pulmonologist sits and reads xrays

The Difference Between a Pulmonologist and a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist CareerLeave a comment

If you enjoy helping people and don’t mind working long shifts, a career in the ever-expanding health care field may be an attractive prospect for you. You can make yourself invaluable to many health care employers by obtaining an education in pulmonology or respiratory therapy. While both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists treat patients with a wide range of respiratory conditions, there are several differences between these two professions. A pulmonologist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating respiratory system diseases. The respiratory system includes organs like your lungs, windpipe, throat and other parts of your body responsible for breathing. While most acute and short-lived diseases like the flu or pneumonia can be treated by regular doctors, patients with persistent cardiopulmonary issues are often referred to a pulmonologist. Pulmonologists can diagnose and treat many kinds of serious, complicated and often chronic lung diseases, like cystic fibrosis, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and more. Pulmonologists work in a variety of medical settings, from hospitals to private and group practices. They can also be found working in sleep labs where they aide patients with sleep disorders. Respiratory therapists are certified medical professionals that assist with the treatment and diagnosis of respiratory system diseases. RTs usually work alongside physicians, such as pulmonologists, and other medical doctors, physician assistants and nurses. They usually perform hands-on tasks to help patients who are struggling to breathe. A respiratory therapist’s job duties might include things like putting patients on ventilators, administering medications, performing diagnostic tests and examining patients with breathing difficulties and more. Like pulmonologists, respiratory therapists work in different hospital settings, such as emergency rooms and intensive care units. They also find employment in outpatient facilities like sleep labs. Both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists provide medical care to patients with breathing conditions. However, pulmonologists have more education, expertise and authority in treating patients compared to respiratory therapists. They also tend to have much higher salaries than respiratory therapists. Becoming a pulmonologist is a lengthy and expensive process that can take nearly a decade and involves both general and specialized training. Pulmonologists generally need to earn a four-year pre-med bachelor’s degree and a four-year medical school degree, followed by a three- to seven-year residency or internship. Becoming a respiratory therapist is much faster and usually takes four to eight semesters depending on the type of degree you’re pursuing. At an institution that offers several semesters each year, like St. Louis College of Health Careers, those degrees can be completed at an accelerated pace. Generally, respiratory therapists only need an associate degree to work with patients, but RTs with a bachelor’s degree are often favored since they have more education and expertise compared to their two-year associate degree counterparts. While a challenging and lengthy educational journey precedes becoming a pulmonologist, the salary is commensurate to both the time and monetary investment. As of December 2021, a doctor specializing in pulmonary medicine . However, these numbers can vary depending on location, certifications, years practiced and any additional skills or specialties the doctor possesses. The average annual salary for . Respiratory therapists are in high demand, with RT jobs expected to increase 23 percent by 2030. Pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy allows you to begin your career and earn a good paycheck far more quickly than someone who is pursuing a medical degree with a pulmonology focus. If you’re interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, a degree from the St. Louis College of Health Careers may help propel you toward a stable and rewarding career. We offer both in respiratory therapy to help you fulfill your professional goals. Our academically challenging and comprehensive programs can be completed entirely online so you don’t have to sacrifice valuable work time to attend on-campus classes. You can learn more about our programs by on our website.

medical team outside building

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Medical Assistant or Is a Certification Enough

Become A Medical AssistantLeave a comment

Working as a medical assistant doesn’t require extensive education, but you will likely need to complete a postsecondary training program. While it’s technically possible to become a medical assistant right out of high school and be taught skills on the job, many health care employers favor hiring candidates who have earned at least a medical assisting diploma or certification. A medical assisting diploma will give you plenty of theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills you’ll need to work as a medical assistant. You’ll learn important administrative and clinical skills to perform your duties successfully. Many medical assisting programs can be completed online, but on-campus classes are available as well. Consider a program that offers a variety of learning environments, like online classes, labs and an externship that will allow you to gain both theoretical and practical experience. Typically, earning a medical assisting diploma takes anywhere from 10 months to two years. Taking your education a step further by getting a medical assisting associate degree can set you apart from other job candidates. You’ll likely be considered more qualified for entry-level medical assisting positions and your scope of responsibilities may be more diverse and impactful. An associate degree is also a great steppingstone to furthering your education and advancing in your career. For example, holding a health care-related associate degree makes you eligible to pursue more advanced degrees in the future, like On average, a medical assisting associate degree takes four semesters to complete. This largely depends on your employer’s preferences and the state you wish to work in. For example, the state of Missouri . However, getting your certification helps you stand out among other job seekers and tells employers you’re committed to your new career. There are two exams you can choose from to become certified: . Both test your knowledge on topics like physiology, medical terminology and legal compliance. With growing numbers of aging baby boomers requiring medical care, the demand for medical services continues to be on the rise. As a result, the medical assistant profession is expected to . Medical assistants can be found in a wide range of medical settings. You’d likely be working at a doctor’s office, a hospital or an outpatient facility, such as a primary care clinic, urgent care or an ambulatory surgery center. Medical assistants may also find employment at dental clinics and nursing homes. If you’re interested in a career in the medical field, St. Louis College of Health Careers has the right programs to help you achieve your professional goals. We provide several educational opportunities for students seeking careers in health care, whether you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant or . Our accredited and comprehensive medical assistant programs prepare you for a rewarding career and make you eligible to take the national Certified Medical Assistant examination. Explore our programs to decide which option is best suited for your professional goals and aspirations. You can learn more about our programs on our website.