Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages, from premature infants to the elderly. They evaluate and treat patients with acute and chronic respiratory and cardiopulmonary problems, such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchitis, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. They also work with patients who have suffered strokes or heart attacks, and drowning and overdose victims.
Duties, Activities, and Scope of Practice
Respiratory therapists evaluate patients for lung capacity and oxygen, CO2, and pH levels to determine the appropriate interventions for the current breathing problem. They are trained to draw arterial blood samples for blood-gas analysis. R.T.s instruct patients and caregivers in the safe use of oxygen, ventilators, humidifiers, and aerosol machines. In addition to the use of this equipment, they instruct in cleaning and maintenance procedures.
ssential
Respiratory therapists instruct patients in breathing exercises to help increase their lung capacity and relieve their symptoms. They perform chest physiotherapy to assist patients in clearing mucous from their lungs and respiratory system. This is most often used for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Education and Training
The minimum standard for R.T.s is an associate's degree in respiratory therapy; however, there are a growing number of R.T.s who have a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy, as this offers them opportunities for more advanced practice.
The associate's degree is offered by community colleges and vocational schools, and the bachelor's through colleges and universities. Again, always be sure the program is accredited.
The curriculum of the R.T. program will include anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system; chemistry; math; microbiology; pharmacology; anesthesiology; and cardiopulmonary diseases. Additionally they are trained in techniques such as airway management, CPR, management of ventilators, drawing and analyzing arterial blood gasses, and pulmonary function testing. They learn how to safely use oxygen and mixtures with other gasses.
As with other patient care careers, the R.T. training includes significant time spent in supervised clinical practice.
Licensure/Certification
Over forty states require licensure of respiratory therapists. Most employers require R.T.s to be certified as a C.R.T., which requires passing written and clinical exams after graduation from an accredited program. An R.T. can also become an R.P.T. (registered respiratory therapist) by passing another written and clinical exam.
Work Settings and Salaries Most
R.T.s work in hospitals or medical centers. Others work for medical equipment suppliers who supply oxygen and other respiratory care equipment to patients at home, home health agencies, and skilled-nursing facilities.
Health care is a 24-7 industry, especially in hospital settings; therefore, R.T.s may work any shift and will work some weekends and holidays.
The median salary in 2004 as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor was $43,140. Salaries ranged from $32,220 to $57,580.
Career Potential and Additional Information
Technological advancements that continue to improve and help to save the lives of premature infants will ensure a place for respiratory therapists, as these patients' lungs are immature and frequently problematic. The elderly are also vulnerable to cardiopulmonary diseases, and as the population ages, the need for respiratory therapists will grow. The need for R.T.s is expected to increase at a rate faster than for most occupations through 2014 according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
To find out more about becoming an R.T., contact the American Association for Respiratory Care. Their Web site is
