Respiratory Therapy
An associate degree has become the general requirement for
entry into this field.
Hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority
of respiratory therapists, but a growing number of therapists will work in other
settings.
Job opportunities will be very good, especially for therapists with
cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with newborns and infants.
Respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians-also
known as respiratory care practitioners-evaluate, treat, and care for patients
with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists, practicing
under physician direction, assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care
therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of
respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific,
well-defined respiratory care procedures, under the direction of respiratory therapists
and physicians. In clinical practice, many of the daily duties of therapists and
technicians overlap, although therapists generally have greater responsibility
than technicians. For example, respiratory therapists will primarily consult with
physicians and other healthcare staff to help develop and modify individual patient
care plans. Respiratory therapists are also more likely to provide complex therapy
requiring considerable independent judgment, such as caring for patients on life
support in hospital intensive care units. In this statement, the term respiratory
therapists includes both respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians.
To evaluate patients, respiratory therapists interview them, perform limited
physical examinations, and conduct diagnostic tests. Fore example, respiratory
therapists test patients' breathing capacity and determine the concentration of
oxygen and other gases in patients' blood. They also measure patients' pH, which
indicates the acidity and alkalinity level of the blood. To evaluate a patient's
lung capacity, respiratory therapists have the patient breathe into an instrument
that measure the volume and flow of oxygen during inhalation and exhalation. By
comparing the reading with the norm for the patient's age, height, weight, and
sex, respiratory therapists can provide information that helps determine whether
the patient has any lung deficiencies. To analyze oxygen, carbon dioxide, and
pH levels, therapists draw an arterial blood sample, place it in a blood gas analyzer,
and relay the results to a physician. Physicians rely on data provided by respiratory
therapists to make treatment decisions.
Respiratory therapists treat all
types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed
to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. Respiratory therapists provide temporary
relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care
to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock.
To
treat patients, respiratory therapists use oxygen or oxygen mixtures, chest physiotherapy,
and aerosol medications, When a patient has difficulty getting enough oxygen into
their blood, therapists increase the patient's concentration of oxygen by placing
an oxygen mask or nasal cannula on a patient and set the oxygen flow at the level
prescribed by the physician. Therapists also connect patients who cannot breathe
on their own to ventilators that deliver pressurized oxygen into the lungs. The
therapists insert a tube into the patient's trachea, or windpipe; connect the
tube to the ventilator; and set the rate, volume, and oxygen mixture entering
the patient's lungs.
Therapists perform regular checks on patients and
equipment. If the patient appears to be having difficulty, or if the oxygen, carbon
dioxide, or pH level of the blood is abnormal, therapists change the ventilator
setting according to the doctor's orders or check the equipment for mechanical
problems. In home care, therapists teach patients and their families to use ventilators
or other life-support systems. In addition, therapists visit patients several
times a month to inspect and clean equipment and to ensure its proper use. Therapists
also make emergency visits if equipment problems arise.
Respiratory therapists
perform chest physiotherapy on patients to remove mucus from their lungs and make
it easier for them to breathe. For example, during surgery, anesthesia depresses
respiration, so chest physiotherapy may be prescribed to help get the patient's
lungs back to normal and to prevent congestion. Chest physiotherapy also helps
patients suffering from lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, that cause mucus
to collect in the lungs. Therapists place patients in positions that help drain
mucus, and then they thump and vibrate the patients' rib cages and instruct the
patients to cough.
Respiratory therapists also administer aerosols-liquid
medications suspended in a gas that forms a mist which is inhaled-and teach patients
how to inhale the aerosol properly to ensure its effectiveness.
In some
hospitals, therapists perform tasks that fall outside their traditional role.
Therapists' tasks are expanding into cardiopulmonary procedures such as taking
electrocardiograms and administering stress tests, as well as other areas-for
example, drawing blood samples from patients. Therapists also keep records of
materials used and charges to patients.
Respiratory therapists generally
work between 35 and 40 hours a week. Because hospitals operate around the clock,
therapists may work evenings, nights, or weekends. They spend long periods standing
and walking between patients' rooms. In an emergency, therapists work under a
great deal of stress. Respiratory therapists employed in home healthcare must
travel frequently to the homes of patients.
Respiratory therapists are
trained to work with gases stored under pressure that can be hazardous. Adherence
to safety precautions and regular maintenance and testing of equipment minimize
the risk of injury. As in many other health occupations, respiratory therapists
run a risk of catching an infectious disease, but carefully following proper procedures
minimizes this risk.
