Respiratory care is the health care specialty involved in the diagnosis, treatment and preventive care of patients with disorders of the heart and lungs. The professionals who provide this care are called Respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists give medical gases, administer aerosolized drugs, deliver bronchial hygiene therapy, and assist with resuscitation. Respiratory therapists are responsible for inserting and maintaining artificial airways and overseeing the management of critically ill patients in need of artificial life support. Respiratory therapists also provide pulmonary rehabilitation and help educate patients, family members and the public at large regarding the treatment and prevention of lung diseases. To learn more about this exciting field, click here to view a 6-minute RealMedia video entitled Life and Breath that shows real-life therapists in various work settings (requires the Real Media Player)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
• Is the Job Outlook Good for Respiratory Therapists?
• How Much Can I Earn as a Respiratory Therapist?
• What Makes a Good Respiratory Therapist?
• How Do I Become a Respiratory Therapist?

Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?

Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. In this setting they care for patients on medical and surgical wards, and in emergency rooms, neonatal, adult and cardiac intensive care units, and outpatient departments. Respiratory therapist also provide care in patients’ homes, rehabilitative centers and nursing homes, as well as other health care facilities. For experienced therapists with advanced education, jobs also exist in areas such as supervision, education, and equipment sales and marketing.

Is The Job Outlook Good for Respiratory Therapists?

There are over 100,000 respiratory care personnel working throughout the US. The current job market for the well-prepared, highly motivated and hard-working respiratory therapist is very good. In New Jersey, most graduates secure gainful employment within 30-60 days of program completion.

According the American Association for Respiratory Care, the need for respiratory care professionals is expected to grow in the coming years due to the large increase in the elderly population; the impact of environmental problems that have already contributed to the yearly rise in number of reported asthma cases; and technological advances in the treatment of heart attack, cancer, and accident victims, as well as premature babies.

How Much Can I Earn as a Respiratory Therapist?

How hard are you willing to work? On average, new graduates can expect to earn $20-25 per hour (equivalent to $40,000-$50,000/year full-time). Experienced therapists generally make $25-30 per hour. It is common for therapists holding down multiple jobs to earn $60,000-$80,000 annually. For experienced therapists in managerial, educational or sales/marketing positions, $70,000-$90,000 per year is not uncommon.

What Makes a Good Respiratory Therapist?

Technical knowledge and skills are essential to the safe and effective delivery of respiratory care. The skilled respiratory therapist must be able to apply scientific knowledge and theory to practical problems at the bedside or in the laboratory. Command of basic mathematics and effective interpersonal communications skills are a must.

Just as important, however, are your personal attributes. The successful respiratory therapist is people-oriented, dependable, flexible, conscientious, honest, compassionate, caring, courteous and self-directed. In addition, the successful respiratory therapist must be able to handle the physical and emotional rigors of what can be very stressful work situations. Last, the successful respiratory therapist must always be willing to learn new things and strive to meet the highest standards of the profession of which he or she is a part.

How Do I Become a Respiratory Therapist?

To become a respiratory therapist, you must first graduate from an accredited college program in respiratory care. Accredited respiratory care programs are offered by about 400 colleges and universities throughout the country. In most states (including New Jersey), you then must take and pass a licensure/certification examination. This qualifies you for entry into practice. To become a full-fledged therapist, you must go on and complete the National Board for Respiratory Care advanced practitioner examinations. Only after completion of you education, licensure and advanced practitioner exams do you become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

For More Information on the Career:

• About the Career - Being a Respiratory Therapist (AARC)
• Occupational Outlook (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Visit the Key Professional Organizations:

• American Association for Respiratory Care
• National Board for Respiratory Care (Credentialing)
• Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care