THE WORLD IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, SO ARE HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Home About Us Our Sponsors Careers Education Employers Labor Market Info Important Links Downloads Contact Us		Respiratory Therapist  (Rehabilitation Professions) DID YOU KNOW?   (click for more) DID YOU KNOW?   (click to hide) Respiratory Therapist - Did-You-Know: 1. It is no longer necessary to draw blood to assess the oxygen and carbon dioxide values of a patient. This can now be accomplished non-invasively by using spectrophotometry. For example, a pulse oximeter, a type of spectrophotometer, measures the percentage of oxygen bound to hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. This device attaches onto the finger like a clothespin – no pain, no blood. 2. Charting patient data using a laptop or hand held computer is becoming commonplace. 3. Mechanical ventilators commonly have built in computer CRT screens. Adjusting how deep a breath a patient gets, how much oxygen, etc. is accomplished by typing onto computer-type key pad. 4. Respiratory Care students practice patient care skills by using computerized clinical scenarios. 5. National credentialing exams are taken on-line. How is technology impacting any of the following areas in the Respiratory Therapy field? 1. Education: Course and degrees are available in part or in whole on-line. Instructor notes are being presented on screen via computer and are commonly available on-line. Literature searchers for research papers can be accomplished entirely on-line and submitted to the instructor via email. Exams are given on-line. 2. Research: Clinical research appears on-line before it available in hard copy journals. 3. Direct patient care: Patient charting/patient records/patient data are entered and reviewed via computer. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level)--also known as respiratory care practitioners--evaluate, treat, and care for patients with cardio-pulmanory and other breathing disorders. Respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care treatments, including the supervision of respiratory therapy Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level). Respiratory therapy Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level) provide specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians. In clinical practice, many of the daily duties of therapists and Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level) overlap, although therapists generally have more experience than Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level). In this section, the term respiratory therapists include both respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level). To evaluate patients, respiratory therapists test the capacity of the lungs and analyze oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases concentration in the blood. They also measure the patient`s potential of hydrogen (pH), which indicates the acidity or alkalinity level of the blood. To measure lung capacity, patients breathe into an instrument that measures the volume and flow of oxygen during inhalation and exhalation. By comparing the reading with the norm for the patient`s age, height, weight, and sex, respiratory therapists can determine whether lung deficiencies exist. To analyze oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels, therapists draw an arterial blood sample, place it in a blood gas analyzer, and relay the results to a physician. Respiratory therapists treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed, to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. These workers provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock. Mean annual salary for a Respiratory Therapist is $43,520. Mean annual salary for a Respiratory Therapist Registered Respiratory Therapists (advanced) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (entry level) is $33,990. WHERE EMPLOYED: More than 4 out of 5 jobs were in hospital departments of respiratory care, anesthesiology, or pulmonary medicine. Respiratory therapy clinics, offices of physicians, nursing homes, and firms that supply respiratory equipment for home use accounted for most of the remaining jobs. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Respiratory therapists generally work between 35 and 40 hours a week. Because hospitals operate around the clock, therapists may work evenings, nights, or weekends. They spend long periods standing and walking between patients` rooms. In an emergency, therapists work under a great deal of stress. Therapists should be sensitive to patient`s physical and psychological needs. They must pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and work as part of a team. In addition, operating advanced equipment requires proficiency with computers. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Persons may qualify for entry into the field of respiratory therapy by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree entering the field as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). All programs are required to offer an associates or bachelors degree at either the certification or registry level. Most programs (though not all) have converted to the registry level. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Persons may qualify for entry into the field of respiratory therapy by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree entering the field as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). All programs are required to offer an associates or bachelors degree at either the certification or registry level. Most programs (though not all) have converted to the registry level. Educational program types for this career. EMPLOYERS: Potential employers for this career. LAST UPDATED: 9/9/2007 - Update Current status - Active
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