Life As a Respiratory Therapist
Position Description 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.
Respiratory Therapist Responsibilities
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.
- Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians’ orders.
- Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
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What a Respiratory Therapist Should Know
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
- Cardiopulmonary Technician and EEG Tech (Cardiopulmonary Technician and Electroencephalogram Technician)
- Staff Therapist
- Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)
- Clinical Coordinator of Respiratory Therapy
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
Are There Job Opportunities for Respiratory Therapists?
There were about 130,200 jobs for Respiratory Therapist in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 9,800 yearly job openings in this field.
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 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.
How much do Respiratory Therapists make in each U.S. state?
| 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 & Technology 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
How do I Become a Respiratory Therapist?
What kind of Respiratory Therapist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
Where Respiratory Therapists Work
Respiratory Therapists work in the following industries:
References:
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