What Does it Take to Be a Respiratory Therapy Technician?
Respiratory Therapy Technician Definition Provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
Respiratory Therapy Technician Responsibilities
- Teach patients how to use respiratory equipment at home.
- Follow and enforce safety rules applying to equipment.
- Use ventilators or various oxygen devices or aerosol and breathing treatments in the provision of respiratory therapy.
- Administer breathing or oxygen procedures, such as intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments, ultrasonic nebulizer treatments, or incentive spirometer treatments.
- Keep records of patients’ therapy, completing all necessary forms.
- Assess patients’ response to treatments and modify treatments according to protocol if necessary.
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Things a Respiratory Therapy Technician Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Respiratory Therapy Technicians say are important on the job.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Types of Respiratory Therapy Technician
- Respiratory Therapy Technologist
- Oxygen Equipment Technician
- Respiratory Technician
- Pulmonary Function Technician (PF Technician)
- Registered Respiratory Technician
What Kind of Respiratory Therapy Technician Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 10,800 jobs for Respiratory Therapy Technician in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Respiratory Therapy Technician.
The states with the most job growth for Respiratory Therapy Technician are Maryland, Texas, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Illinois, or Indiana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Respiratory Therapy Technician Make?
Respiratory Therapy Technicians make between $31,240 and $73,530 a year.
Respiratory Therapy Technicians who work in Nevada, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Respiratory Therapy Technicians make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,740 |
| Arizona | $58,900 |
| Arkansas | $47,050 |
| California | $48,150 |
| Colorado | $42,070 |
| Connecticut | $54,680 |
| Florida | $49,670 |
| Georgia | $48,160 |
| Hawaii | $58,770 |
| Illinois | $56,340 |
| Indiana | $49,780 |
| Iowa | $44,690 |
| Kansas | $45,390 |
| Kentucky | $42,850 |
| Louisiana | $49,010 |
| Maryland | $61,220 |
| Massachusetts | $60,060 |
| Michigan | $38,420 |
| Mississippi | $45,730 |
| Missouri | $53,470 |
| Nebraska | $46,820 |
| Nevada | $78,380 |
| New Hampshire | $51,850 |
| New Jersey | $64,260 |
| New York | $56,780 |
| Ohio | $46,980 |
| Oregon | $55,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,430 |
| South Carolina | $49,520 |
| Tennessee | $40,560 |
| Texas | $51,930 |
| Utah | $49,680 |
| Virginia | $52,830 |
| Washington | $58,190 |
| West Virginia | $51,700 |
| Wisconsin | $37,290 |
What Tools do Respiratory Therapy Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Respiratory Therapy Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Patient electronic medical record EMR software
How do I Become a Respiratory Therapy Technician?
Individuals working as a Respiratory Therapy Technician have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapy Technician?
Where do Respiratory Therapy Technicians Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those who work as a Respiratory Therapy Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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