What Is a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapy is a relatively new profession whose origins date back to the mid-1940s. A respiratory therapist (RT) is a certified medical professional that assists in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary issues, which are conditions affecting the heart and lungs. Examples of such conditions include asthma, emphysema, collapsed lungs, pneumonia and more. RTs provide care to patients of all ages, from infants to elderly individuals. Respiratory therapists are often part of a multidisciplinary team and work alongside doctors and nurses to take care of a patient’s breathing. There are several types of respiratory therapies, and an RT can have more than one specialty. This type of respiratory therapy involves working in a fast-paced hospital environment, such as an emergency room or intensive care unit. RTs who work in emergency settings use ventilators to treat patients on life support or those with pneumonia. This form of therapy focuses on treating infants and children with cardiopulmonary problems. Pediatric RTs can work in inpatient and outpatient environments. As the name implies, adult respiratory therapy involves treating adult patients affected by chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, like emphysema or cystic fibrosis. Adult RTs also help those trying to quit smoking and can work in hospitals, outpatient facilities or a patient’s homes. Geriatric RTs work with elderly patients to increase their breathing efficiency and treat a variety of breathing problems, like respiratory tract infections or pneumonia. Geriatric RTs usually work in hospitals and outpatient facilities, but they may also perform in-home services or work for assisted living, nursing or memory care facilities. To become an RT, you will need to obtain at least an associate degree in respiratory therapy. While an associate degree may be enough to help you get your foot in the door, many employers may give preference to candidates with a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. If you’re determined to build a long-term career in the RT field, it may be in your best interests to invest in a bachelor’s degree. Apart from obtaining a degree, you will also need to get a respiratory therapy state license and pass a national or state examination, such as the Registered Respiratory Therapist Exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. According to the , the average annual salary for respiratory therapists is $62,810. This number is expected to grow along with RT employment opportunities, which are projected to increase by a whopping 23 percent by 2030. If you’re considering becoming a respiratory therapist, a degree from the St. Louis College of Health Careers may help you pursue the career of your dreams. Whether you’re just beginning your educational journey or wish to further develop your skills, we offer both in respiratory therapy to help you reach your professional goals. Our St. Louis and Fenton campuses provide boundless opportunities for students to gain academic knowledge and the hands-on skills they will need to perform their jobs successfully. You can learn more about our programs by calling us at 866-529-2070 or by on our website.