Asthma is the most common respiratory condition in children, and millions of people are diagnosed with the disease. Respiratory therapists are in demand, and those who enjoy travel can move from city to city treating patients with respiratory illnesses. Traveling respiratory therapists are given assignments that last for weeks or months. They are flown to the site of the assignment and given accommodations and allowances during their stay. This career is fast-paced, and it has the benefits of working in the health care industry while seeing different cities in the United States.
Significance
Respiratory therapists are trained and specialize in pulmonary diseases and chronic illnesses. The therapist's job is to work alongside a physician to help treat patients. A traveling respiratory therapist has the same function, but the clinician is placed on assignment for a designated period of time. After the assignment is complete, the traveling respiratory therapist is flown to a different city and placed on a new assignment. Therefore, the traveling respiratory therapist does not stick to one location in his career.
Requirements
A traveling respiratory therapists is a licensed practitioner. The educational requirements for a respiratory therapist is an associate's degree. For most full-time college students, an associate's degree requires 2 years of school. If the student goes part-time, this may take longer. After college, the respiratory therapist is required to take the Certification for Respiratory Therapy Examination (CRT), which is administered through the National Board of Respiratory Care (see resource). Once she passes the exam, the student receives her license to practice.
Cost
The cost of becoming a traveling respiratory therapist is dependent upon the school at which you attend. Each technical college has different charges per credit hour. These colleges require payment each semester, but many have financial aid assistance to help with the associated educational costs. In addition, the board certification exam costs $130.
Salary
Salary is determined by the location of the assignment. Traveling respiratory therapists with experience can also demand higher salaries. The median salary of a traveling respiratory therapist is approximately $55,000 a year. This figure can increase with experience, and it may be lower in some small, rural areas of the United States.
Potential
Job potential for a traveling respiratory therapist is higher than those who want to stay in a certain location. Since respiratory illnesses and chronic disease are prominent, the use of respiratory clinicians is common in several cities. The traveling respiratory therapist can find jobs through the college at which he graduates. Several recruiters also work with hospitals and clinics to help find traveling respiratory therapists for hire.
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