A Respiratory Therapist is not a doctor. Instead, they are medical professionals that work under the direction of physicians with patients who have breathing difficulties or challenges. A Respiratory Therapists is also not the same as a Respiratory Technician, who actually works under the direction of a Respiratory Therapist.
At the very least, a Respiratory Therapist requires an Associate’s Degree. Most health institutions that hire Respiratory Therapists, however, prefer a bachelor’s degree, and if the professional wishes to advance, they will want to go on and obtain a Master’s Degree as well, although this is often done while working, after achieving the bachelor’s degree.
With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, all other states in the United States require Respiratory Therapists to be licensed. This means that they must take and pass a state board exam, and they must have met the educational and clinical requirements to sit for the examination. Additionally, most employers will require the therapist to have up-to-date CPR certification as well.
Respiratory Therapists work with a wide range of patients – from those who are post-operative, to those who are on life support, and of course those patients who are suffering from Respiratory problems, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and emphysema. They also often work with infants who are born early, whose lungs are not yet fully developed. There are a variety of treatment options that can be used, and the diagnosis usually determines the treatment that the Respiratory Therapist and the patient agree upon, with the doctor’s approval of course.
Most Respiratory Therapists are employed in hospitals, but some are starting to find employment in other health related venues as well. Aside from hospitals, the next area where Respiratory Therapists find employment is through home health care agencies.
The outlook for job opportunities in this field is great, with the field growing faster than average. The earnings potential is also good, with the average salary for a Respiratory Therapist who holds a bachelor’s degree being around $52,000 annually, while those with a master’s degree will earn about $65,000 annually. Respiratory Therapists who only hold an associate’s degree can expect to make anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 annually.
Respiratory Therapy Degree Online Resources
Course Title: Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Name of Company: Independence University
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Description: This online program takes approximately two years to complete, and makes the student eligible to sit for the CRT exam and the advanced level RRT exam as well.
Resources: http://www.independence.edu/respiratory-therapy-course.php
Course Title: Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Name of Company: San Joaquin Valley College
Location: Bakersfield, California, United States
Description: Graduates of this program are eligible for state licensure and to sit for national credentialing exams to include the CRT and RRT exams.
Resources: http://www.sjvc.edu/program/Respiratory_Therapy/
Course Title: Online Respiratory Therapy
Name of Company: Stevens Henager College
Location: 383 West Vine Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Description: This program takes four years to complete, is available online, and awards the student with a Bachelor of Science Degree upon completion.
Resources: http://www.stevenshenager.edu/online-respiratory-therapy.html
Course Title: Respiratory Therapy Completion Program Online Bachelor of Health Sciences
Name of Company: University of Missouri
Location: 102 Whitten Hall, Columbia, Missouri, United States
Description: This program is designed for students who already have CRT or RRT certification, so that they can obtain their bachelor’s degree.
Resources: http://mudirect.missouri.edu/degprog/hprof/respiratory.shtm
Course Title: Respiratory Therapy
Name of Company: PIMA Medical Institute
Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chula Vista, California
Denver, Colorado
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mesa, Arizona
Renton, Washington
Tucson, Arizona
Description: This 21 month program is available online, and awards the student with an associate’s degree, and makes them eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care exams.
Resources: http://pmi.edu/careers/respiratory_therapy.asp
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