A Guide To Respiratory Therapist Careers
Considering a career in medicine in today's world is a responsible choice, especially if you are looking for stability. Helping others in need can be a very rewarding experience. There is a multitude of options within the medical community for one to explore.
For someone that loves to work with technology and equipment as well as people, Respiratory Therapist Careers would be something to contemplate. A respiratory therapist is not only trained in patient care, respiratory health, but also how to use the high- end technology that has been invented to treat, maintain and in some cases keep people alive.
Career Outlook
The stability of a respiratory therapy career will be constant due to the increasing age of the baby boomers. As people age they begin to suffer from a variety of ailments and many experience disorders that will directly or indirectly affect their lungs. Pneumonia and /or COPD are also a common affliction of the older generation, keeping Respiratory Therapist Careers in high demand. As with most things, demand will dictate income. An RT can expect to make about $41,500 a year starting out, while the average respiratory therapist earns $56,000 a year.
The work setting for RT jobs are extremely varied. Maybe the most common is the hospital. Here Respiratory Therapist Careers take on a diverse role depending on the floor/ location that you are assigned. A medical/ surgical floor will have a respiratory therapist managing a range of diagnosis.
Job Description
They will administer respiratory treatments, perform percussion, obtain sputum samples or evaluate oxygen levels and adjust oxygen accordingly. In an intensive care unit, respiratory therapist jobs consist of adjusting and maintaining ventilators. These machines breathe for people that are unable to breathe for themselves. An RT must oversee this technology.
Other areas that employ a respiratory therapist include the emergency room, newborn and pediatrics floors, and operating rooms. Out side of the hospital, Respiratory Therapist Careers take on a more independent role. RT jobs in home health require the therapist to travel to a person home and provide the necessary care to hopefully prevent the patient from entering the hospital. Sleep laboratories require a respiratory therapist to administer and oversee sleep studies.
Education and Training Needed
In addition, many skilled long- term nursing facilities employ RTs. Educational requirements vary depending on ones position. You can enter this field with any of the following; associates degree, Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree. Of course, the more education, the more you can expect to earn. In addition, with the various degrees, you are able to grow and continue your education until you reach the goal you desire.
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