Respiratory Therapist Schools

So you want to become a respiratory therapist! Congratulations. You’ve made an excellent career choice.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that respiratory therapy is an occupation that will grow faster than average in the coming decade. But before you can participate in this in-demand occupation, you must be trained by one of the many respiratory schools around the country.

About Respiratory Therapy Schools

Finding a good respiratory therapy school should not be too difficult. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, there were a total of 379 such accredited programs in the United States (as of 2006).

The minimum training that you need to enter this career field is a 2-year associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. But to advance beyond an entry-level position, you will likely need a 4-year bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Many colleges, universities, technical schools, and medical schools offer respiratory therapy programs. You can even find such programs in the Armed Forces.

A good place to start your search for the best respiratory schools is to visit the Committees on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ website. They have the listings for over 350 accredited respiratory therapy programs. With so many respiratory programs to choose from, you are sure to find one that meets all of your needs.

Choosing the Right Respiratory Therapy School

A good indication of the quality of a respiratory therapy program lies in its accreditation. In order for a school to maintain its accreditation status, it has to demonstrate a certain level of academic excellence. It has to prove, for instance, that its courses meet industry standards. By attending an accredited respiratory therapy program, you can be sure that you are receiving the quality of education that you need to enter this demanding field.

Before registering for classes, therefore, make sure that the respiratory therapy program is accredited by one of these two agencies—the Committees on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). .

But accreditation does more than just assure you a quality education. It will determine your ability to work in this profession. To work as a respiratory therapist in any state of the United States—except in Alaska and in Hawaii—you must be licensed. To be eligible to take the licensing exam (called the Certified Respiratory Therapist Exam or CRT), you must have graduated from a respiratory therapy program that has been accredited by the either CAAHEP or the CoARC.

So…

NOT attending a school that has been accredited by one of these two agencies will prevent you from working as a respiratory therapist.

Training for Respiratory Therapist

But whatever respiratory therapy school you choose to attend, you can be sure to receive intensive training in all aspects of respiratory care.

You will take such medical/scientific courses as:

  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy
  • Physics
  • Pharmacology
  • Chemistry
  • Human Anatomy
  • Mathematics

…and such respiratory therapy specific courses as:

  • Medical recordkeeping and reimbursement
  • Diagnostic procedures and tests
  • Clinical practice procedures
  • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Patient Assessment
  • Medical equipment usage