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Respiratory Therapists in Puerto Rico

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Respiratory Therapists in Puerto Rico

Thinking about a career as a Respiratory Therapists in Puerto Rico? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Respiratory Therapists Make in Puerto Rico?

For a respiratory therapists working in Puerto Rico, wages run about $32,510 per year (or roughly $15.63/hour).Earnings range from $23,440 at the 10th percentile to $36,890 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $23,440 $11.27
25th percentile $25,910 $12.46
Median (50th) $32,510 $15.63
75th percentile $33,800 $16.25
90th percentile $36,890 $17.74
Salary ranges for Respiratory Therapists in Puerto Rico

The job concentration index in Puerto Rico nationwide is 0.91.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, respiratory therapists earn a median of $128,345 per year ($61.70/hour), lower than the Puerto Rico median.

Respiratory Therapists earnings in Puerto Rico vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 3,445,190 respiratory therapists in the U.S.. In Puerto Rico alone, approximately 750 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 1,700 respiratory therapists.

Respiratory Therapists in Puerto Rico vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Respiratory Therapists

Top Puerto Rico Metros for Respiratory Therapists

The metro areas below employ the most respiratory therapists in Puerto Rico.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 600 $33,800
Mayaguez, PR 70 $25,650
Ponce, PR 40 $24,800

Top States for Respiratory Therapists Employment

The table below shows the states where the most respiratory therapists work.

State Number Employed
California 18,310
Texas 11,860
Florida 8,840
New York 6,780
Ohio 6,460
Pennsylvania 5,850
Illinois 5,450
Georgia 5,030
North Carolina 4,440
Michigan 4,150
Indiana 3,330
Missouri 3,270
New Jersey 3,200
Tennessee 3,070
Arizona 3,070
Virginia 2,960
Kentucky 2,860
Louisiana 2,280
Alabama 2,250
Massachusetts 2,140

Highest-Paying States for Respiratory Therapists

These states pay the most for respiratory therapists.

State Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia $104,240
New York $103,820
California $102,120
New Jersey $98,020
Washington $97,150
Massachusetts $96,940
Oregon $96,130
Hawaii $94,670
Alaska $94,210
Minnesota $88,040

Skills

Key respiratory therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  3.6 / 5
0
5
Service Orientation  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service  4.3 / 5
0
5
Medicine and Dentistry  4.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.9 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.7 / 5
0
5
Psychology  3.4 / 5
0
5
Biology  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for respiratory therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, respiratory therapists typically:

  • Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
  • Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
  • 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.
  • Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
  • Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
  • Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
  • Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
  • Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
  • Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
  • Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
  • Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

Work Activities

  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Allied Health Professions

Careers similar to respiratory therapists include:

Also Known As

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Hospital Respiratory Therapist, Inhalation Therapist, NICU Respiratory Therapist (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Respiratory Therapist), Oxygen Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), Respiratory Therapist (RT), Staff Respiratory Therapist, Staff Therapist, Travel Registered Respiratory Therapist (Travel RRT), Travel Respiratory Therapist.

References

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