Future respiratory therapists can earn an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree and entry-level certification as a Certified Respiratory Therapist CRT to begin a career in the field. Interested in learning more about the life of a respiratory therapist? Read on, as our career guide covers everything you need to know about this rewarding career path. A respiratory therapist is trained and skilled to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who have difficulty breathing.
They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, in conjunction with physicians and nurses to come up with treatment plans aimed at best helping restore as much natural breathing function as possible. From initial interviewing and examining, to teaching patients how to administer treatments on their own, respiratory therapists are a critical component in helping people living with cardio-pulmonary disease and disorders. A day in the life of a respiratory therapist can involve meeting and assessing new patients, as well as administering treatment to and following up with existing patients.
RTs should be detail-oriented, patient, compassionate, and possess stellar interpersonal skills as they interact with vulnerable patients who often need as much genuine comfort as they do medical treatment. Respiratory therapists have a wide range of duties throughout their days.
A typical day or shift can consist of:. The average annual respiratory therapist salary in the U. There is opportunity for work in a multitude of medical settings in addition to hospitals, including outpatient and long-term nursing care facilities. RTs can work long days, and often spend more hours on their feet than some other professions, but hours and work weeks can be flexible. Regardless of where a job is, RTs will perform similar duties for patients. But what do respiratory therapists do, exactly?
Respiratory therapists RTs are health practitioners who specialize in treating people of all ages suffering from sudden or chronic breathing problems. They use a variety of tests, equipment and procedures to evaluate and treat patients based on their unique respiratory conditions. Within these environments, they provide care for patients of all ages. Daily duties will vary based on the types of patients they treat, but there are some responsibilities that most RTs share.
Within seconds of being born, a baby takes its first breath. Many newborns are unable to take these initial breaths on their own, often due to premature birth, maternal complications, or growth abnormalities. Respiratory therapists are there for the smallest patients by placing breathing tubes, providing mechanical breaths and managing breathing machines until the babies can breathe on their own.
This process starts in the delivery room, when a RT assists in stabilizing newborns unable to transition in their first few moments of life. Pediatric patients from birth through age 18 will be cared for at a pediatric hospital. Children with chronic breathing disorders, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart malformations and premature lungs receive daily care from RTs. Children with acute, or short-term breathing issues, such as croup, pneumonia, flu and bronchiolitis will also receive assessment, breathing treatments, suctioning, and additional therapies from respiratory therapists.
For the sickest pediatric patients, respiratory therapists are responsible for managing breathing tubes, breathing machines and heart-lung bypass machines. Most adults receiving care from respiratory therapists in the hospital suffer from chronic pulmonary disorders, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , chronic bronchitis, emphysema and bronchiectasis.
Respiratory Therapists can work with adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients. You may work with seniors who have emphysema, or premature infants with cardio-pulmonary disorders. You may help those with asthma, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease, too — as they all require the help of a Respiratory Therapist. As noted above, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a big jump in employment of Respiratory Therapists nationwide.
But this is just the start. According to the Connecticut Department of Labor , Respiratory Therapists are among the fastest growing occupations in Connecticut. Why is the demand so high? It all comes down to the aging population in this country. Growth in the Baby Boomer generation is leading to an increase of respiratory conditions, such as:.
This aging population will also lead to an increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments, particularly in hospitals. Advancements in modern medicine are also causing growth for this role. To use this tool, patients breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a tube with a ball inside. The ball moves with each inhalation. The deeper the inhale, the higher the ball rises. A respiratory therapist uses this visual indicator in the incentive spirometer to help patients establish a more effective breathing pattern that clears and strengthens the lungs.
When breathing is difficult, it can make a patient anxious and add to health issues. Simply getting a visit from a respiratory therapist can be upsetting because it means there is a breathing issue. However, breathing issues can be overcome or managed by working with a respiratory therapist.
By following the instructions given, progress can be made. Stay in communication with the respiratory therapist to learn what needs to be done. By taking action, breathing improvements occur and stress levels are reduced.
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