Respiratory therapists, also called respiratory care practitioners, promote the optimal health and functioning of the cardiopulmonary system. They prevent, identify, and treat acute or chronic dysfunctions using scientific principles. Respiratory therapists are also involved in disease management and the promotion of respiratory health and wellness. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. However, they are also employed in clinics, physician's offices, nursing homes, laboratories, public schools and as educators in colleges and universities.
Education
The minimum standard for entry into the field of respiratory care is an associates degree. Respiratory-care programs are offered at technical and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities. They are designed to train competent therapists to care for patients. As of 2009, there are 300 associate, 50 baccalaureate and 3 graduate level degree programs in the United States.
Credentials
In addition to graduating from an accredited respiratory care degree program, respiratory therapists must sit for credentialing examinations. There are two levels of general clinical practice credentialing examinations for a respiratory therapist. The entry level is the CRT, or certified respiratory therapist, and the advanced level is the RRT, or registered respiratory therapist. The National Board of Respiratory Care is the agency that certifies individuals that work in the field of respiratory care. They are responsible for all examination standards and policies.
Licensure
Respiratory therapists are required to have governmental permission to practice their occupation. They must demonstrate that they are competent in order to protect public health, safety and welfare. Each state has different laws which are enforced by state agencies. It is a crime to practice respiratory therapy without the appropriate state licensure in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Future of Respiratory Therapy
Career opportunities are rapidly expanding for respiratory therapists. Employment in the field is expected to grow by more than 19 percent through 2016, which is faster than average according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Future increases in the general and elderly populations, as well as increases in respiratory disorders, will drive demand for respiratory therapy. The role of the respiratory therapist is also expected to expand in areas such as disease prevention and management, emergency care and early detection of cardiopulmonary disorders. Such role expansion will require an increased level of knowledge and skills; it will become necessary for respiratory therapists to acquire baccalaureate and graduate level education.
References
- American Association for Respiratory Care
- National Board For Respiratory Care
- Fundamentals of Respiratory Care; Robert L. Wilkins et al.; 2009
