The responsibility of a respiratory therapist is to evaluate, treat and care for patients who suffer from breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.  They are the primary caregiver for these patients in regards to all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures.  They do work under the supervision and direction of a physician but handle the applications directly.  In addition to their duties in caring for patients, they also manage a group of respiratory therapy technicians who follow orders and handle more trivial tasks.  Respiratory therapists work one on one with doctors and other health care staff to develop and implement plans directed toward individual patients.

There are many types of patients that are treated by respiratory therapists.  They range from premature infants, to elderly patients to those who are on life support.  The common thread among the patients is the need for care directed to their lungs.  Individuals who suffer from chronic asthma and emphysema are also patients treated by the respiratory therapist.  They are responsible for providing temporary relief.  The therapists may also provide emergency services to patients involved in drowning, suffered from heart attacks or victims of a stroke.

It is extremely important for respiratory therapists to gather as much information as possible about a specific patient.  They perform many evaluations that include interviewing, physical examinations and diagnostic tests.  They determine a patients breathing capacity while testing the levels of oxygen and other gases in the blood stream.  It may also be necessary to test a patients pH levels in order to determine any levels of acidity and alkalinity of the blood.

Treatments for patients who are suffering from respiratory problems can include the use of oxygen mixtures, chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications.  The treatments are prescribed by the physicians and then implemented and monitored by the therapist.

Therapists are also stepping into roles that are not the customary roles of the past.  They often participate in programs that assist the patient in their home.  The go into the home and educate families and patients on the use and maintenance of ventilators and other life support machines.  In some hospitals respiratory therapists are now conducting informational classes on the dangers of smoking and educating of disease prevention.  They may also assist with patients in pulmonary rehabilitation and those who are experiencing breathing problems during sleep.  In some hospitals respiratory therapists also host counseling sessions to instruct, counsel and help diagnose individuals who may be suffering from breathing problems.

It is absolutely necessary for individuals choosing a career as a respiratory therapist to have formal training.  Education is available through colleges and universities, medical schools, community and vocational colleges as well as the Armed Forces.  An entry-level position requires a 2-year program or an associate’s degree while a bachelor’s degree is required for those seeking an advanced position as a respiratory therapist.  The number of associate degree programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Heath Education Programs is limited.  It is important for individuals to be aware of this information prior to enrolling into a specific school.

Students enrolling in this program will study a variety of courses.  Some of the areas of study include, human anatomy and physiology, path physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology and mathematics.  Courses that are geared directly toward the profession are therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the application of clinical practice guidelines, care for patients outside the hospitals, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory health promotion, disease prevention and medical record keeping and reimbursement.

Upon completion of any program, two credentials are awarded to respiratory therapists.  The credentials include Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).  Graduates who have successfully completed all postsecondary education courses can take an examination to become a CRT.  Once a respiratory therapist has completed this process and passes the examination, they have the option of increasing their title and responsibility by becoming a RRT.  In order to become an RRT or Registered Respiratory Therapist, additional levels of experience are required as well of the successful completion of two additional examinations.

Each state, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, require respiratory therapists to obtain a license before employment.  Licenses are disbursed by each individual state.  The majority of the states require a respiratory therapist to at least be accredited as a CRT. It is also necessary for therapists to maintain a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.  In order to obtain supervisory positions or to work in special care a therapist must be licensed as a RRT.

Respiratory therapy requires basic mathematical and problem solving skills.  It is important for high school students wishing to enter this field to participate in classes such as these as well as chemistry, physics and biology.  One of the most important jobs of the respiratory therapist is the ability to compute dosages of medications and being able to determine oxygen levels necessary for individual patients.

Many factors will determine the salaries of respiratory therapists.  Education and the level of certification (CRT or RRT) are a main difference in the level of responsibility and earnings.  Individuals who enter this position as a Certified Respiratory Therapist will earn considerably less than those who take the additional learning and examination to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist.  Places of employment as well as location of employment will also play a role in the average yearly salaries.

There are many different places for a respiratory therapist to be employed.  The majority work in hospitals but there is also a need for therapists in other companies and even at colleges and universities.  The salaries range from $38,000 per year to $77,000 per year.  The national average for therapists employed in hospitals is $38,000 per year.  Respiratory therapists that work for companies have the potential to earn an average of $41,600.  There is also a need for respiratory therapists to be employed by local, state and federal governments. These therapists earn $42,000 per year to $51,000 per year, depending on the government agency.  Respiratory therapists who start their own private practice or firm generally earn an average of $40,172 per year.  The greatest salaries go to those who are employed with colleges or universities.  They earn an average of $77,000 per year.

The city and state of employment may also determine the specific wage of a respiratory therapist.  Cities and states pay in accordance to the costs of living associated.  The yearly salaries range from $33,690 per year to $42,350 per year.  California tends to pay the highest average yearly salary while Texas therapists earn the lowest.  New York pays it’s respiratory therapists approximately $40,990 per year, rounding out the top highest paid states.  Michigan, Illinois and Ohio represent states with lower earnings.

Although the place of employment and the residence of employment tend to be factors in the average yearly earnings, therapists that excel at their job also have the tendency to make more.  Therapists who continue to advance in education by participating in continued courses and those branching out to offer course in smoking cessation and respiratory problems are likely to be compensated for the additional services.  Advancement opportunities in the form of supervisory and management positions are also available to those who are looking to add more responsibility.

Respiratory therapists primarily focus on the breathing problems that already exist in patients.  It is common now though to begin education courses in preventative measures.  Many therapists are utilizing their skills and knowledge to reach out to communities in this educational forum.