Respiratory therapists help patients with breathing problems, such as asthma or COPD, by assessing, treating, and managing their respiratory care. They work with patients of all ages, perform therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records, and operate respiratory equipment.
Median income:
$77,960 annually or $37.48 per hour.
Lifestyle:
Respiratory therapists directly work with patients in hospital clinics or rehabilitation centers, and they work rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide continuous respiratory care in facilities that operate 24/7.
Exciting Parts of the Job
Helping patients breathe- one of the fundamental aspects of life
Witnessing patients’ progress from critical conditions to wellness
Seeing the impact of organ donations where patients can save multiple lives
Challenging Parts of the Job
The emotional difficulty of not being able to send patients home, especially children
Witnessing the heartache of grieving families
Dealing with pandemics like COVID-19, where efforts felt futile despite working tirelessly
Education requirements:
An associate’s degree in respiratory therapy is typically required, but employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
Job outlook:
The future for respiratory therapists is bright, with a projected 13% growth in employment, which is much faster than average for all occupations.
This is perfect for you if:
You enjoy helping and caring for others
You like working with medical equipment
You are a natural researcher
You want to work in the healthcare sector
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Dulce Noriega to learn more about being a respiratory therapist here!
Day in the Life
Schedule:
Full-time and they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays, due to the continuous operation of healthcare facilities.
Setting:
Mainly in hospitals, nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare settings. They’re found in critical care areas like emergency rooms and intensive care units, where they manage patient care and take precautions against injuries and infectious diseases.
Tasks:
Assessing and treating patients with breathing disorders, performing diagnostic tests, monitoring patient progress, providing emergency care, managing respiratory equipment, and educating patients on using medications and devices.
Topics:
Medicine, biology, psychology, customer service, and personal care to ensure they deliver the highest quality patient care possible.
Skills:
Proficient in patient assessment, therapeutic interventions, medical equipment operation, emergency response, patient education, and infection control.
Tools:
Medical equipment like nasal cannulas, venturi masks, non-rebreathers, BiPAP and ventilator machines, suction devices, and bronchoscopes for procedures like lung lavages.
Common Characteristics
Natural Talents (strengths):
Good at communication, managing multiple tasks, and disconnecting from work which is essential for avoiding burnout in demanding healthcare environments.
Interests:
Helping and assisting other people, problem-solving at work, determining respiratory problems, and assisting in finding a treatment.
Personality:
Respiratory therapists typically have social and investigative personality types. They are outgoing, friendly, analytical, curious, and detail-oriented.
Values:
Relationships, supportive work environment, recognition opportunities, and advancement into leadership roles.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
Education requirements:
An associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from an American Medical Association-approved program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) is typically required but most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must also be licensed in most states, requiring passing a state or professional certification exam, such as the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Preferred majors:
Pursuing majors in respiratory care or therapy will help candidates learn about respiratory therapy techniques, diagnostics, and patient care.
Specialties and Similar Career Paths
Acute Care Nurses
Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians
Critical Care Nurses
Paramedics
Radiation Therapists
Advice from Dulce
Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:
Gain relevant clinical experience through internships first and keep your certifications current, research potential employers thoroughly, and prepare for interviews focusing on clinical skills and patient care expertise.
Fastest way to get your foot in the door:
Get an associate’s degree and build relationships across different clinical departments. Always demonstrate your skills in leadership, problem-solving, and willingness to learn.
What Dulce would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:
“You have no idea about the ride you’re about to go in. That’s all.”
Watch the full interview with Dulce:
Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 18 July 2024.
