income for experienced therapists was $43,140 per year in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Benefits include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans.