Thinking about becoming a Respiratory Therapist? Find out what goes into earning certification for this job and what the earnings are like. Discussed in this article are courses one must take to be a Respiratory Therapist and how you can find an accredited program near where you live. Deciding to enter into the health industry is a good idea as this is the largest industry in the nation. This ensures career availability as well as job security.

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Respiratory Therapists treat patients suffering from acute or chronic respiratory problems. Their job is to diagnose and attend to patients suffering from illnesses like asthma, tumors that restrict breathing, pleural cavity diseases and various other pulmonic diseases that inhibit normal respiratory health. To be eligible for entry level positions, one must study as a Respiratory Therapist for two years, earning an associates degree. For higher level positions a bachelor’s or master’s degree is required. Respiratory Therapy programs are no longer accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as mentioned on their 2010 Annual Report. So, if searching for an accredited Respiratory Therapy program, try visiting the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care instead.

Find Respiratory Therapist Schools

The job outlook for Respiratory Therapists is very good with positions opening up all over the nation. Some may have Respiratory Therapy Technicians that they supervise, though this position has a stagnant job outlook according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as more and more Respiratory Therapist are performing these duties themselves. They typically act as assistants who handle, clean and operate the equipment. It might be a good idea to find employment as a Respiratory Therapy Technician as you receive your degree of becoming a full-fledged Respiratory Therapists.

Respiratory Therapy Classes

Some of the courses required for those seeking a degree in this profession include Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Respiratory Care Therapeutics as well as plenty of hands-on training with common respiratory equipment in the lab. Once you’ve become a certified and licensed Respiratory Therapist, you can choose to specialize in various areas like asthma, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular perfusionist or as a sleep disorder specialist. You can also decide to work alongside scientists to research cures for respiratory diseases.

Earnings Report and Marketability

The average salary for Respiratory Therapists was $52,200 in May 2008 which is slightly above the median salary of an average American citizen. Pursuing a job in the allied health profession is definitely a worthwhile venture as there are plenty of positions available. Becoming a Respiratory Therapist guarantees CPR training which is a skill being included in all professions in the healthcare industry. This is among the most crucial and beneficial training one can have in the case of an emergency. Other basic skills healthcare professionals should have include Phlebotomy and quality patient interaction. Having these skills will make you more marketable in the job market while also expanding your usefulness in other areas.