Respiratory Therapist Salary
Are you considering a career as a respiratory therapist? If so, you may wish to learn more about what is involved with this type of work, what training you will need and things of that nature. The job opportunities are very good for this field and hospitals will have the most openings although career opportunities in other settings are becoming more common. Licensing will also be required for most states and the respiratory therapist salary reflects all of these factors.
Respiratory therapists, often referred to as respiratory care practitioners, work with those suffering from cardiopulmonary disorders. Not only will a respiratory therapist diagnose and treat patients, he or she will work with other health care professionals to develop patient care plans. Patients of all ages will be seen and the therapist will be involved in every step of the treatment. Many medications must be administered in the course of these duties and regular assessments will need to be made. Chest physiotherapy is the responsibility of a respiratory therapist also and the therapist is responsible for teaching patients and caregivers how to properly use life-support systems.
Respiratory Therapist Salary
The average respiratory therapist salary is something else you may wish to consider before pursuing a career in this field. As of May 2008, the median annual wages of one in this field were $52,200. Those in the middle 50% earned $44,490 to $61,720. Consider this when determining if this is the career for you as you want something that you enjoy which can also help to support your family.
Respiratory Therapist Certification, Training and Education
In order to become a respiratory therapist, you must obtain a minimum of an associate degree. This type of training is awarded at many schools across the country including colleges, medical schools and vocational schools. Courses that will be studied include anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology and physiology among others. Once formal training has been completed, all states other than Hawaii and Alaska require that you obtain a license. In addition, CPR certification is a requirement for most employers. Licensure is obtained through the National Board for Respiratory Care and two types are awarded. You may choose to pursue the Certified Respiratory Therapist license or the Registered Respiratory Therapist license.
Job Growth Outlook For Respiratory Therapists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for respiratory therapists are expected to grow by about 21% between 2008 and 2018. This is fantastic rate of growth and is much faster than the average for jobs in in the United States.
Because of the increasing number of elderly people in the country demand for qualified personnel in this career area are going to be quite high. Those with the best training will not surprisingly have the best chance at landing the best positions. A bachelor’s degree and the proper certification for your state will give you the best opportunity moving forward so be sure to do some further research online into education, training and certification. Good luck!
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