Working as a Respiratory Therapist

In today's hectic society, it is easy for people to get caught up in their lives and take some of life's essentials for granted. For example, most fortunate people out there probably don't think twice when taking a breath of fresh air.

That process, however, isn't necessarily so easy for everyone. Some people have trouble breathing, or deal with other cardiopulmonary disorders, and it is the respiratory therapists that ensure they are able to live as normal a life as possible.

What they do:

Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders or cardiovascular problems. They are specialists in airway management, mechanical ventilation, and acid-base balance. Respiratory therapists practice under the direction of a physician and are held primarily responsible for all respiratory-care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures.

There are a number of conditions and disorders that can cause breathing problems in patients, and lead them to see a respiratory therapist. These include bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Multisystematic conditions like heart attacks and strokes can have respiratory components as well.

Sometimes, in cases such as emphysema and asthma, respiratory therapists will work to provide temporary relief for chronic conditions in their patient. At other times, in cases such as heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock, respiratory therapists will be forced to provide emergency care to their patient.

Respiratory therapists have a number of different duties. According to the American Medical Association, these include assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients, establishing therapeutic goals for patients with cardiopulmonary disease and evaluating data to assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care.

Respiratory therapists initiate prescribed respiratory care treatments, evaluate and monitor patient responses to such therapy, and modify the prescribed therapy to achieve the desired therapeutic objectives. On a broader scale, respiratory therapists are also responsible for providing patient, family, and community education, as well as promoting cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention, and disease management.

The vast majority of respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Typical weekly workloads are 35 to 40 hours per week, though work may include evenings, nights, or weekends given that hospitals operate 24 hours a day. There is some available work outside of a hospital setting. Such areas include physician practices, nursing homes, respiratory therapy clinics or home health care settings.

What they need:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an associate degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a bachelor's or master's degree is often important for advancement. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools, vocational-technical institutes, and the armed forces. Respiratory therapists are also required to carry a license in all states other than Alaska and Hawaii. Licensure is based on meeting the requirements of the National Board for Respiratory Care.

What they earn:

The average salary for a medical coder is $57,280, according to CBsalary.com. The 25^th and 75^th percentiles of salaries fall between $43,311 and $71,802, respectively.