What Does it Take to Be a Respiratory Therapist?
Example of Respiratory Therapist Job Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Life As a Respiratory Therapist: What Do They Do?
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
- Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Monitor patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians’ orders.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians’ orders.
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Qualities of a Respiratory Therapist
These are the skills Respiratory Therapists say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Respiratory Therapy Director
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)
Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 130,200 jobs in the United States for Respiratory Therapist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,400 new jobs for Respiratory Therapist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Respiratory Therapist are Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maryland, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Respiratory Therapist
The typical yearly salary for Respiratory Therapists is somewhere between $43,750 and $83,520.
Respiratory Therapists who work in California, Alaska, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Respiratory Therapists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,770 |
| Alaska | $76,610 |
| Arizona | $58,420 |
| Arkansas | $52,050 |
| California | $79,640 |
| Colorado | $63,070 |
| Connecticut | $70,410 |
| Delaware | $67,950 |
| District of Columbia | $78,540 |
| Florida | $57,960 |
| Georgia | $57,520 |
| Hawaii | $71,460 |
| Idaho | $57,700 |
| Illinois | $60,500 |
| Indiana | $55,610 |
| Iowa | $53,870 |
| Kansas | $55,080 |
| Kentucky | $49,890 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 |
| Maine | $59,410 |
| Maryland | $67,660 |
| Massachusetts | $73,660 |
| Michigan | $57,040 |
| Minnesota | $67,190 |
| Mississippi | $49,220 |
| Missouri | $56,320 |
| Montana | $57,310 |
| Nebraska | $55,560 |
| Nevada | $73,530 |
| New Hampshire | $66,570 |
| New Jersey | $73,390 |
| New Mexico | $58,200 |
| New York | $74,890 |
| North Carolina | $56,620 |
| North Dakota | $57,720 |
| Ohio | $56,830 |
| Oklahoma | $54,540 |
| Oregon | $69,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,970 |
| Rhode Island | $67,060 |
| South Carolina | $55,990 |
| South Dakota | $51,510 |
| Tennessee | $51,400 |
| Texas | $59,930 |
| Utah | $61,480 |
| Vermont | $66,260 |
| Virginia | $60,200 |
| Washington | $69,540 |
| West Virginia | $50,420 |
| Wisconsin | $62,150 |
| Wyoming | $57,960 |
What Tools do Respiratory Therapists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Respiratory Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- HMS
Becoming a Respiratory Therapist
What kind of Respiratory Therapist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
Where Respiratory Therapists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Respiratory Therapists work:
References:
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