RT
Respiratory Therapist
Career Description:
- Under the direction of a Physician, evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing, heart and lung problems
- Analyze breath, sputum and blood specimens to determine lung function
- Monitor and maintain mechanical ventilation and airway devices (breathing machines and equipment) for patients who cannot breathe normally on their own
- Use hands-on treatments (physiotherapy) to help patients breathe better; manipulate chest to help release mucus and help patient to cough in order to improve their breathing
- Record patients’ treatments and progress in the medical chart
- Administer various medications to patients through inhalers
- Provide patient and community education, such as asthma education and smoking cessation classes
Work Environment:
- Most (4 out of 5) Respiratory Therapists work in hospitals
- May also work in outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and in patients’ homes
Working Conditions:
- May work full or part-time; hospital work may require day, evening, night, weekend and holiday work
- Work very closely with patients; high level of social contact as well as hands-on care
- Requires extended periods of standing and walking; requires lifting/moving of patients and equipment
- Work as part of a team with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers
- Exposure to diseases and infections is common; protective clothing such as gloves, masks gowns worn
Job Outlook:
- There are approximately 100,000 Respiratory Therapists in the U.S.; approximately 3000 Respiratory Therapists work in Massachusetts
- 57,000 open Respiratory Therapist positions are predicted between 2004-2014 in the U.S.; 28% growth
- Approximately 70 job openings for Respiratory Therapists are expected annually in MA through 2008; faster than average growth rate expected through 2012
Career Advancement:
- Can advance from general care to specialize* in:
- Critical care; Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation for those with long-term lung diseases
- Sleep studies; helping people with sleeping disorders
- Home care; Diagnostics
* Many of these specialties require additional certifications
- May advance into supervisory or management positions; may require advanced education
- Could specialize in teaching; requires advanced education
Earnings:
- Nationally, median annual earnings are $40,220.
- In Massachusetts, the hourly range for a Registered Respiratory Technologist (RRT) is: $22-$39/hr or $45,000- $80,000 annually.
- Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs)* earn less than RRTs; (approximately $20-$30/hr in Massachusetts or $41,000 - $62,000 annually).
Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.
* See educational requirements for more details and the differentiation between RRT and CRT.
Education/Training Required:
- 2-year Associates Degree and 4-year Bachelor’s degrees are available
- Course work includes: anatomy, physiology, microbiology and the study of procedures, equipment and clinical testing; hospital clinical training is also required
- National certification exams are required to be an entry-level therapist, known as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or “CRT.”
- Two separate exams and work experience are required to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist or “RRT.” Supervisory and intensive care specialties usually require the RRT.
- In Massachusetts, and in 48 other U.S. states, Respiratory Therapists are required to be licensed.
- Continuing education is required to maintain credentials.
Prerequisite Educational Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Completion of High School Biology class w/ Lab component and grade of “C” or better within last 5 years; OR
- Completion of High School Chemistry or Physics class with lab component and grade of “C” or better within the last 5 years
- Completion of 2 years of High School Algebra OR completion of 1 semester of College Algebra with a grade of “C” or better
Is this career for you?
- Are you compassionate; do you have the desire to help people?
- Are you comfortable with being very close to patients and touching them?
- Can you tolerate being around body fluids?
- Have you or could you successfully complete college Algebra and science courses such as Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology?
- Are you interested in working with mechanical equipment and computers?
- Are you able to provide excellent customer service even in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment?
- Are you interested in “lifetime learning”
For more information on this career visit:
Schools:
Schools for Respiratory Therapy-Mass Pulse
