Becoming a Registered Respiratory Therapist

The respiratory therapist occupation is constantly expanding. In 2006, there were 112,000 respiratory therapy jobs. But that number is expected to increase substantially in coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in fact, predicts that this occupation will show a 19 percent increase within the decade of 2006 to 2016. This number represents a faster than average occupational growth rate.

But with this big growth rates come more competition for the best jobs in the field. Your best chance of career success, therefore, is to obtain an advanced degree in this field. But for even a better chance, you may want to consider becoming a registered respiratory therapist.

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

In simple terms, a respiratory therapist helps people to breathe better. But there is nothing simple about this job.

Some of the health conditions that respiratory therapists treat include:

Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Pneumonia
Emphysema

Respiratory therapists interview patients and assess their breathing conditions. They run diagnostic tests on them. They measure the oxygen levels in patient’s blood. They give routine and emergency medical treatments.

Many of these skills, of course, take advanced training in respiratory therapy.

Three Degree of Respiratory Therapy

The minimum educational requirement that you need to become a respiratory therapist is a 2-year associate’s degree. But this degree only qualifies you for an entry-level position in the field.

Because most people want advancement opportunities, they choose to pursue the advanced degrees of a bachelor’s and even a master’s degree in respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapy programs are responding to this trend by increasing the number of their advanced degree programs in respiratory therapy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “45 entry level and 334 advanced therapy degrees were accredited in the United States in 2006.”

Many colleges, universities, and medical schools offer advanced degrees in respiratory therapy.

The benefits of having an advanced degree in respiratory therapy are many. With a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, you may:

Exercise considerable independent judgment in the treatment of patients
Participate in respiratory care educational programs
Develop treatment plans
Monitor patients that are on ventilators and adjust the equipment accordingly

…and make other critical decisions in patient respiratory care.

Accredited Respiratory Therapy Programs

Before you register for any respiratory therapy program, make sure that it is accredited by either the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). In order for you to become registered later, you must have graduated from a respiratory program that has been accredited by at least one of these two agencies.