Job Duties

Working Conditions/Requirements

Education & Preparation

Job Openings & Entry Method

Earnings & Advancement

Employment & Outlook

Sources of Additional Information

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians, directed by physicians, treat patients who have difficulty breathing because of various cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) problems. The heart and lung systems are interrelated, so problems in one area usually affect the other. The treatment may range from temporary or long-term therapy for patients with lung disorders such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or pneumonia to emergency care for victims of heart failure, chest injuries, stroke, shock, premature birth, or post-surgical complications.  

JOB DUTIES   

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians may:

Review prescriptions from physicians to determine the required treatment

Plan the treatment procedures and explain them to patients

Set up and operate equipment such as mechanical ventilators, oxygen, and other therapeutic gas and mist inhalation equipment, including tents, masks, catheters, and incubators, to administer prescribed doses of medicinal gases and drugs (aerosols)

Adjust controls on the equipment to regulate gas pressure, breathing cycle, or amount of inhalant and set the necessary alarm systems in conjunction with the equipment

Monitor patients undergoing treatment and notify medical or nursing personnel of any harmful reaction

Demonstrate to patients and their families how to use the equipment at home

Instruct patients in how to do special breathing exercises designed to clear the lungs of fluid

Conduct diagnostic tests of patients' cardiopulmonary functions

Prepare and maintain records on each patient with the type, length, and patient response to treatment

Inspect and test equipment and order repairs and materials

Clean, sterilize, and make minor repairs to equipment

Enforce safety rules

To view Respiratory Therapist at work click here .

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians may specialize in these areas:

076.361-014 RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS, directed by physicians, treat patients who have difficulty breathing because of various cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) problems. The heart and lung systems are interrelated, so problems in one area usually affect the other. The treatment may range from temporary or long-term therapy for patients with lung disorders such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or pneumonia to emergency care for victims of heart failure, chest injuries, stroke, shock, premature birth, or post- surgical complications.

RESPIRATORY TECHNICIANS perform essentially the same duties as Respiratory Therapists. However, Respiratory Therapists are expected to have a higher level of expertise and generally are prepared to handle more complex cases. Also, Respiratory Therapists may frequently perform supervisory, administrative, teaching, and consulting duties.

078.262-010 PULMONARY-FUNCTION TECHNICIANS perform pulmonary (lung) function, lung-capacity, and blood-and-oxygen tests to gather data for medical evaluation. Respiratory Technicians explain specified methods of breathing to patients and conduct such tests as helium dilution, spirometry, vital capacity, lung diffusion, and maximum breathing capacity. Some also make preliminary analyses of test data and present their findings to a supervisor. These tests help physicians evaluate lung function, determine if prescribed therapy is working, and detect the presence and extent of disease.

Other Respiratory Therapists and Technicians specialize in the care of particular age groups, such as adults, children, or newborn babies.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following Career Exploration scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Respiratory Therapists may supervise and be assisted in performing their work by Respiratory Therapy Technicians and assistants.  Some Respiratory Therapists' tasks may include cardiopulmonary procedures such as taking electrocardiograms and administering stress tests as well as drawing blood samples from patients.  In the absence of registered therapists, certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians may supervise other respiratory therapy personnel.  

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians usually work in hospitals in clean, comfortable surroundings. However, they often work under emergency conditions to help start or maintain a patient's breathing. They have a great deal of responsibility caring for patients who are critically ill and must exercise careful judgment. They also have a great deal of responsibility for working with and maintaining very expensive equipment. Hazards are involved in working with pressurized gas sources or electrical equipment.

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians usually work a 40-hour, 5-day week. Because hospitals operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they may work evenings, weekends, or holidays. Those who are employed by home care services must travel to patients' homes to provide respiratory care.

Respiratory Therapists and Technicians may belong to associations, such as The American Association for Respiratory Care and its local affiliates, and/or employee organizations where they work. Members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with and helping people

• Doing scientific and technical work

You Should Be Able To:

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Keep calm in emergencies and work well under pressure

• Communicate well in speech and writing

• Make decisions based on standards which can be measured or checked

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Calculate the amount of water in a sample of air that has a relative humidity of 54% at 30 degrees Celsius under standard pressure conditions. The capacity of air at 30 degrees Celsius is 32 torr.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema alter V/Q ratios and produce hypoxemia in certain classic situations such as acute asthmatic and clue bloater with chronic bronchitis.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written analysis on an asthma patient regarding response to treatment.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Must demonstrate excellent analytical skills when treating a patient and observing response to treatment.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Respiratory Therapist for specific licensing information.  

                                                                                                                            [back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate's Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four year of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for the respiratory care practitioner position. A Bachelor's Degree can increase a Respiratory Therapist's base pay and enhance competitiveness for positions such as disease or case manager, clinical educator, supervisor, departmental director, medical equipment marketer, clinical specialist and pharmaceutical representative.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for the occupations in this Career Exploration script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH, 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

  ***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

 There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

083 RESPIRATORY THERAPY

Programs in Respiratory Therapy provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment helping patients who have breathing problems through treatment, care, and rehabilitation.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

• Clinical Practice is usually done at a hospital.

    Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

  ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration script.

  ***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at  http://www.todaysmilitary.com .

MEDICAL CARE TECHNICIANS

The military provides medical care to all men and women in the services. Medical care technicians work with teams of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to provide treatment to patients. They help give patients the care and treatment required to help them recover from illness or injury. They also prepare rooms, equipment, and supplies in hospitals and medical clinics.

What They Do

Medical care technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Provide bedside care in hospitals, including taking the body temperature, pulse, and respiration rate of patients

• Feed, bathe, and dress patients

• Prepare patients, operating rooms, equipment, and supplies for surgery

• Make casts, traction devices, and splints according to physicians' instructions

• Give medication to patients under the direction of physicians and nurses

Physical Demands

Some specialties in this area require sufficient strength to lift and move patients, and some require a normal skin condition to guard against infection.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include general science, biology, and psychology. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in helping others

• Ability to work under stressful or emergency conditions

• Ability to follow directions precisely

Work Environment

Medical care technicians work in hospitals and clinics on land or aboard ships. In combat situations, they may work in mobile field hospitals.

Training Provided

Job training consists of classroom instruction, including practice in patient care. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content may include:

• Patient care techniques

• Emergency medical techniques

• Methods of sterilizing surgical equipment

• Plaster casting techniques

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian medical care technicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, or physicians' offices. They perform similar duties to those performed in the military. They may be called nurses aides, orderlies, operating room technicians, orthopedic assistants, or practical nurses.

Opportunities

The exact number of medical care technicians is unknown.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

                                                                                                                   [back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Jobs in hospitals and related facilities as Respiratory Therapy Assistants, nurse aides, or orderlies will provide the opportunity to see and become acquainted with the work of Respiratory Therapists and Technicians. Postsecondary programs in respiratory therapy may offer opportunities for practical experience. Related experience is available through military service also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

 informal apprenticeships

 mentorships

 job shadowing experiences

 touring a local Respiratory Therapists & Technician employer

 internships

 volunteer work with a Respiratory Therapists & Technician employer

 community service work with an agency

Application can be made to hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes for a position as a trained Respiratory Therapist or Technician. Some hospitals offer training programs as well. Assistance in locating job openings may be available from civil service offices, school placement offices, and local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings may be found through newspaper want ads and professional journals. In addition, you should access and search the internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

American Association for Respiratory Care Job Bank

Monster Healthcare

Medical-AdMart

HealthCare Job Bank

RXCareerCenter.com

HealthVault

HealthcareSource

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Ziggs: Free People Search for Professionals

Yahoo!hotjobs

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

                                                                                                                  [back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Respiratory Therapists and Technicians vary depending on their experience, education, and certification, and the type, size, and geographic location of the employer.

Nationally, the annual salaries (early 2007) of Respiratory Therapists employed by hospitals and related institutions were:

Nationally, the median yearly earnings of Respiratory Therapists were $46,592 in 2007. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $36,140 in 2007.

Registered Respiratory Therapists (with AMA-Accredited training) employed by the federal government had salaries ranging from $41,206 to $46,626 per year in 2008. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

In Michigan hospitals, the annual salaries (late 2007) of Registered Respiratory Therapists were:

Respiratory Therapy Technicians employed by the State of Michigan earned from $28,981 to $47,398 per year in early 2008.

Respiratory Therapists usually receive hospitalization and life insurance; paid vacations; sick leave; disability insurance; pension plans; tuition assistance; uniforms; and parking. Benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

A Respiratory Technician may advance to Respiratory Therapist and eventually to Chief Respiratory Therapist. Workers who are registered or certified advance more rapidly than do those without these credentials.

                                                                                                                               [back to top] 

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

About 102,400 Respiratory Therapists and 19,200 Respiratory Therapy Technicians were employed nationally in 2006. Employment of Respiratory Therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. However, the employment for Respiratory Therapy Technicians will have little or no change. The industry distribution for Respiratory Therapists looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator .  

There are approximately 3,450 Respiratory Therapists and 550 Respiratory Therapy Technicians employed in Michigan. Most worked in hospitals. Others worked for nursing homes, clinics, university health centers, and ambulance services, oxygen equipment centers and in respiratory therapy education programs.

Employment of Respiratory Therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 170 annual openings is expected during this period, with 60 due to growth and 110 due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. And employment for Respiratory Therapy Technicians is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 10 annual openings is expected during this period, with most due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.  Some additional openings will occur as workers change occupations.

Advances in the treatment of respiratory ailments, increased acceptance of its use and the need to relieve nurses and other health services personnel from this therapy have increased the need for trained Respiratory Therapists. Older Americans suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease.  As their numbers increase, the need for Respiratory Therapy personnel will increase to treat them as well to treat premature infants (many of whom are dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment).  Because of increasing sophistication of therapeutic procedures for heart and lung disorders and new and improved equipment, opportunities are best for highly trained graduates of accredited programs.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014 - Respiratory Therapists

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

                                                                                                              [back to top]

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth