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.

Becoming a Registered Respiratory Therapist

To become a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), you must have:

  • Graduated from an advanced respiratory therapy program that has been accredited by either the CoARC or the CAAHEP.
  • Have earned a certified respiratory therapist license (CRT)
  • Have passed two exams. One of these is a written exam and the other is a clinical simulation exam

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) oversees both the CRT and the RRT licensing procedures.

Top Respiratory Therapist Schools

  • Grand Canyon University

    If you are driven to pursue a higher standard of success and require flexibility in your schedule to get there, Grand Canyon University, one of the Top 10 Christian colleges, is the right choice for you! GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students, as well as the working professional. With our cutting-edge curriculum, you will gain the real-world experience you need to succeed in today’s global marketplace. Online and campus-based bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are offered through the College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ken Blanchard College of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts.

  • Platt College

    Find out where the future can take you with an outstanding college education. At Platt College, you’ll find the career-specific programs and training for the careers you really want. Come explore a variety of career paths that fit your lifestyle in a positive learning environment that combines real-world experience with small, private college instruction.

  • Carrington College

    Carrington College®, a recognized leader in private education, opened in 1976 and currently provides practical, real-world education to more than 4,000 students annually. Carrington College® offers small classes with hands-on learning taught by experienced faculty.

  • ATI Career Training Center

    For more than three decades, ATI has operated schools throughout Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma with the primary objective of preparing its graduates for rewarding careers. These exciting employment opportunities include such fields as health care, personal fitness and wellness, business technology, information technology, automotive repair, air conditioning and refrigeration repair, and welding.

    At ATI you are a member of our extended family. Faculty and staff work with you to achieve your educational and career training objectives and secure the necessary skills you need to be successful in today’s competitive workplace environment.

    We have the experience, the tools, the instructors and the student support and benefits to help you change your life and earn a new career! Make today “the first day of the rest of your life” & make the call that will change your life and get you on the right track toward a rewarding future.

  • Sanford-Brown Institute

    Sanford-Brown can help prepare you for a rewarding career in health and dental care, business, paralegal, criminal justice or information technology. With nearly 20 campuses in the Sanford-Brown Institute and Sanford-Brown College divisions, selecting a school that suits your particular career training and education needs is easy.

  • Sanford-Brown College

    For over 140 years, Sanford-Brown College has provided career-oriented postsecondary educational programs. Our institution offers focused, innovative, quality short-term programs in the fields of business and healthcare. At Sanford-Brown, we have focused our study programs, which enable you the opportunity to develop your skills effectively to meet your specific career goals. Plus, our programs focus on the essential concepts and skills most employers look for in entry-level employees. Our goal is to provide you with the practical information and experience you need to get your foot in the door. The secret to our success is that we do not require students to take courses that are not directly supportive of their career goals.

  • Concorde Career College

    With over 15 years of experience in preparing adults for rewarding careers, Concorde is a recognized leader in training Healthcare Professionals. We offer short, manageable programs with day and evening classes to fit your busy schedule.

  • Kaplan Career Institute

    At Kaplan Career Institute, we provide affordable, career-focused programs that not only meet the demands of the market, but also the demands of your busy life. We offer day and evening classes to accommodate your busy schedule. Our accelerated curricula give you the opportunity to earn a diploma in as little as 9 to 15 months or an associate’s degree in less than 2 years. Our instructors have professional experience and provide an inside look into some of today’s hottest careers.

    Kaplan Higher Education or its authorized agents and representatives may contact me via email or telephone to discuss these and other educational opportunities in the future.

  • American Career College

    American Career College (ACC) offers training to students interested in pursuing a career in the fast-growing healthcare industry.* ACC’s three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County all offer hands-on training with the same tools and technology found in professional healthcare facilities.

    ACC’s faculty and staff are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. Our faculty members draw upon their own experiences in the healthcare industry to provide our students with in-depth training and education. All programs are a blend of classroom and hands-on training, with many programs ending with an externship in a local healthcare facility.

  • Keiser University

    At Keiser University we are here to help you succeed by providing the professional and academic foundation to meet your educational goals and objectives. Keiser University continues to be a valuable partner to employers, the community, and, above all, a valued choice for students serious about their education and career.