How to Become a Respiratory Therapist

People suffering from chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and emphysema turn to trained respiratory therapists for help. Before respiratory therapists work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and physician offices, they begin their careers by earning either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. After graduation, respiratory therapists further their career prospects by obtaining state licensure or certifications.

Respiratory therapists primarily work in state, local, and private hospitals, where they examine patients and teach them how to use breathing equipment. The job also requires collaboration with physicians. Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment in respiratory therapy to increase 21% between 2018 and 2028.

Keep reading to learn how to become a respiratory therapist. The following guide also includes information about educational requirements, specialties, and compensation.

What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?

Career Basics

According to the BLS, about 81% of respiratory therapists work in state, local, and private hospitals. Job duties for respiratory therapists vary. Generally, they formulate treatment plans with nurses, doctors, and surgeons. Respiratory therapists also work in nursing care facilities and physician offices.

Additionally, respiratory therapists help patients of varying ages to conduct tests that measure lung capacity. Their responsibilities include inserting tracheas, performing blood tests, and teaching patients how to use ventilators and bronchodilators.

Career In-Depth

Respiratory therapists work full time, often spending long hours on their feet. They often work weekend or night shifts. Most respiratory therapists work 35-40 hours per week. The schedule for respiratory therapists usually consists of three 12-hour shifts per week.

The beginning of a respiratory therapist's shift often starts with a briefing on their patient's progress before they complete rounds to assess those on ventilators. Many respiratory therapists specialize in areas such as sleep disorders, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, and adult critical care. Many individuals in respiratory therapy advance to product representative positions or teach college courses.

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Respiratory Therapist Salary and Job Growth

In 2019, respiratory therapists made a median annual salary of $61,330, according to the BLS. As with any occupation, factors such as experience and geographical location impact earnings.

The BLS reports that respiratory therapists who work in hospitals earn a median annual salary of $61,670. Those who work in physician offices earn a median annual salary of $61,120, while respiratory therapists in nursing care facilities earn a median annual salary of $59,260.

Salaries increase as respiratory therapists gain experience, continue their education, and obtain certifications. The top 10% of respiratory therapists earned an annual salary of $86,980 as of May 2019. The lowest 10% of respiratory therapists earned $44,850 annually. The BLS projects employment in respiratory therapy to grow from 134,000 to 162,000 between 2018 and 2028.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to see a 23 percent increase through 2026. That translates to roughly 30,500 new jobs in the field.

The elderly are expected to be primary drivers of the need for licensed respiratory therapists to treat age-related conditions that affect the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. There’s also expected to be increased demand for respiratory therapists to provide care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities to help reduce incidences of readmission to hospitals from these conditions.

Advances in care treatments and medications should also create increased demand for CRTs trained in these methods. Lastly, the BLS reports that respiratory therapists willing to travel to rural areas lacking licensed CRTs may have better job prospects than their peers seeking employment in urban areas that have a higher saturation of licensed CRTs.

Four Steps to Becoming a Respiratory Therapist

The steps to becoming a respiratory therapist differ for every individual. However, all respiratory therapists take the steps listed below to secure a position. Keep reading for more details about how to become a respiratory therapist.

Preparing to Become a Respiratory Therapist: Schools and Programs

The top bachelor's in respiratory therapy degrees offer affordable, flexible, and quality programs. Prospective respiratory therapists pursue either an associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. Both suffice for employment.

Transfer students typically finish their respiratory therapy education in 1-4 years, depending on previous college credits. The University of Mary, which features one of the top online programs for registered respiratory therapists, allows transfer students to graduate in one year. The Oregon Institute of Technology's bachelor's in respiratory care degree prepares students to take the NBRC certification exam over four years. All programs involve clinical experiences.

Online bachelor's degrees in respiratory therapy care operate on a synchronous or asynchronous basis with optional hybrid formats. Self-paced classes allow students to complete degree requirements quickly. Alternatively, many students prefer to study in a cohort. Admissions policies vary with some schools offering rolling admissions and others requiring applicants to meet set deadlines.

Courses in Respiratory Therapy Programs

A respiratory therapist's education includes a broad curriculum that builds their critical thinking skills, argumentative and persuasive writing, and technical knowledge of respiratory care. Different factors impact the course load a student takes in a bachelor's in respiratory care program. Curriculum requirements differ by school. Additionally, a student's previous coursework impacts what classes they take. Undergraduates without prior college credits first take chemistry, human anatomy, and other general education units before taking the major courses.

Schooling for respiratory therapy provides students with practical skills in case management and leadership. Students also hone specific technical skills in conducting cardiopulmonary stress testing, assessing chest radiographs, and preparing artificial airways through intubation and endotracheal suctioning.

Before graduating, students complete rotations and clinical simulations to test out their skills in a clinical setting. See below for examples of courses that students often take in a respiratory therapy program.

