Respiratory Care: What is it?

Decisions

You can live without food for weeks. You can live without water for days. But if you are deprived of air, you will die within minutes.  In terms of live or death, breathing is your most important need.

Many people have trouble breathing. Because of a serious disease or accident, many people have impaired or non-functioning lungs. Respiratory Practitioners are the health care specialists who evaluate and treat patients with breathing disorders.

YOU can make the difference!

The need for Respiratory Care Practitioners is expected to grow above the national average for all job growth. As the number of elderly persons grow, the need for respiratory care will increase as well.

The respiratory care profession has a bright future with a great job outlook and opportunity for advancement. Once you enter the profession you can specialize in an area such as neonatal care, cardiopulmonary support, helicopter transport, critical care, education or management.

Qualifications

If you want to join this exciting field, you must be sensitive to those who have serious physical impairments. You must work well as a member of a team. The ability to pay close attention to detail, and follow instructions independently are prerequisites for practitioners. Since some of the work therapists do center on the equipment you use, you should have an interest in the mechanics of medical technology.

If you want to be a respected, essential member of a health care  team who treats patients from newborns to the elderly, work with advanced technology and sustain lung and breathing activity, then consider Respiratory Care as a profession dedicated to saving and sustaining life!

What do Respiratory Therapists do?

Respiratory Care Practitioners may work in general care , pediatric, and/or adult intensive care units, pulmonary function laboratories, etc. Typical duties include:

Performing physical exams relating to heart and lung function

Performing diagnostic tests for heart and lung function

Administering medical gases and inhaled medications

Performing treatments to expand the lung and clear mucus

Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Monitoring and maintaining patients on life support

Drawing and analyzing arterial blood samples for oxygen levels

Teaching patients methods of managing their diseases and improving their quality of life

Take a moment and view the video . A Matter of Life and Breath This video shows the roles and responsibilities of respiratory care practitioners and interviews with real-life therapists, students, and physicians, and shows the various work settings and types of patients, as well as educational requirements. 6 minute streaming RealMedia file.