|
Respiratory therapists, also referred to as respiratory care practitioners, provide care, treatment, diagnosis, and rehabilitation for patients with breathing problems. Disorders such as asthma and emphysema, and emergency care for victims of stroke, heart failure, drowning, or shock are but a few of the types of problems seen by respiratory therapists.
repiratory therapist low.wmv
Note: Windows Media Player is required to play this file. Click here to download Windows Media Player.
Respiratory therapists may work in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, or private companies. They work with patients of all ages - from premature infants to elderly patients. Respiratory therapists work under the supervision of a physician. Respiratory therapists are trained to evaluate a patient’s condition and recommend therapies for treatment. They operate breathing devices to test the function of the lungs and they are trained to monitor their patient’s responses to therapy by checking vital signs and performing blood tests. Respiratory therapists teach proper breathing exercises to aid in a patient’s recovery. They evaluate and maintain patient charts. Respiratory therapists typically work 35-40 hours a week, which may include evenings and weekends. Because of the nature of their work, respiratory therapists may experience emergency type situations, and often perform duties while standing.
High school students should study health, biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics. Accredited training programs for respiratory therapists may either be a 2-year program leading to an associate degree or a 4-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Course work focuses on mathematics, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, and career specific classes. Upon completion of a 2-year or 4-year accredited program, graduates must receive a license as a respiratory care practitioner. They may take the exam to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Wisconsin mandates a license to practice, such as a CRT. If a CRT meets education and experience requirements, and passes a separate examination, they are eligible to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Madison Area Technical College
Mid-State Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Western Technical College
Average $45,820
American Association for Respiratory Care
9425 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100
Irving, TX, 75063-4706
972/243-2272
www.aarc.org
Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Rd.
Bedford, TX, 76021-4244
817/283-2835
www.coarc.com/
National Board For Respiratory Care, Inc.
18000 W. 105th St.
Olathe, KS, 66061-7543
888/341-4811 or 913/599-4200
www.nbrc.org
Home | Healthcare Occupations | WI Educational Institutions | Speakers and Mentors Bureau | Resource Library | Health Careers Consortium | Professional Organizations | Programs and Resources | Newsletters
|
