What You Need to Know About Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapist Definition Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Life As a Respiratory Therapist: What Do They Do?
- Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Respiratory Therapist?
Below is a list of the skills most Respiratory Therapists say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Respiratory Therapist Jobs
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
- Cardiopulmonary Technician and EEG Tech (Cardiopulmonary Technician and Electroencephalogram Technician)
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Staff Respiratory Therapist
Is There Job Demand for Respiratory Therapists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 130,200 jobs in the United States for Respiratory Therapist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,400 new jobs for Respiratory Therapist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Respiratory Therapist are Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maryland, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Respiratory Therapist Average Salary
Respiratory Therapists make between $43,750 and $83,520 a year.
Respiratory Therapists who work in California, Alaska, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Respiratory Therapists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,770 |
| Alaska | $76,610 |
| Arizona | $58,420 |
| Arkansas | $52,050 |
| California | $79,640 |
| Colorado | $63,070 |
| Connecticut | $70,410 |
| Delaware | $67,950 |
| District of Columbia | $78,540 |
| Florida | $57,960 |
| Georgia | $57,520 |
| Hawaii | $71,460 |
| Idaho | $57,700 |
| Illinois | $60,500 |
| Indiana | $55,610 |
| Iowa | $53,870 |
| Kansas | $55,080 |
| Kentucky | $49,890 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 |
| Maine | $59,410 |
| Maryland | $67,660 |
| Massachusetts | $73,660 |
| Michigan | $57,040 |
| Minnesota | $67,190 |
| Mississippi | $49,220 |
| Missouri | $56,320 |
| Montana | $57,310 |
| Nebraska | $55,560 |
| Nevada | $73,530 |
| New Hampshire | $66,570 |
| New Jersey | $73,390 |
| New Mexico | $58,200 |
| New York | $74,890 |
| North Carolina | $56,620 |
| North Dakota | $57,720 |
| Ohio | $56,830 |
| Oklahoma | $54,540 |
| Oregon | $69,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,970 |
| Rhode Island | $67,060 |
| South Carolina | $55,990 |
| South Dakota | $51,510 |
| Tennessee | $51,400 |
| Texas | $59,930 |
| Utah | $61,480 |
| Vermont | $66,260 |
| Virginia | $60,200 |
| Washington | $69,540 |
| West Virginia | $50,420 |
| Wisconsin | $62,150 |
| Wyoming | $57,960 |
What Tools do Respiratory Therapists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Respiratory Therapists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- HMS
Becoming a Respiratory Therapist
Education needed to be a Respiratory Therapist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory Therapists Sector
Below are examples of industries where Respiratory Therapists work:
References:
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