Blog 7 Respiratory Career

Respiratory Career: Respiratory Therapist

       A respiratory therapist is a person who diagnoses lung and breathing disorders and recommends treatment methods. They also interview patients and do chest exams to properly diagnose and treat. They also analyze breath, tissue, and blood samples to determine levels of oxygen and other gases. They will also manage the ventilators for patients who are unable to breathe on their own, respond to code blues, and provide families with information about lung disease. 

     To become a respiratory therapist you must earn an associates degree or a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. You must also have some hands-on experience and then be licensed and certified. The median salary for a respiratory therapist is about $60,000. Respiratory therapists treat patients suffering from asthma and emphysema through oxygen therapy. They also help patients who have had heart attacks and strokes to recover and breathe normally again.