Respiratory Therapist
You may get this if you have an ongoing condition such as COPD. Your therapist may run tests similar to what you’d get at the hospital, including blood oxygen tests and lung function tests like spirometry.
What Is a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapists are certified medical professionals who treat problems with your lungs or breathing. They’re not doctors. But they work closely with your doctors to diagnose and monitor your condition.
Why You Might Need a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists handle breathing or airway problems that can stem from a wide variety of conditions and events. They include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is a very serious condition that can happen after an injury or illness like COVID-19, which is caused by the new coronavirus
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Spinal muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Auto accidents or other trauma that prevents you from breathing on your own
- Babies who are born prematurely before their lungs are fully grown
- Sleep apnea
What Do Respiratory Therapists Do?
They may work in emergency rooms, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, or sleep centers. Some specialize in working with infants and babies, or with seniors.
Inpatient Therapy
The respiratory therapy you need depends largely on whether you’re in a hospital, how seriously ill you are, and the reason behind your breathing issues. If you’re hospitalized, your respiratory therapist may:
- Intubate you by inserting a tube through your mouth down to your windpipe
- Monitor your breathing and other vital signs on the ventilator
- Take your blood to check your oxygen levels and other results
- Give you medications through mist, dry powder, or other inhalers
- Consult with your doctors to clear mucus from your lungs or to expand collapsed lungs
- Test how well your lungs work, including how deeply you can breathe
Outpatient Therapy
You may get this if you have an ongoing condition such as COPD. Your therapist may run tests similar to what you’d get at the hospital, including blood oxygen tests and lung function tests like spirometry.
The problem isn’t a shortage of people wanting to be doctors, but rather, too few opportunities for training. Medical schools have increased class sizes by 30% since 2002, but federal funding for residency training – an essential step in the process of becoming a practicing physician – has not increased since 1997, according to Inside Higher Ed.
They also will help you understand how best to manage your illness. They may teach you how to:
- Prevent your symptoms
- Follow your treatment plan at home
- Know when you should call your doctor
What to Expect on Your Visit
If you have an appointment with your respiratory therapist, your experience may differ depending on the reasons for your visit.
For example, someone going in for an asthma checkup may have different procedures than people who have lung cancer. Any preparations for your appointment, such as whether you need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, also may depend on your specific medical condition.
Show Sources
Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Respiratory Therapist.”
Mayo Clinic: “Explore Health Careers Respiratory Therapist.”
American Association for Respiratory Care: “How RTs are Involved in the Early Diagnosis of COPD,” “Respiratory Therapists: Warriors in the Fight Against COVID-19.”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Occupational Outlook Handbook – Respiratory Therapist.”
University of Kansas Medical Center: “Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science.”
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “Pulmonary Rehabilitation.”
Concorde: “What does a Respiratory Therapist Do?”
Ellen Becker, PhD, RRT, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC, professor of respiratory care, Rush University Medical Center.
What Is A Respitory Therapist
A respiratory therapist helps patients who are having trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists work under the direction of doctors and treat a range of patients, from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people with lung disease. They give patients oxygen, manage ventilators, and administer drugs to the lungs.
Scope of practice
Respiratory therapists work with doctors and nurses to treat patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. In a typical day, respiratory therapists may:
- Assist with diagnosing lung or breathing disorders
- Evaluate patients and performing tests and studies
- Determine appropriate therapy and treatment options with physicians
- Analyze blood and sputum in the lab
- Manage equipment and devices needed to help people that can’t breathe normally on their own
- Educate patients and families about lung diseases and breathing disorders
Specializations
There are many different areas that respiratory therapists can specialize in. Some areas require extra certification or experience. Respiratory therapists can specialize in:
- Neonatal or pediatric
- Geriatric
- Pulmonary rehab
- Polysomnography
- Critical care
- Home care
- Pulmonary diagnostics
Work environment
Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and home health agencies; however, about 75% of respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals. They typically work 35-40 hour weeks. Depending on where they work, they may work nights, weekends, and holidays, especially if they do direct patient care in hospitals or nursing homes. Shifts can be long, and respiratory therapists typically spend most of their shift on their feet.
Becoming a respiratory therapist
Individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, should be detail oriented and well organized. It’s important to have strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. High school students can prepare for the role by taking advantage of science, math, and health courses.
Higher education requirements
Respiratory therapists can choose to get a two-year associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy; some employers do prefer a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may have entrance requirements that include documented volunteer or work experience in an environment with respiratory care, so it may be beneficial to work or volunteer in a hospital or vent center in high school.
Certification process
After completing a respiratory therapy degree program, you must take the certification exam to become a certified respiratory therapist or a registered respiratory therapist. Every state (except Alaska) requires that respiratory therapists also obtain a state license. Additional certification is available to work with certain populations, such as pediatrics. Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are also highly recommended.
Respiratory therapists are required to renew their credentials every five years, which includes continuing education or retesting.
Career opportunities and outlook
Respiratory therapists can expect a median annual salary of $ 61,830 .
Job opportunities are expected to be very good for respiratory therapists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of respiratory therapists to grow much faster than average. Respiratory therapists are in demand to care for the large aging population. Older people are more likely to experience lung and heart conditions that may benefit from respiratory therapy.
With additional training and experience, some therapists may advance to staff therapist or administrative positions. Others start their own respiratory care companies or move into equipment marketing and sales.
