| Are you consumed by a passion to help people? Do | | | | In addition to the degree, all U.S. states except |
| you thrive for working under pressure? Do | | | | Alaska and Hawaii require RTs to have a valid license |
| emergency situations bring out the best in you? Do | | | | from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). |
| you get an adrenalin rush every time you think about | | | | The board confers the Certified Respiratory |
| a "code blue" call? Do you want to be at the | | | | Therapist (CRT) credential to students who graduate |
| forefront of using cutting edge technology for the | | | | from entry-level or advanced respiratory therapy |
| delivery of health care? | | | | program and pass a licensure exam. |
| If your response to all the above questions is yes, | | | | CRTs that complete advanced respiratory therapy |
| then you are an ideal fit for the role of a Respiratory | | | | programs and pass two separate exams are eligible |
| Therapist. | | | | for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) |
| Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are also known as | | | | certificate from NBRC. However, students must |
| Respiratory Care Practitioners. They evaluate, treat, | | | | ensure before enrolling in a respiratory therapy |
| and provide care to patients with breathing or other | | | | program that it is accredited by a recognized |
| cardiopulmonary disorders. Their work involves | | | | accrediting body like the Commission on Accreditation |
| practicing under the supervision or direction of | | | | for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or Accrediting |
| doctors. They also work closely and often supervise | | | | Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). |
| respiratory therapy technicians. | | | | What Will I Learn? |
| What does an RT do? | | | | As part of their education, students of a respiratory |
| The American Association of Respiratory Care | | | | therapy degree learn topics such as cardiac & renal |
| describes a day in the life of a Respiratory Therapist | | | | anatomy & physiology, cardiopulmonary |
| including activities like: | | | | pharmacology, pulmonary anatomy & physiology, |
| 1. Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders. | | | | pulmonary function testing, respiratory care |
| 2. Recommending treatments for respiratory | | | | protocols, polysomnography, and many more. |
| disorders. | | | | In addition to these clinical concepts, respiratory |
| 3. Conducting chest examinations on patients. | | | | therapy graduates also learn management principles |
| 4. Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood samples of | | | | that respiratory care practitioners need to perform |
| patients. | | | | supervisory roles. These subject areas include |
| 5. Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for | | | | management planning, psychology of motivation, |
| patients. | | | | business law, organization design and change, etc. |
| 6. Educating patients and their families about lung | | | | At the end of their program, graduates have the |
| diseases. | | | | skills and knowledge to meet the everyday |
| Respiratory Therapists provide care to patients | | | | challenges that the work of an RT throws up - be it |
| ranging from premature babies with under developed | | | | at a hospital treating patients with chronic breathing |
| lungs to older people suffering from lung diseases. | | | | problems or responding to emergencies or at a |
| They also respond to emergency situations like heart | | | | patient's home providing preventive care. |
| attacks, strokes, or shock. | | | | If you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with the |
| How do I become an RT? | | | | best brains in medical science and assist them in the |
| The minimum qualification to become a Respiratory | | | | delivery of health care, if you want a career that is |
| Therapist is an associate respiratory therapy degree. | | | | both fulfilling and rewarding, and if you want a job |
| Although an associate's degree in respiratory therapy | | | | with multiple advancement opportunities, then |
| may be enough to enter the profession, RTs need | | | | respiratory therapy is just what the doctor ordered |
| to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in respiratory | | | | for you! |
| therapy for career advancement. | | | | |