Career Watch on Respiratory Therapist Job Description

Are you interested in a career wherein you help5. Monitoring ventilators and artificial airway devices
people breathe better? Do you want to work in afor patients.
medical profession where there are constant6. Communicating and educating patients about lung
pressures of emergency calls? Do you want a careerdiseases.
where you will work with high tech machines in givingRespiratory Therapists cater to a broad spectrum of
treatments? If you answer yes to all these questionspatients like premature babies born with
then a career as a Respiratory Therapist is just forunderdeveloped lungs to senior citizens with
you.pulmonary diseases. They also assist in emergency
This kind of job description is to analyze, treat andcalls for heart attacks, strokes, or shock
provide bedside care to patients with cardioIn order to qualify as a Respiratory Therapist you
pulmonary disorders. They work closely with theshould at least have a degree as an associate
supervision of doctors. They also monitor respiratoryrespiratory therapy. Although this may be the
therapy technicians. They are also known asminimum requirement to enter the profession, you
Respiratory Care Practitioners or RT.can also earn a Bachelor or Masters Degree in
The daily routine of a Respiratory Therapist includesrespiratory therapy if you want to advance in this
the following:career. Some states in the US except for Alaska and
1. Diagnosing breathing disorders and lung problemsHawaii will also require a license from the National
2. Recommending the right treatments for respiratoryBoard for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The board grants
disorders.the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential
3. Conducting chest examinations on patients.to graduate students from entry-level or those who
4. Gathering and analyzing of patient's breath, tissue,took advanced respiratory therapy program and
and blood sampleshave passed a licensure exam.