All respiratory therapists should have the following skills:. Making the decision to go into respiratory care is exciting.
Accredited schools have RT programs that include clinical components in addition to basic education, so you can not only complete course credit, but also get the necessary supervised training in practical experience with patient treatment. Actual requirements can vary by state, but licensure is required almost everywhere Alaska is the exception. Learn more about how to become a respiratory therapist with Gwynedd Mercy University today.
This consent includes contact via automated means. I understand that consent is not required to apply or attend Gwynedd Mercy University. Contact Information. Box Gwynedd Valley, PA Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube. Skip to main content. Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work? Respiratory Therapist Job Description A day in the life of a respiratory therapist can involve meeting and assessing new patients, as well as administering treatment to and following up with existing patients.
Respiratory Therapist Job Duties Respiratory therapists have a wide range of duties throughout their days. A typical day or shift can consist of: Meeting with and examining patients who have pulmonary diseases, disorders, or complications Conducting, performing, and analyzing diagnostic and function tests to assess lung capacity and capability Working with physicians and nurses to create treatment plans Treating patients with aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy Evaluating progress of treatment Administering inhalants Documenting care by updating charts and records Operating mechanical ventilators and other machines Completing discharge planning by working with other members of the medical team Training patients how to administer treatments and use equipment on their own Recommending equipment and treatment for outpatient or home health Protecting patients and other healthcare employees through stringent protocols How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
Hospitals - By far the most common workplace environment for an RT, treating patients who have the most need. Additionally, they perform pulmonary function testing to determine disease state and course of treatment, drawing blood samples and performing chest physiotherapy to remove mucus from the lungs.
They can also administer therapeutic gases and administer medications for asthmatics and patients suffering from COPD. Finally, they institute, monitor, and maintain mechanical ventilators for patient on life support. Pulmonary Rehab Clinics - An outpatient respiratory therapy office is a place where patients with pulmonary complications can go for check ups, treatment, and breathing therapy. Respiratory therapists there could perform a range of duties, including counseling, educating, and rehabilitating to help patients breathe more easily.
In-Home Care - RTs can do at-home care for patients who have a difficult time or are unable to get to a physical location. They can help train patients and families on machines and equipment for breathing assistance.
Sleep Disorder Centers - Respiratory therapists who work at sleep disorder centers can help diagnose and prepare treatment plans for those with sleep disorders. They run in-lab sleep studies and work with patients who may have pulmonary disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Ideal Skills for a Respiratory Therapist Like most jobs in the healthcare profession, respiratory therapists need to have a unique skill set that allows them to multitask while remaining hyper-focused on the needs and conditions of their patients.
All respiratory therapists should have the following skills: Verbal communication skills Calm bedside manner Compassion Deep understanding of infectious control Ability to work with a medical team Good judgment and quick decision-making ability Time management skills Physiological knowledge Patience and ability to teach and train patients Detail oriented Science and math skills How to Become a Respiratory Therapist Making the decision to go into respiratory care is exciting.
Please select In some hospitals, respiratory therapists are involved in related areas, such as diagnosing breathing problems for people with sleep apnea and counseling people on how to stop smoking. Respiratory therapists held about , jobs in The largest employers of respiratory therapists were as follows:. Respiratory therapists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn disabled patients.
Therapists work closely with registered nurses , physicians and surgeons , and medical assistants. Educational programs are offered by colleges and universities, vocational—technical institutes, and the Armed Forces.
Completion of a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care may be required for licensure. Respiratory therapy programs typically include courses in human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology, and math. Other courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR.
In addition to coursework, programs have clinical components that allow students to gain supervised, practical experience in treating patients. High school students interested in applying to respiratory therapy programs should take courses in health, biology, math, chemistry, and physics. Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska, where national certification is recommended, although not required.
Licensure requirements vary by state; for most states they include passing a state or professional certification exam. 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. Respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention. Problem-solving skills. Respiratory therapists need strong problem-solving skills.
Science and math skills. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. In May , the median annual wages for respiratory therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:.
Because they may work in medical facilities, such as hospitals that are always open, some therapists work evening, night, or weekend hours. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. Growth in the middle-aged and older population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , and other disorders that can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.
The aging population will in turn lead to an increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments, mostly in hospitals. Advances in preventing and detecting disease, improved medications, and more sophisticated treatments will also increase the demand for respiratory therapists.
Other conditions affecting the general population, such as respiratory problems due to smoking and air pollution, along with respiratory emergencies, will continue to create demand for respiratory therapists. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area.
There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of respiratory therapists. Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover. Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments. Registered nurses RNs provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. American Association for Respiratory Care. Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. For a list of state licensing agencies, as well as information on gaining credentials in respiratory care, visit. Respiratory Therapists. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. Last Modified Date: Wednesday, September 8, The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised.
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