Respiratory Therapy
By Mark Rowh
People who have asthma, heart disease, or other medical problems often struggle for breath. Respiratory therapists help people take breathing for granted again.
Helping people to breathe more easily and normally—to take breathing for granted again—is the role of respiratory therapists.
Respiratory therapists provide treatment for individuals with breathing disorders. They also help evaluate patient needs, provide related education for patients and their families, and work closely with physicians and other health care providers to treat breathing-related disorders such as asthma, pulmonary edema emphysema, and smoking cessation.
Men and women who are employed as respiratory therapists perform a variety of tasks to identify breathing difficulties and help patients cope with them. For example, they analyze breath sounds, measure lung capacity, and conduct stress tests. Therapists provide treatment by administering medication with the use of specialized equipment and must master the use of respirators, masks, incubators, and positive breathing machines designed to give respiratory assistance to patients. They also help educate people about the dangers of smoking and provide them with strategies for living with chronic lung difficulties.
A related job role is that of respiratory technician. This job requires less training (typically, the completion of a one-year program) and involves fewer responsibilities. Technicians work under the supervision of respiratory therapists or other professionals.
Most respiratory therapists and technicians work in hospitals; others are employed in nursing homes, clinics, doctor’s offices, and home health agencies.
Success in this field requires several important qualities. Students who like science have an inside track, since much of the required course work is science-based. In addition, respiratory therapists must be highly dependable people who follow directions, use good judgment, and exhibit patience in carrying out complex tasks. They also must be able to work cooperatively with others, since modern health care involves a great deal of teamwork. Solid skills in written and verbal communication are also a must.
To become a respiratory therapist, you’ll need to complete an associate (two-year) degree or a bachelor’s program in the field. This will include courses in anatomy, physiology, math, and chemistry, as well as courses in the field itself. Clinical experience in a hospital or other health care setting will also be required. Success in your academic and clinical courses should enable you to do well on the appropriate certification exams to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or the more advanced designation of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
An alternate route is to complete a bachelor’s degree in another field and then go back and take a one- or two-year program to acquire respiratory therapist credentials. Students majoring in biology, exercise science, or other natural sciences might consider this option.
According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), career prospects in this area are bright. New technologies are expanding the role of respiratory therapy in areas such as surgery, pediatrics, and anesthesiology. In addition, population growth and an increasing number of elderly patients will result in greater dependency than ever on the diagnosis and treatment of breathing problems.
Salaries are also quite good. Average salaries exceed $51,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Respiratory therapy technicians average more than $41,000. Those with bachelor’s degrees and RRT certification may earn more, especially in supervisory positions.
For more information about careers in respiratory therapy, contact the American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75063; phone 972-243-2272; or visit them online at www.aarc.org.
2009
