Respiratory Therapy Schools - CRT And RRT Programs
A guide to respiratory therapy schools. Respiratory therapists work with doctors, nurses and other health professionals to help patients with any lung condition like lung cancer, emphysema, COPD, asthma and chronic bronchitis with the use of various therapies and ventilation machines.
To work in this field there are specific education and licensing requirements. Degrees required: associates, bachelors, masters (MPH), and doctorate (PhD and EdD).
Respiratory Therapy Schools - CRT, RRT
Specialties in this field can be acquired through extra training and include pediatrics(CRT-NPS) and even sleep study techs. These degrees provide the student with the eligibility to take required exams from the NBRC and gain the credentials to become a licensed CRT, RRT or MPH.
Respiratory therapy schools are not easy to get into as the admissions process is highly competitive in this field. The following is a breakdown of the basic requirements for becoming a respiratory therapist.
CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) requires a 2 year Associates of Applied Science degree supported by the CoARC or CAAHEP and is the minimum requirement to work in this field. RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) requires the CRT credential, a 4 or 5 year Bachelors degree and additional exams administered by the NBRC.
RRTs can gain supervisory level promotions and employment as well as work with the more critically ill patients. MPH (Master of Public Health) requires the CRT and RRT credentials plus a Masters degree.
The temperament of the respiratory therapist should be that of compassion and sensitivity as they are dealing with patients having breathing difficulties ranging from newborns to the elderly. Respiratory therapist schools provide the student with the appropriate tools and training to help patients with respiratory care and to cope with chronic lung conditions by administering the therapies available to them.
Employment and Salary Range
The respiratory therapist can work in the ER, ICU, NICU, PICU, the OR, nursing facilities, respiratory clinics, doctors' offices, in home care and even sleep clinics. The starting salary range for this field is around $30,000 to $60,000 depending on your education and location. Respiratory therapist programs in online and offline colleges and universities include such courses as:
- Healthcare Law
- Medical Ethics
- Diagnostics
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Anatomy
- Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Advanced Gas Physics
- Studies of Body Systems - Respiratory, Renal, Cardiovascular and Neurological
Popular Respiratory Therapist Schools
The more popular online respiratory therapist schools are Kaplan College, Capella University, University of Phoenix, Walden University and Loyola University. These online respiratory therapy schools provide the education required according the state laws and regulations of the student taking the course. Currently, Alaska and Hawaii are the only two states that do not require licensure after training in this field. Before attending any respiratory therapist schools make sure they are accredited by the proper authorities that govern this education and career.
| 
