therapists who work in home care teach patients and their families to use ventilators and other life-support systems in their homes. During these visits, they may inspect and clean equipment, check the home for environmental hazards, and ensure that patients know how to use their medications. Therapists also make emergency home visits when necessary.
In some hospitals, respiratory therapists are involved in related areas, such as counseling people on how to stop smoking and diagnosing breathing problems for people with sleep apnea.
Work Environment
Respiratory therapists treat patients in every age group.
Respiratory therapists held about 112,700 jobs in 2010. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Others may work in nursing care facilities or travel to patients’ homes. Respiratory therapists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn disabled patients.
Like other healthcare workers, respiratory therapists may be exposed to infectious diseases.
Work Schedules
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities such as hospitals that are always open, some may work evening, night, or weekend hours.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists who work in home care teach patients and their families to use ventilators and other life-support systems in their homes.
Respiratory therapists need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.
Education
Respiratory therapists need at least an associate’s degree, but employers look favorably on applicants who have more education. Many colleges and universities, vocational-technical institutes, and the Armed Forces offer training. Most programs award an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
All programs have clinical components that allow therapists to earn course credit and gain supervised, practical experience treating patients.
Respiratory therapy programs include courses in human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology, and mathematics. Other courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
High school students interested in applying to respiratory therapy programs should take courses in health, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics.
Licenses
Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska, although requirements vary by state. Licensure requirements in most states include completing a state or professional certification exam. For specific state requirements, contact your state’s health board.
Certification
Many employers prefer to hire respiratory therapists who have certification. Certification is not always required, but it is widely respected throughout the occupation. Certification usually requires graduating from an accredited program and passing a certification exam and is often required in order to get a state license.
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the main certifying body for respiratory therapists. The Board offers two levels of certification: the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
The first-level certification available from NBRC for respiratory therapists is the CRT certification. Applicants must have earned an associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program, or completed the equivalent coursework in a bachelor’s degree program, and pass an exam.
The second-level certification available from NBRC is the RRT certification. Applicants must have a CRT certification, meet other education or experience requirements, and pass an exam.
Important Qualities
Compassion. Respiratory therapists should be able to provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment and be sympathetic to their needs.
Detail oriented. Respiratory therapists must be detail oriented to ensure that patients are receiving the appropriate treatments and medications in a timely manner. They must also monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.
Interpersonal skills. Respiratory therapists interact with patients and often work as part of a team. They must be able to follow instructions from a supervising physician.
Patience. Respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention.
Problem-solving skills. Respiratory therapists need strong problem-solving skills. They must evaluate patients’ symptoms, consult with other healthcare professionals, and recommend and administer the appropriate treatments.
Science and mathematical skills. Respiratory therapists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences and be able to calculate the right dose of a patient’s medicine.
Pay
Respiratory Therapists
Median annual wages, May 2010
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners
$71,490
Respiratory Therapists
$54,280
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of respiratory therapists was $54,280 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,990, and the top 10 percent earned more than $73,410.
As shown in the tabulation below, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists varies between the industries they are employed in.
Nursing care facilities $57,450
Home health care services 55,960
Hospitals; state, local, and private 54,210
Offices of physicians 52,500
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities such as hospitals that are always open, some work evening, night, or weekend hours.
Job Outlook
Respiratory Therapists
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Respiratory Therapists
28%
