With the most recent global pandemic, respiratory therapists came to the forefront of the healthcare line. Do you know what a respiratory therapist (RT) is? According to the American Association for respiratory care, “A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare professional that is trained in the cardiopulmonary system, working therapeutically with patients suffering from cardiopulmonary diseases.” After completing an accredited Respiratory Therapy program, RTs obtain their credentials by sitting for board exams administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care. They can obtain multiple certifications such as the standard of practice, “Registered Respiratory Therapist” (RRT). They can also specialize in specific fields: pulmonary function testing, adult critical care, neonatal/pediatric, sleep disorders, and asthma educators. Once a credential is obtained, the practitioner must become licensed in each state of practice.
There are respiratory therapists in multiple settings. RTs work closely with nurses and physicians to take excellent care of patients with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. They work in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health, physician offices, rehabilitation centers, and insurance and pharmaceutical companies for around 8-12 hours. When working in the hospital setting, they work all over the hospital. They administer nebulized medication, set up monitoring equipment and work cardiac arrest emergencies. Many provide patient education regarding medication, disease processes, and equipment use. Respiratory therapists play an important role in healthcare, from evaluating patients to providing physical exams to placing patients on mechanical ventilators.
There are career advancement opportunities in the respiratory therapy profession. RTs that excel as staff RTs typically stand out and rise into departmental leadership or hospital administration roles.
If respiratory therapists find home care their passion, they can branch out and start their own respiratory home care companies. Respiratory therapists have invaluable clinical and technical knowledge that enables them to take positions within equipment manufacturing or equipment specialist positions. These companies are always looking for these specific skill sets. Lastly, some may continue sharing their invaluable knowledge with the next generation of respiratory therapists by taking on a faculty position at a local respiratory therapy school. If respiratory therapy interests you, there are ways to advance in this career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the respiratory therapy profession “is projected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2021 there were approximately 135,800 respiratory therapists. By 2031, that number is estimated to rise to 154,200,” With advances in medical technology, babies can now be born earlier than ever. When premature babies are born, they may require the assistance of a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe until their lungs are mature enough to do it on their own. Respiratory therapists are the professionals that manage those mechanical ventilators. Another primary reason for this growth is the increase in the geriatric population. This leads to increased incidences of pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases, such as lung cancer—a leading cause of death in the United States. Respiratory therapists treat, evaluate, and educate patients from birth to death, which we need more of.
