Respiratory Therapist Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

There is nothing more essential to continuing human life than oxygen. Without being able to breathe it in, we can no supply its life giving properties to our blood and organs. Without oxygen, our brain would slowly starve, and as a result all of our other bodily functions would cease to operate as they should. Whenever a person develops a breathing problem, or has an illness or injury that settles in their lungs, it is very serious, and it is often necessary to enlist the help of a respiratory therapist. Responsible for testing the capacity of the lungs and evaluating oxygen levels in the blood to the levels that are demanded by height, weight and age, respiratory therapists can help to diagnose and treat conditions that make it hard for people to breathe properly. It is important for respiratory therapists to work well in a laboratory setting and be familiar with modern research equipment.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$39,700
Salary Range
$29,000 to $48,800

Work Environment

In almost every case, the respiratory therapist works in a hospital setting where they are close to the patients that need their services and the equipment that they need to perform their job correctly. However, there are some circumstances which have provided jobs for respiratory therapists at nursing homes, private doctor’s practices, and specialty respiratory clinics and research facilities.

High School Preparation

Those individuals that think they might enjoy the responsibilities of a respiratory therapist are encouraged to spend their high school career increasing their knowledge of biology, anatomy, and emergency medicine. Other supporting subjects for this line of work are mathematics, chemistry, physics, and computer skills.

Requirements

Following completion of their high school curriculum, the aspiring respiratory therapist is required to choose whether they would like to pursue the path of a certified respiratory therapy technician or a registered respiratory therapist. At the certification level, a student might be able to complete their specialty training in about one academic year, however, the possible pay is always higher for a student who chooses the two year program and achieves the level of registered respiratory therapist. Those who seek the status of registered respiratory therapist must satisfactorily complete the requirements of a national examination.

Career Outlook

As the medical field struggles to keep up with the mounting needs of an aging population, there is expected to be a significant increase in the number of jobs that are available for qualified respiratory therapists. Elderly people are more susceptible to illnesses and diseases that are transferred through the air, and once infected these people are often unable to fight the sickness off on their own.
Professional Organizations

American Association of Respiratory Care

11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
Phone: (972) 243-2272
www.aarc.org