Respiratory therapists held about 112,000 jobs in
2002. More than 4 out of 5 jobs were in hospital departments of respiratory care,
anesthesiology, or pulmonary medicine. Most of the remaining jobs were found in
offices of physicians or other health practitioners, consumer goods rental firms
that supply respiratory equipment for home use, nursing care facilities, and home
healthcare services. Holding a second job is relatively common for respiratory
therapists. About 17 percent held another job, compared with 5 percent of workers
in all occupations.
Formal training is necessary for entry into this
field. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities,
and the Armed Forces. An associate degree has become the general requirement for
entry into this field. Most programs award associate or bachelor's degrees and
prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists. Other programs
award associate degrees or certificates and lead to jobs as entry level respiratory
therapists. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs (CAAHEP), 59 entry level and 319 advanced respiratory therapy programs
are presently accredited in the United States, including Puerto Rico. FCCJ is
an advanced level, accredited program.
Areas of study in respiratory therapy
programs include human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics,
microbiology, pharmacology, and mathematics. Other courses deal with therapeutic
and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, application of clinical practice guidelines, patient care outside
of hospitals, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory health promotion
and disease prevention, and medical recordkeeping and reimbursement.
More
than 40 states, including Florida, license respiratory care personnel. Aspiring
respiratory care practitioners should check on licensure requirements with the
board of respiratory care examiners for the Sate in which they plan to work. Also,
most employers require respiratory therapists to maintain a cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) certification.
The National Board for Respiratory
Care (NBRC) offers voluntary certification and registration to graduates of programs
accredited by CAAHEP or the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Two credentials are awarded to respiratory therapists who satisfy the requirements:
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
Graduates from accredited programs in respiratory therapy may take the CRT examination.
CRTs who meet education and experience requirements can take two separate examinations
leading to the award of the RRT credential. The CRT examination is the standard
in the States requiring licensure.
Most employers require applicants for
entry level or generalist positions to hold the CRT of at least be eligible to
take the certification examination. Supervisory positions and intensive care specialties
usually require the RRT eligibility.
Therapists should be sensitive to
patients' physical and psychological needs. Respiratory care practitioners must
pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and work as part of a team. In addition,
operating advanced equipment requires proficiency with computers.
High
school students interested in a career in respiratory care should take courses
in health, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Respiratory care involves
basic mathematical problem solving and an understanding of chemical and physical
principles. For example, respiratory care workers must be able to compute dosages
of medication and calculate gas concentrations.
Respiratory therapists
advance in clinical practice by moving from general care to care of critical patients
who have significant problems in other organ systems, such as the heart or kidneys.
Respiratory therapists, especially those with 4 year degrees, may also advance
to supervisory or managerial positions in a respiratory therapy department. Respiratory
therapists in home healthcare and equipment rental firms may become branch managers.
Some respiratory therapists advance by moving into teaching positions.
Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially
for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working
with infants. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster
than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, because of substantial
growth in numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population-a development that
will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.
Older Americans
suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia,
chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the
need for respiratory therapists will increase as well. In addition, advances in
treating victims of heart attacks, accident victims, and premature infants (many
of whom are dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment) will increase
the demand for the services of respiratory care practitioners.
Although
hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of therapists, a growing number
can expect to work outside of hospitals in home healthcare services, offices of
physicians or other health practitioners, or consumer goods rental firms.
Median
annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $40,220 in 2002. The middle 50
percent earned between $34,430 and $46,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less
than $30,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $54,030. In general
medical and surgical hospitals, median annual earnings of respiratory therapists
were $40,390 in 2002.
Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians
were $34,130 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,460 and $41,140.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,230, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $47,800. Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians employed
in general medical and surgical hospitals were $24,210 in 2002.
Disclaimer:
Links to non-BLS Internet
sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endoresment.
Information concerning a career in respiratory care is available from:
American
Association for Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd
Suite 100
Irving,
TX 75063-4706
http://www.aarc.org
For
a list of accredited educational programs for respiratory care practitioners,
contact:
Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs
39
East Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60601
http://www.caahep.org
Committee
on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Rd
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
Information
on gaining credentials in respiratory care and a list of State licensing agencies
can be obtained from:
National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc
8310
Nieman Rd
Lenexa, KS 66214-1579
http://www.nbrc.org
Florida
Board of Respiratory Care
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mga/respiratory
Information from:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S.
Department of Labor
Occupational Outlook Handbook
2004-05
Edition
Respiratory Therapists
http://www.bis.gov/oco/ocos084.htm
FCCJ
Catalog description
