Respiratory Therapist Career Guide

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Overview

Respiratory therapists (RTs) play a critical role on healthcare teams, whether responding to emergencies in the trauma unit, caring for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or working in pulmonary rehabilitation. If performing life-saving procedures sounds appealing, you might be well-suited for an RT career.

Respiratory therapists evaluate, care for and educate patients of all ages with lung and breathing disorders.

Education

Aspiring RTs must complete a degree at an accredited respiratory therapy education program. To ensure you qualify to take the national certification exam, confirm that it has accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The CoARC evaluates programs to ensure they meet quality standards. As of mid-March 2023, prospective students could choose from more than 400 accredited college and

Qualifications

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

Once you complete an accredited program, it’s time to earn your national respiratory therapy credential to demonstrate your qualifications. There are two certifications available through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC):

  • Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) is an entry-level certification

  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is an advanced certification

All candidates start with the Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam (TMC), which consists of 160

Skills

Respiratory therapists work as part of multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced environments. Some of the diverse skills you need to perform the job well include:

  • Ability to work calmly in high-pressure settings

  • Critical thinking skills to assess situations and make decisions

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

  • Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills to work with colleagues and patients

  • Patience, empathy and listening skills

  • Ability

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Responsibilities

Respiratory therapists are crucial in providing respiratory care and support to patients with breathing disorders. Specific job responsibilities of a respiratory therapist include but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Assessing and Diagnosing: Respiratory therapists evaluate patients with breathing difficulties, assessing their lung capacity, oxygen levels and overall respiratory function. They use diagnostic tools and tests to determine the nature and severity

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
Respiratory Therapist
$1,448-2,339/week

The average salary for a Respiratory Therapist is $1,906.27 per week.

Last updated on December 22, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

A respiratory therapy career can be professionally and personally rewarding. The following outlines some pros of this allied health profession.

Respiratory Therapy Is a Fast-Growing Field: Current and prospective RTs can look forward to a strong job market with increased demand for respiratory services and treatment in the coming years. The BLS forecasts a 14% growth in RT jobs in the United

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Respiratory Therapist Jobs


View job details for Travel Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Respiratory Therapist

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • ALOIS Healthcare
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights

$3,480/week

Posted 6 days ago
 Verified
View job details for Travel Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Respiratory Therapist

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • ADEX Healthcare Staffing LLC
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$3,363/week

Posted 3 days ago
View job details for Travel Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Respiratory Therapist

  • Libby, MT
  • Sunbelt Staffing
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights

$3,326/week

Posted 12 days ago
View job details for Travel Respiratory Therapist
Travel Contract

Travel Respiratory Therapist

  • Columbus, OH
  • Host Healthcare
  • 4x12 hrs, Nights
  • Referral Bonus

$3,245/week

Posted 3 days ago

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