Critical Care

A course in critical care covers the methods used in cardiovascular treatment. Students learn important practical techniques, including cardiac life support, cardiovascular management, and nasal oxygen supplementation. The coursework also teaches undergraduates how to diagnose breathing problems such as sleep apnea.

Ethics and Leadership

Respiratory therapists handle confidential patient information. The occupation requires a thorough understanding of professional ethics and privacy laws. This class teaches students how to manage crises and make ethical decisions. The practical skills students gain in the course help them advance to management positions.

Pediatric Care

Students enrolled in a pediatric care course learn about how to diagnose and treat infants, children, and adolescents. They gain skills in topics such as common diagnosis, therapeutic gases, and high-risk births. This course especially helps respiratory therapists who want to work in neonatal intensive care.

Introduction to Clinical

Over the course of their education, respiratory therapists complete clinical experiences. An introduction to clinical course places students in a clinical setting to learn from healthcare professionals. Students gain practical training and make connections in respiratory therapy. Schools require that students complete a background check and drug screening prior to starting a clinical.

Respiratory Case Management

This class covers the fundamentals of case management. Throughout the course, students strengthen their knowledge of respiratory disorders. They also study patient privacy, ethics, and legal standards.

Accreditation for a Respiratory Therapy Program

Accreditation assures quality and protects students and their investment. During the review process, third-party agencies evaluate schools and confer either regional or national accreditation. Vocational and career-focused colleges receive national accreditation. Academic schools receive regional accreditation. Many employers consider regionally accredited schools more reputable.

Accreditation matters for a student's future career, financial aid, and their ability to transfer schools. Employers typically prefer to hire graduates from accredited schools. Additionally, accredited schools receive federal financial aid and distribute those funds to students. Further, students often cannot transfer credits from nationally accredited schools as easily as credits from regionally accredited schools.

Online schools receive accreditation by the same regional accrediting agencies as brick-and- mortar colleges. Respiratory therapy degrees receive programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), which evaluates degree outcomes and curriculum.

Visit the Department of Education's database to find accredited schools and programs.

Respiratory Therapist Specialties

Earning a respiratory therapy degree gives students an opportunity to gain skills in niche areas. In addition to the core curriculum, a respiratory therapist's education offers specialized training.

Many students earn a specialty in subjects such as pulmonary diagnostics, long-term care, or neonatal pediatrics. The specific specialties available depends on the school and the program. Much like a minor, online learners must complete additional courses to earn a specialty. Pursuing a specialty does not typically delay graduation. However, specifications for specialties vary with every program.

Specialties give students the knowledge and practical skills to become polysomnographic technologists, adult critical care specialists, or sleep disorder specialists. These courses allow students to test out their interests and solidify their career goals. The specialized skills students gain impress employers, who often seek out multitalented registered respiratory therapists.

Components of a Successful Respiratory Therapist Career: Skills, Credentials, Tools, and Technology

Respiratory therapists who succeed in the field share common traits and characteristics. Most notably, successful registered respiratory therapists learn quickly, work well under pressure, and solve problems during emergencies. The hectic schedule of a respiratory therapist demands a highly organized, team-oriented, and adaptable worker. The job also requires effective communication skills to enable collaboration between patients and other medical professionals.

Employers commonly prefer respiratory therapists who hold NBRC credentials. Many students also boost their marketability and salary potential by becoming certified sleep disorder specialists, certified pulmonary function technologists, and adult critical care specialists.

Candidates with skills in clinical technology often improve their earnings. Clinical experience during college introduces students to equipment such as respiratory function analyzers and inhalation drug delivery devices.

Respiratory Therapist Professional Organizations

Strong support networks ensure the success of a respiratory therapist. Professional organizations provide graduates with career growth opportunities. Members of professional organizations gain access to new research, continuing education courses, and events to meet other registered respiratory therapists. The following list contains five professional organizations.

• American Association for Respiratory Care

  This nonprofit international organization, founded in 1947, serves more than 47,000 members. Members gain access to employment opportunities, courses and workshops, and software. Members also enjoy clinical resources such as aerosol delivery guides and patient safety checklists.

• American Lung Association

  This association has promoted lung health for more than 115 years. Registered respiratory therapists participate in events organized around the country as volunteers and advocates. The organization also offers training and certification for working health professionals.

• American Thoracic Society

  The society, founded in 1905, includes more than 16,000 healthcare professionals and researchers who work in hospitals and colleges. Members collaborate to improve patient treatment and build leadership skills. Many members also apply for research grants and attend networking events to meet with other registered respiratory therapists.

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine

  This professional society has worked to improve sleep care since 1975. Members gain access to journals and a weekly electronic newsletter, as well as job listings. Members also receive discounts to courses and meetings.

• Sleep Research Society

  With a 50-year tradition to advance sleep and circadian science, the SRS welcomes undergraduates and registered respiratory therapists engaged in sleep research. The society offers members professional advancement and research funding opportunities. Members also gain access to the directory and annual meetings.

FAQ on Becoming a Respiratory Therapist

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