Pediatric Respiratory Therapist Career Guide

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Overview

Pediatric Respiratory Therapists are healthcare professionals specialized in treating children with breathing and lung disorders. They play a crucial role in helping infants and children with conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and pneumonia breathe more easily and effectively.

Essential Job Functions:

Pediatric Respiratory Therapists assess, diagnose and treat respiratory conditions in children. They administer breathing treatments, manage mechanical ventilation,

Education

To become a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist, individuals typically need to complete an Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy. Some may opt for a Bachelor's degree for enhanced career prospects. Accredited respiratory therapy programs include both classroom education and clinical rotations.

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

After completing the educational requirements, aspiring Pediatric Respiratory Therapists must obtain state licensure or certification. They may need to pass the Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist certification (RRT-NPS) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and meet any additional state-specific requirements.

Skills

Staff and Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapists need strong communication skills to interact effectively with young patients and their families. They also require excellent critical thinking abilities to assess and manage complex respiratory cases in children.

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Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of Pediatric Respiratory Therapists include assessing and treating children with breathing difficulties, administering medications, monitoring patients on ventilators and educating families about home care and disease management.

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
$1,680-2,651/week

The average salary for a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist is $2,227.72 per week.

Last updated on November 17, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

Becoming a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist offers the rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of young patients by improving their respiratory health. It's a specialized field that allows professionals to focus exclusively on pediatric care.

However, the role can be emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with critically ill children. The job may involve irregular hours and high-pressure situations.

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Pediatric Respiratory Therapist Jobs


View job details for Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Next Move Healthcare
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$3,338/week

Posted 4 days ago
View job details for Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist

  • Minot, ND
  • Summit Medical Staffing Allied
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$3,222/week

Posted 10 days ago
View job details for Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Summit Medical Staffing Allied
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$3,207/week

Posted 10 days ago
View job details for Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Pediatric Respiratory Therapist

  • San Diego, CA
  • Talent4Health
  • 4x12 hrs, Days

$3,003/week

Estimated pay package
Posted 4 days ago

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