What will I do in this job?
If you plan to be a Respiratory Therapist, you will evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. To evaluate patients, Therapists test the capacity of the lungs and analyze oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration. To measure lung capacity, Therapists have patients breathe into an instrument that measures the volume and flow of oxygen during inhalation and exhalation. Respiratory Therapists can determine whether lung deficiencies exist by comparing the reading with the norm for the patient’s age, height, weight, and sex.
Respiratory Therapists perform a variety of tasks including:
- providing temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and emergency care for patients who suffer heart failure, stroke, drowning, or shock
- teaching patients and their families to use ventilators and other life support equipment
- administering aerosols
- teaching patients how to inhale the aerosol properly to assure its effectiveness
- assisting with cardiopulmonary procedures like electrocardiograms and stress testing
- drawing blood samples from patients
Will I need a special license?
If you want to be a Respiratory Therapist, you must have a State License.
What type of education will I need?
Formal training is necessary for entry into this field. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools, vocational-technical institutes, and the Armed Forces. An associate degree has become the general requirement for entry into this field. Most programs award associate or bachelor’s degrees and prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists.
Will I find a job?
Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012
How much will I make?
Median Salary: $ 40,220 (Ranges from $30,000- $54,000)
(2003-2004)
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